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PART Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture

Higher education in Japan has attained a rapid quantitative expansion since the middle of the 1960's, and in recent years, the circumstances surrounding Japanese higher education have been undergoing remarkable changes due to the impact of specific factors, such as: the advancement in scientific research; the development of an internationalized and information oriented society; the change in demographic patterns with 18-year-olds peaking in 1992; the increasing demands of the entire society for lifelong learning.

Considering these changes, the Ministry of Education. Science and Culture has been implementing policies to promote the reform of higher education, in accordance with the recommendations of the University Council, in terms of: the revision of the Standards for the Establishment of Universities and the degree system; the establishment of the National Institution for Academic Degrees; the improvement of higher education institutions; the improvement of procedures for the selection of entrants; and the enrichment of student aid programs.