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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPAMESE GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN EDUCATION,SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1990 > PART1 Chapter3 6 2

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PART 1 Issues and Perspectives ofHigher Education
Chapter 3 Direction of Higher Education Reform
6 Activated Programs in Education and Research
2 Reinforcing Financial Resources


In the coming years, universities and other institutions of higher education will need to cope adequately with such tasks as the promotion of scientific research and the strengthening of their educational functions in keeping up with the diversification of the characteristics and qualities of the students.

It has been pointed out, however, that since the middle of the 1970's, the total budget for building expenditures for national universities has been decreasing and that the level of the provision of research facilities and equipment for national universities is not sufficient, and it is very often inferior to that for research institutes in the private sector. There is serious concern about the fact that university students going on to graduate school to become prospective researchers have been decreasing due to the unfavorable physical and other conditions of educational and research activities at graduate schools.

Universities provide a sound basis for the development of the nation by promoting basic scientific research and by developing qualified human resources. In the international community today, there is an increasing expectation that Japan will contribute to this community by maintaining and developing high-level scientific research and by cooperating with other countries in manpower development.

From this point of view, in order not only to develop a sound basis for the further development of the nation but also to carry out Japan's responsibilities in the international community, the government needs to give full consideration to the enhancement of the conditions of educational and research activities at universities by providing these institutions with adequate facilities and equipment, and by other means.

Further, in Japan the number of private universities, junior colleges and other institutions of higher education account for more than 70% of all institutions of higher education in the country, and enrollment in these private institutions also accounts for more than 70% of total enrollment in higher education. Private institutions have been providing society with a great many excellent working people in response to the diversified and heightened demands of society. Considering the important role-played by private institutions, the stability of the financial basis of these institutions and the improvement of their educational and research activities are very important for the whole higher education system in Japan. For this reason, while private institutions are expected to make se1f-supporting financial efforts, the government needs to strive to promote financial assistance to these institutions.

Further, in many countries in Europe and North America, there are various student aid programs such as free tuition and scholarships (in the form of grants) to support students' education and daily life, In Japan, scholarships (in the forms of loans and grants) and complete or partial exemption from tuition fees play a major role in student aid programs. It is necessary for the government to expand its scholarship programs, taking account of the necessity for alleviating students' financial burdens for their own education and, in particular, giving due consideration to the improvement of the financial and other conditions of the educational and research activities of graduate students who are expected to become excellent promising researchers.

If Japan is to maintain and further develop its own vitality in the future, the government needs to pay full attention to increasing public expenditures for higher education which plays a major role in promoting scientific research and in developing qualified human resources, while taking account of severe financial circumstances. The government also needs to strive to make the allotment of higher education budget proper, selective and efficient, with a view to ensuring the qua1itative improvement of higher education. Besides, it is desirable that, in accordance with the nature of each institution (e.g.. national institution. local public institution, or private institution), individual universities develop such conditions as will facilitate the securing of diverse financial sources, including funds from the private sector, and that, utilizing these diverse resources, they reinforce a sound financial basis needed to improve their educational programs autonomously.


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