The role of private universities and JAPUC in Japan～ From the perspective of university governance～～Looking ahead to after COVID-19～

1１．Transition and characteristics ofprivate universities and colleges in Japan2

1. Transition and characteristics of private universities and colleges in Japan (1)Origin of universities in Japan

About 1,400 years ago

A university dormitory established following the Tang dynasty of Emperor Tenji

Dawn of private universities

About 160 years ago（Edo Period～Meiji Period）

Clan school and Shoheizaka

Private School

Only those who have over samurai status wereadmitted the schools aiming to develop humanresources for clans and Tokugawa shogunate.

Responding to citizens’ desire for education of special
skills, knowledge and manners in daily life.

Foundation of private universities

About 140 years ago（Meiji Period）
Special schools based on a private school were successively founded. Volunteers taught languages,common studies and specialized studies to those who have learning mind. These study fields were notefficient in governmental studies.
→

Building a foundation for a modern nation-state by raising the intellectual level of a wide rangeof citizens, rather than government

Rise of private universities

About 60 years ago（Showa Period）

Responding to needs for academic studies, educational opportunities were provided in the period of
population explosion.
→

Providing higher education to more students→

Building a foundation for achieving high economic growth3

1. Transition and characteristics of private universities and colleges in Japan (2)Changes in 18-year-old population, the number ofenrolled students and the rate of enrollment
2,500,000

Changes in the number of enrolled students
and the rate of enrollment
45.0%

45%
40%
Private female

35%
30%

1,500,000

25%

enrollment rate

40.0%
600,000

Public female
Public male
National female
National male

500,000
400,000

35.0%
30.0%
25.0%

Private female

20%
1,000,000

Private female

20.0%

300,000
15%

National male
National female

Public female
Public male0

Private male

Private male
National male
Public male
18 year old population―enrolled students
Private female
National female
Public female

Private female
National female
Public female
Private male
National male
Public male

10%
5%

Private male

200,000
National male
National female

100,000

Public female

0%

15.0%

0

Public male

10.0%
5.0%
0.0%

1960年
1963年
1966年
1969年
1972年
1975年
1978年
1981年
1984年
1987年
1990年
1993年
1996年
1999年
2002年
2005年
2008年
2011年
2014年
2017年

National female

500,000

Public female
Public male
National male
Private female

1960年
1963年
1966年
1969年
1972年
1975年
1978年
1981年
1984年
1987年
1990年
1993年
1996年
1999年
2002年
2005年
2008年
2011年
2014年
2017年

enrolled students

700,000

Private male

2,000,000

Private male

Private male
National female
Private male
National female

Private female
Public male
Private female
Public male

National male
Public female
National male
Public female● Private universities have supported provision of opportunity for higher educationcommensurate with the growing 18-year-old population● In particular, they have played an extremely important role in providing
opportunities for female4

1. Transition and characteristics of private universities and colleges in Japan(3)Numberofschools

Numberofstudents

University
National

86606,449

Public(Local)

93

158,176

Private607

2,154,043

National

00Public(Local)

17

5,741

Private309

107,272

National

51

51,298Public(Local)

3

3,781

Private3

2,045

Junior College

Undergraduate＋Master’s course＋
Doctoral course＋Professional Degree(Number of students)
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0

Undergraduate (Number of students)
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0

College of technology

National

Master’s course (Number of students)

PublicNational

PrivateDoctoral course (Number of students)

PublicPrivateProfessional Degree (Number of students)
12,00060,00050,00040,00030,00020,00010,0000

20,00010,00015,000

8,000
6,000

10,000National

PublicPrivate

4,000

5,000

2,000

0

0

National

PublicPrivateNational

PublicPrivate5

２．Financial costs ofprivate universities and colleges62. Financial costs of private universities and colleges (1)Transition of ordinary expenses subsidies for private university

Private Schools Act

Established in 1949 (Showa 24)【Purpose】 To promote the sound development of Private schools by taking account of their characteristic features, putting a high value on
their autonomy, and enhancing their public nature.

Act on Subsidies for Private Schools

Established in 1975 (Showa 50)【Purpose】 To maintain and improve the educational conditions of private schools, reduce the financial burden on students in private
schools, and enhance sound governance of private schools by prescribing subsidies for private schools from national and local
governments in view of the important role played by private schools in school education. Consequently, to promote the sounddevelopment of private schools.
Article 4
The State may subsidize a school corporation that establishes a university or a college of technology within half of the ordinary
expenses related to education or research at the school.

