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PART Issues and Perspectives of Higher Education

In the history of Japan's modernization, from the very beginning of the Meiji Restoration, efforts in the various sectors of society were focused on catching up with, and getting ahead of, the models of Western advanced countries. Japan has achieved a great development both economically and socially, and today the stage of its development can be comparable to that of many others advanced countries, which have been its models for a long time.

This fact means that today no definite model is existing to be followed by Japan. In the age of fluidity and uncertainty, Japan will need to explore its own new course on the basis of its own ideas, while learning something from other countries. The very same thing can be said of scientific research as well.

Higher education in universities and other institutions has greatly contributed not only to the improvement of scientific research but also to the development of the economy and society of Japan. Now Japan is undergoing various social changes, such as internationalization in various sectors, the aging of the population, and the diversification of life styles and the dissemination of information technology. In this context, if Japan is to maintain and further develop its affluent and energetic society, the role of higher education in the promotion of scientific research and the training of qualified manpower will be increasingly important.

As mentioned in Chapter 2 of Part I, higher education in Japan is confronted with various important issues including: the qualitative improvement of educational and research activities; the development of unique and distinctive educational programs at each university; the diversification of the structures and programs of individual institutions; the expanding of the functions of higher education institutions as places of lifelong learning: and the internationalization of universities. If institutions of higher education are to cope adequately with the changing times. They are required to carry out positive reforms and pursue new patterns of higher education.

The National Council on Educational Reform which deliberated Japan's educational system as a whole from 1984 to 1987, pointed out three points as basic principles for the coming educational reform: (1) the principle of placing emphasis on individuality; (2) the transition to a lifelong learning system; and (3) coping with various changes.

At present, the University Council, which was set up in 1987 on the basis of there commendation of the National Council on Educational Reform, is deliberating on "specific strategies for developing heightened, vitalized and more unique activities in education and research at individual institutions of higher education." Further, the Central Council for Education, which reopened its sessions in April 1989, has been deliberating on various issues regarding structures for lifelong learning and regarding reforms of upper secondary education. In connection with the issue of upper secondary education, the Council has been studying how to ensure better articulation between upper secondary and higher education, and in connection with the lifelong learning issue, the Council has been considering the role of institutions of higher education in lifelong learning.

The two Councils will continue their deliberations more extensively. When we summarize the current issues of higher education in Japan, in the light of the deliberations by the Councils, and look forward to the future development of higher education in line with the expectations of the public, the following important directions can be identified: (1) enhancing higher education; (2) developing more distinctive and more diverse activities at individual institutions of higher education;(3) coping with a lifelong learning society; and (4) carrying out energetic educational and research activities, with the aim of achieving the objectives of (l), (2) and (3)continuously and effectively.