Basic Information of the Institution Ownership: Private Location: Tokyo, Japan Accreditation Status Year of the Review: 2012 Accreditation Status: accredited (Accreditation Period: April 1, 2013 – March 31, 2020) Related Links Asia University: http://www.asia-u.ac.jp/english/ Full Text of the Accreditation Results (in Japanese): http://www.juaa.or.jp/accreditation/university/result_2012.html Accreditation Standards, Process and other related information (in English): http://www.juaa.or.jp/en/accreditation/university.html

Notable Strengths
Faculty and faculty organization ● It is highly commendable that faculty groups at Asia University engage in active research on faculty development (FD), which the university supports financially. These groups are comprised of faculty members from various Faculties who engage in continuous and enthusiastic FD research in improving teaching methods, helping students hunt for jobs, supporting challenged students, making good use of e-learning, and encouraging students to prepare for and revise coursework. Faculty members share the fruits of their research through the FD Newsletter, published three times a year. Educational content, methods, and outcome ● It is commendable that the university makes efforts to motivate students to study abroad and enhances their ability to communicate in English. In particular, native English speakers from the university’s Center for English Language Education (CELE) teach English I and II, which are university-wide courses for first-year students. These 45-minute classes called “Freshman English” (FE) are taught five times per week and have small class sizes. ● The university's attempts to enhance mutual understanding between students and the local community are commendable in their benefits to student education and learning. The public can participate in a university-wide Machizukuri Miraijuku (Community Planning Workshop) course. Discussions among students and those from the community enhance urban planning. ● It is commendable that the university makes efforts to improve the students' practical English and promotes their understanding of f oreign cultures. In particular, the Faculty of International Relations has developed study abroad programs such as the Asia Yume College and AUAP, requiring students to study for five months in the United States. There is a significant improvement in TOEIC scores after students return from the United States. It is also commendable that the Faculty has made constant self-study of and improvements to its study abroad programs. In recent years, educational content to support prior preparation and follow up of study abroad has been implemented. ● It is commendable that the Faculty of Business Administration helps the students visualize the path from university enrollment to graduation to employment in society, enhancing their motivation to study hard. In particular, the Faculty of Business Administration has developed the Career Accredited Mileage System based on five basic abilities that serve as the foundation for employment. Students self-evaluate these five abilities throughout their four years at the university. Social cooperation and social contribution ● It is unique and commendable that the university works in close cooperation with Musashino City, neighboring municipal governments, and other universities in the vicinity. For example, the University of Musashino Chiiki Jiyu is a compendium of Musashino City and five universities in the area, jointly offering courses and open lectures that are attended by many from the local community. Asia University plays a critical role in organizing the Musashino Business Administration Workshop held on Saturdays for elementary and junior high school students, offering a hands-on educational program. The university plays a pivotal role in Mitaka Network University, organizing joint lecture events with academic associations and corporations. Furthermore, the Regional Exchange Office and student staff members actively support volunteer student activities in the community, which enhances awareness of volunteer work among students.
Suggestions for Improvement
Educational content, methods, and outcome ● The Department of Business Administration in the Faculty of Business Administration and the Department of Law in the Faculty of Law state in the curriculum and implementation guidelines that they deliver instruction in small classes such as seminars. However, seminars are not well attended, and faculty needed to implement these seminars are lacking in number. This situation should be improved. The Department of Business Administration has placed an emphasis on raising attendance in seminars, and the university should make active efforts to achieve it. ● The university’s credit system allows students to register for an excessive number of courses in one year, but does not encourage them to take courses by careful design. For example, the Faculty of Economics allows students to register for 80 credits by the end of the second year and 120 by the end of the third year. In the Faculty of Law, 100 credits are allowed and there is no limit after the third year. This system needs improvement in accordance with the purpose of the credit system.
Enrollment
● The ratio of enrolled students to the student enrollment cap is high at 1.26 in the Department of Economics in the Faculty of Economics, and 1.26 in the Department of Law in the Faculty of Law. These numbers should be improved. ● The ratio of transfer students to the transfer student admission cap in the Department of Business Administration in the Faculty of Business Administration is high at 1.47. This needs to be improved.