Basic Act on Education
Article 8

Established in 1947(Showa 22) All revisions in 2006 (Heisei 18)
Taking into account the public nature of privately established schools and their important role in school education, the national andlocal governments shall endeavor to encourage private school education through subsidies and other appropriate means, while
respecting school autonomy.

30,000(UNIT:JYE 100million)

Transition of Ordinary expenses , Ordinary expenses subsidy and subsidy rate

29,469

30.0%

29.5%
25,00025.0%

20,00020.0%

15,00010,000

15.0%

Enactment of Act
on Subsidies forPrivate Schools

9.7%
10.0%

Establishmentof subsidies

5,000

3,312.5

3,153.0 5.0%
0.0%

1970年
1971年
1972年
1973年
1974年
1975年
1976年
1977年
1978年
1979年
1980年
1981年
1982年
1983年
1984年
1985年
1986年
1987年
1988年
1989年
1990年
1991年
1992年
1993年
1994年
1995年
1996年
1997年
1998年
1999年
2000年
2001年
2002年
2003年
2004年
2005年
2006年
2007年
2008年
2009年
2010年
2011年
2012年
2013年
2014年
2015年
2016年
2017年

0

Ordinary expenses subsidy

Ordinary expenses

Subsidy rate7

2. Financial costs of private universities and colleges (2) Purpose of certification evaluation system
Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA)○ University Standards
The University Standards serve as criteria for university accreditation conducted by the Japan University Accreditation Association. They also serve as a
guideline for the university to maintain appropriate standards and enhance its potential○ University Standards Rationale
Universities use the Standards as criteria
・ For conducting thorough self-study
・ For universities aspiring to full JUAA membership, the standards direct their endeavors to improving their organization
・ Full members verify their day-to-day operations against the standards to enhance their development
Each item in the University Standards has been designed to respect the autonomy of the institution in accordance with its mission and standing, while
pointing out matters requiring attention for universities to fulfill their role

National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education (NIAD-QE)○ In order to maintain and enhance the quality of higher education and research at universities in Japan and contribute to the development of theirindividuality and diversity, NIAD-QE conducts the institutional certified evaluation and accreditation of universities for the following purposes and policies
・ To assure the quality of education and research of universities
・ To enhance the quality of education and research of universities in keeping with their respective missions, promote improvement, and develop
their strengths
・ To assist universities in gaining public understanding of and support for their education and research activities

Japan Institution for Higher Education Evaluation (JIHEE)○ Evaluation Objectives
The evaluations conducted by JIHEE at the behest of the institutions of higher education are implemented in accordance with the following objectives forthe purpose of contributing to the further development of the universities of Japan.
・ To evaluate the overall situation of educational and research activities of institutions of higher education, on the basis of the Evaluation Standards
developed by JIHEE taking into consideration the analysis of the results of Self-Inspection and Evaluation; and to verify the Self-Inspection and
Evaluation and to support the institutions’ efforts to strengthen internal quality assurance on their own initiative.
・ To assist and promote the autonomous development of educational and research activities on each institution’s individuality and distinctive
qualities through evaluation that considers the institution’s individuality and distinctive qualities.
・ To provide support that enables institutions of higher education to attain the backing of the general public through appropriate disclosure of theoverall state of their educational and research activities.

Respect for independence and autonomy
Respect, support and promotion of individuality
Acquisition of understanding and support from society

8

2. Financial costs of private universities and colleges (3)Disparity between national universities and private universities
Difference in annual tuition fees
between private universities andnational universities

Government burden and Householdburden on annual educational expenses(per student)（UNIT:JYE10thousand)

250（UNIT:JYE10thousand)
140
120

150

25%

100

194

120

50

100

20%
80

15

0

Government(UNIT:JYE1thousand
8,700 )

Household

Average of annual household income

8,610

10%

20

5%
PrivateUniversity

8,390

8,400

8,340

8,300

8,230
8,260

8,200

1.8％

0%

National
University

Private
私立大学
University

National
国立大学
University

Average tuition fees
UNIT:JYE10thousand

8,100
8,000
7,900
7,800

15%

40

0

8,650

8,500

54

60

Private University National University

8,600

29.6％

30%

122

万

54

200

Percentage of students receiving
tuition reduction / exemption
measures（2014）

7,920

7,920

8,010
7,990

7,810

7,800

7,700
2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

2014

National University Student (NUS)
Private University Student (PUS)※Made by JAPUC based on the "Student Life Survey Results (Japan Student
Services Organization)"

