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CHAPTER EDUCATIONAL REFORM IN THEl970's

In order to diversity Japanese higher education in the future, institutions for higher education must be categorized according to students' qualifications and the number of years required for the completion of an average course of studies. At the same time it is desirable to provide different types of curricula in accordance with the aims and nature of the education. It is also necessary to establish a system where students can easily transfer at will, from one category of institution or one type of curriculum to another.

(1) Category (Provisionally to be called "University")

(2) This category would include institutions of higher education providing three or four years of education for graduates from upper secondary schools. The following types of curricula are to be offered by institutions within this category:

(A) Comprehensive curriculum, providing professional knowledge and skills for those careers, which are not particularly specialized.

(B) Academic curriculum, developed in accordance with the academic system of each discipline, systematically providing basic academic knowledge and skills.

(C) Occupational curriculum, providing the theoretical and technical training required for particular professional occupations so as to provide students with the qualifications or abilities for those occupations.

(2) Category (Provisionally to be called "Junior College")

Institutions within this category will offer shorter curricula, in principle, two years of education, to graduates from upper secondary schools. The following types of curricula are to be offered within this category:

(A) Comprehensive curriculum, aimed at giving students whose future careers will not be too specialized, the necessary cultural background to be good citizens in the society.

(B) Occupational curriculum, providing knowledge and skills required by particular professional occupations to provide students with the qualifications and abilities for these occupations.

(3) Category (Provisionally to be called "Technical College")

Institutions in this category are to provide higher education over five concurrent years for those who have finished lower secondary education, enabling students to acquire the qualifications or abilities necessary for particular professional occupations or for other specific purposes.

(4) Category (Provisionally to be called "Graduate School") Institutions in this category are to provide an advanced academic education of two or three years' duration in specific fields, either for those who have graduate from institutions within Category I or for those who are recognized to have ability equivalent to or higher than the former. They are also to provide re-education at this advanced level for people in general.

(5) Category (Provisionally to be called "Research Center")

Institutions in this category are to provide opportunities for research and training, and research guidance for those who want to pursue an advanced level of academic research worthy of a doctor's degree.