Abstract
This article provides an overview on the trends of international competition by the universities and the state governments under the increased influence of world university rankings. The author also examines the trials to establish "world-class universities" mainly focusing on these in the emerging economies, and then, argues on the challenges that top universities in Japan and other matured countries are facing with. Finally, the author discusses on the current status and future direction of international linkage and collaboration in higher education in Asian region, where Japanese higher education no longer has a distinguished status.