Humanities and Social Science99

Science and engineering

137

Medicine and Dentistry

520

Pharmacy

185

Others118

9

2. Financial costs of private universities and colleges (4) Free higher education

The national measure of tuition reduction / exemption～2019

SupporttargetAnnual income basis:- Salaried workers
8.41 million or less (JYE)- Other than salaried workers 3.55 million or less (JYE)【Example】
Private University
tuition fees（annual)
1.22 million (JYE)
Government support
0.61 million (JYE)
University support and Student burden 0.61 million (JYE)

AmountofSupport2020～- Students in household untaxed resident tax- Students in similar household to the above（Guideline）
Annual income basis :① 2.70 million or less (JYE)② 3.00 million or less (JYE)③ 3.80 million or less (JYE)【Example】
１．Private University
tuition fees（annual) 1.22 million (JYE)① Government support
0.70 million (JYE)
University support and Student burden 0.52 million (JYE)② Government support
0.47 million (JYE)
University support and Student burden 0.75 million (JYE)③ Government support
0.23 million (JYE)
University support and Student burden 0.99 million (JYE)
２．National University
tuition fees（annual) 0.54million (JYE)① Government support
0.54 million (JYE)
University support and Student burden 0
million (JYE)② Government support
0.36 million (JYE)
University support and Student burden 0.18 million (JYE)③ Government support
0.18 million (JYE)
University support and Student burden 0.36 million (JYE)

102. Financial costs of private universities and colleges (5)Financial status（Excluding corporate departments, affiliated hospitals and research institutes）

１．Most of the income is payment from students(payment x number of students)

Approx. 78%

２．The majority of expenditure is personnel expenses(salary x number of faculty and staff)
Approx. 53%
３．Education and research expenses have increased
because of sophistication and fragmentation of them
※ Trends of the expenses for a student in last 30 years

Education and research expenses
Payment from student
Personnel expenses
Subsidies

2.6 times
1.5 times
1.5 times
1.0 times"Who and how will the funds needed for future university
management be borne?"11

3. Issues surrounding
private universities and colleges123. Issues surrounding private universities and colleges (1)Socio-economic issues

Growth （production） ＝ Productivity per person × Labor population（Working-age population forecast）（GDP per capita in Japan）（Labor productivity in Japan）

No. 2 in the world→NO.22

The lowest in the G7（1993）（2016）（2015）

80 million → 40 million（2016）（2060）（The rate of labor population in Japan）

59.3% （USA 62.5%）（2013）＜Current＞＜Predicted appearance in 2060＞
Population structure (2060)

Population structure (2013)
Age

Total

０～14

15～64

65 and
over

Age

Total

０～14

15～64

65 andover

Population(million)

127.3

16.39

79.01

31.90

Population(million)

86.74

7.91

44.18

34.64

Percentage

－

12.9%

62.1%

25.1%

Percentage

－

9.1%

50.9%

39.9%

GDP of each country in the world GDP (2060)

GDP of each country in the world GDP (2011）

Japan

USA

Euroz
one

6.7%

22.7%

17.1%

Other
OECD
countr
ies

China

India

Other

Japan

18.2%

17.0%

6.6%

11.7%

3.2%

USA

Euroz
one

Other
OECD
countr
ies

China

India

Other

16.3%

8.8%

14.0%

27.8%

18.2%

11.7%

13

3. Issues surrounding private universities and colleges (2)Public financial expenditure in higher education: Public burden of educational expenses and labor productivity

140,000

175
155

United States

100,000

Italy

80,000Japan

135

OECD average France
Germany

115

CanadaUnitedKingdom95

United States
France60,000Japan
20,000

UnitedKingdom
Canada35

OECD average

0

15
2.5
3.5
4.5
5.5
Ratio of public expenditure for education to GDP

Created based upon data from・Total expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP：OECD
Labor productivity per capita :ILO
Labor productivity per hour：UNESCO※Excluding Luxembourg among OECD member countries. All figures for 2016.

