News On Japan

Japan tries, again, to stop its universities from sliding down global rankings

But researchers fear new law aimed at boosting six top universities could create fresh problems

Dec 30 (science.org) - Twenty years ago, five universities in Japan were among the world’s top 100, according to an annual compilation by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy. The University of Tokyo led the contingent in 19th place, with Kyoto University 30th.

But by this year, Tokyo had tumbled to 27th and Kyoto to 39th despite repeated efforts to keep the universities globally competitive. The other three schools dropped out of the top 100 entirely.

Now, Japan’s government has launched yet another effort to reverse the widely recognized decline. This month, lawmakers approved legislation that requires six top-ranked universities to establish new management policy councils designed to give outside experts a greater voice in decisions. The councils, which will include the university president and at least three members independent of the school, will weigh in on “significant operational policies and oversee the execution of the president’s duties,” the education ministry’s higher education bureau said in a statement. And Masahito Moriyama, Japan’s education and science minister, has asserted that the measure will “enhance education and research.”

But critics fear the councils will only add to already cumbersome university bureaucracies and push academic scientists to emphasize applied research. And because Moriyama’s ministry will vet council members, they worry the new law will erode university autonomy and open the door to political meddling. The councils will lead to “increasingly complex and mysterious decision-making,” predicted sociologist Ryosuke Nishida of the Tokyo Institute of Technology in a critique published by The Asahi Shimbun, a prominent Japanese news outlet.

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

The Japanese government has decided to expand its tuition-free high school program this spring. Public high school tuition is now completely free regardless of household income, and starting next academic year, the scope of support for private schools will also be broadened.

Shuri Castle, a symbol of Okinawa's Ryukyu heritage, suffered extensive damage in a devastating fire in October 2019 that destroyed the main hall and many other structures. The cause of the blaze remains unknown.

A deepening labor shortage in Japan’s construction industry is beginning to impact homebuyers, with some experiencing delays of more than six months before construction can even begin due to a lack of available carpenters.

The Imperial Household Agency launched an official YouTube channel on April 1st to introduce the activities of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

Japan's new fiscal year began on April 1st, with companies across the country holding entrance ceremonies to welcome new employees.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Education NEWS

Kyushu University held its entrance ceremony on April 3rd, welcoming 2,594 new undergraduate students. As many begin living alone for the first time, they face rising living costs, with average monthly allowances increasing slightly to 72,350 yen.

When the sun sets in the world’s most captivating cities, a different kind of elegance emerges. For the refined traveler who craves more than the ordinary, cities like Tokyo and Dubai transform into luxurious playgrounds where fantasies take flight under the moonlight.

When the sun sets in the world’s most captivating cities, a different kind of elegance emerges. For the refined traveler who craves more than the ordinary, cities like Tokyo and Dubai transform into luxurious playgrounds where fantasies take flight under the moonlight.

The Osaka Prefectural Board of Education has decided to move the general entrance exam date for public high schools to March 1st, starting three years from now.

The Imperial Household Agency announced that Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of the Akishino family, who will begin his studies at the University of Tsukuba this spring, will have a private apartment prepared near the university for potential solo living.

A cultural event at JR Asahikawa Station on Friday introduced children to traditional Ainu dance, aiming to preserve the heritage of Japan’s indigenous people.

Uragawa Elementary School in Tenryu Ward, Hamamatsu City, closed its doors after 151 years, marking the end of an era for the Uragawa district. Established in 1874, the school was the last remaining elementary school in the area, where there were once four.

"My horoscope tells me about my strengths and weaknesses, the best and worst parts of my personality, how my day is going, and who I am most connected with... it can even help me make smart decisions, like whether to date Todd."