●

75 Ｕ
Ｓ
＄
55

Germany

40,000

6.5

Labor productivity per hour

Labor productivity per capita
ＵＳ＄

120,000

Ratio of tax and social insurance premium to national income
And Ratio of public expenditure for education to GDP【OECD countries】

6.5％

Ratio of public expenditure for education to GDP●

Ratio of public expenditure for education to GDP
and Labor productivity【OECD countries】

％

6

5.5

5

FranceCanadaOECD average
UnitedUnited States
Kingdom

4.5

4Germany
3.5

3

Japan

Italy

2.5
20

30

40

50

60

Ratio of tax and social insurance premium to national income

70％

Created based upon data from
Ratio of tax and social insurance premium to national income ：Ministry of Finance of Japan
Ratio of public expenditure for education to GDP：OECD※Excluding Luxembourg among OECD member countries. All figures for 2016.

There is a positive correlation between the ratio of publicly
expenditure for education to GDP and labor productivity of eachcountry.

14

3. Issues surrounding private universities and colleges (3)＜Issues related to higher education＞
Declining birthrate and aging population, Widening educational inequality due to economic inequality, Securing human resources to support
Society 5.0, Decline in international competitiveness due to delays in globalization and IT, Unsatisfied capacity of local private universities,
Ensuring the quality of education, University governance, etc.

＜National policy for higher education＞
Education for well-connection between high school and university（Entrance examination reform）, Tighter student quota management,
Capacity restrictions for universities in the 23 wards of Tokyo, Annual training plan for 250,000 AI human resources, Graduate school education
reform（Development of highly specialized human resources）, Enhanced internal quality assurance system and certification evaluation, Free
higher education, etc.

☛

Issues in higher education got obvious by COVID-19＜Main issues with COVID-19＞○ Need to review national financial supports for online education and regulations that prevent it※National expenses for online education Approximately 7.6 billion yen for private universities, etc.
※Limitations on the number of credits earned through online education（Upper limit 60 credits）※"Standards per student" regarding the area of school sites and buildings○ Relaxation of immigration restrictions for international students

New educational prospects○○

The combination of face-to-face and online education could give more learning options to students
New education methods by going online could create international cooperation as well as university cooperation between rural and urban areas＜Issues in higher education policy－From the perspective of stricter student quotas－＞
The stricter enrollment capacity that began in 2018 has given a major impact to large universities located in metropolitan areas○ Tighter enrollment capacity has maintained and expanded the shortcoming of universities in Japan, which are "difficult to enter but easy tograduate"○ There is a contradiction with the entrance examination policy that emphasizes the ability to judge with one’s own mind and recruitment not
only examination score○ It is required to establish an Annual training plan for 250,000 AI human resources and an education system suitable for the new age, but it isprohibited to establish new faculties or departments of universities in the 23 wards of Tokyo over the next 10 years in principle. It is difficult
15
for them to promote bold reforms and reorganizations

4. Role of private universities and colleges,
and activities of JAPUC

16

4. Role of private universities and colleges, and activities of JAPUC (1)The Japan Association of Private Universities and Colleges (JAPUC) was established in 1951 by 24
private universities●

Currently, 111 corporations (125 universities) are members●

President
Akira
HASEYAMA
Vice Presidents Osamu MURATA
Yoshiaki TERUMICHI

Keio University
Kwansei Gakuin University
Sophia University● The ratio of member universities to all private universities is only about 20%. However, the numberof students and the scale of business activity income account for approx. 50% (many universities are
relatively large)● By regions, universities in Kanto region account for 50% of all members and universities in Kinki
region account for 20%. Many universities are in the metropolitan area and urban areas.

● Approximately 300 faculties and staffs from member universities have annually collaborated andoperated 35 committees in JAPUC

MissionVisionWe guarantee the uniqueness ofeach member university based on
the founding spirit and thediversity of private universities, andcontribute to strengthening thefoundation to foster human beings
who will contribute to the futureof humankind

While new social goals such as Society 5.0 and SDGs areset, we will further improve the social evaluation of thesignificance and role of private universities
Furthermore, with the aim of sustainable developmentof private universities through the improvement of thequality of education, we will strengthen the policy
proposal function and information dissemination / sharing
function based on research, information analysis incollaboration with member cooperation

17

4. Role of private universities and colleges, and activities of JAPUC (2)Petitions concerning COVI-19 to the government （2020.3～2020.7）○ Support for students in financial distress, middle-income earners, etc.
○ Establishing a system for promoting remote teaching（Improving student’s network environment, strengthening information system, etc. ）○ Support for infection prevention and hygiene management○ Job hunting for those who will graduate from a university in 2020
○ Deregulation of required practical training for the national examination○ Relaxation of some system such as management of student capacity, survey of the number of students, and every
procedure etc.
○ Support for research on infectious disease prevention and medical system○ Careful consideration of the transition to admission in September○ Review of university establishment standards and relevant laws
JAPUC has actively asked not only the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology but also related
ministries, members of parliament, and the media to understand our petitions.
In June, we formulated the “policy package for COVID-19” including twelve urgent issues and six medium-to long-term issues
from four perspectives, “Guarantee of learning and student support”, “Support for research and medical system”, “Measures
to promote globalization and education for working adults” and “Deregulation”

Petition to the Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Petition to the Ministry of JusticeMeeting with mass media officials

18

4. Role of private universities and colleges, and activities of JAPUC (3)Recent major activities

Ⅰ．Compilation of requests related to government budget for private universities
and activities for realizing it (every year)
Ⅱ．Function as a think tank
１．Policy proposals○「Strengthening and improving private universities’ research basein the field of science and engineering」○「Information disclosure of private universities (interim report) 」○「Governance Code for Private Universities」○「Employment and recruitment in a new age, and university education」○「Toward regional revitalization in which local communities
and private universities work together」○「Future vision of a private university leading the future」

2019
2019
2018
2018
2018
2017
etc.

２．Spreading our opinions for government to society○ Opinions on national higher education policy○ Opinions on student capacity management

etc.

Ⅲ．Providing opportunities for information exchange and training○ Providing nine training programs for university faculty and staff○ Holding five meetings for university executives such as “Chair Meeting” and the “President Meeting”
19

4. Role of private universities and colleges, and activities of JAPUC (4)Looking ahead to after COVID-19, going toward DX (Digital Transformation) and SDGs

Looking ahead to after COVID-19,
going toward DX (Digital Transformation) and SDGs●

In Japan, universities and industry have co-agreed
about the necessity of human resources withcompetence to conceive of social systems based on
logical thinking and normative judgement.
● What should be fostered by university education is“Not only contribution to current age, but also thecompetence to find out what is benefit for people,
society and environment, to continue thinking, tocorrespond to changes, and to show creativity toward agoal despite any social changes.” Universities are
required to cultivate the competence.

Enhancing functions of higher education
through the dynamism of diverse
education and research204. Role of private universities and colleges, and activities of JAPUC (5)The roles to be played by private universities
Issue in Japan
Declining birthrate and aging
population (Declining labor
population)

Widening educational inequality(negative chain) due to economic
inequality

Slow economic growth

Creating an environment anyone can learn
anything, anytime

Measures to be taken
Raising the intellectual level of the citizens

Fostering basic skills to continuelearning independently

Equal opportunity to go on to university

Essential higher education policy

Reducing student’s financial burden
on studies

Breaking away from dependence
on household burden

Ensuring diversity of humanresources to support Society
5.0

Improving the sound governanceof private university

Careful study support corresponding to ability and financial situation

Decline in international
competitiveness due to delays inglobalization and IT

Improving labor productivity
Maintenance (reshaping) of the profound anddiverse mesosphere ≠ construction of the elite class

Fostering independent and insightful thinking skills
Improvement of education and research

Guarantee / Promotion of various educationaland research activities

１）Ensuring autonomy（Clarification of educational and research
objectives, Gaining understanding）
２）Ensuring publicity（Fostering excellent human resources, Contribution tosociety）

The role to be played by private universities●Fostering skills and minds to boldly tackle unknown problems andformulate innovative solutions●Creating environment to continue learning throughout life
●Guaranteeing opportunities that all citizens can improve their abilities
through higher education

３）Ensuring reliability and transparency（Compliance with laws andregulations, Social contributions, Substantiation of supervisory function by theboard of directors, Development of fraud prevention system, Active
information disclosure）
４）Ensuring continuity（Substantiation of various systems related touniversity governance, Autonomous university governance, Stabilization offinancial base, Strengthening the management base）

Providing various educational programs in private universities that
nurture 80% of university students

21

from 『JAPUC Governance Code for Private Universities』