## O University Council

In Japan, the Central Council for Education, consisting of experts and leaders, is organized in order to make recommendation for enhancing education for the request for advice which the Minister of MEXT has asked. University Council, which is a part of the Central Council, is working for specific issues around higher education.

Consulted by the Minister of MEXT on September 11, 2008, the University Council has launched a debate on the future of university education in the mid- to long-terms, in order to assure the quality of education as well as to enhance social understanding.

(1) Future of University system and its Education Responding to Diverse Needs of Society and Students

1) University education responding to diverse needs of society and students

2) Reconstruction of university system and its education which centers on degree programs (systematically designed for granting specific competencies according to the majoring field and level of degree) to realize university education that is responsive to diverse needs

3) Human resource development in the fields where social demands are particularly high

4) Quality assurance system to realize university education responsive to diverse needs

5) Measures to support students in taking courses, in order to realize university education that is responsive to diverse needs

(2) Future of University Education in the Progress of the Globalization

1) Measures to improve the international competitiveness of universities

2) Introduction of international viewpoints in university quality assurance and accreditation, and response to university quality assurance and accreditation activities at the global level

3) Facilitation of improvement in international mobility of students and faculty within the Asian and other regions

(3) Overall Picture of Universities in Japan within its Depopulating Society

1) Perspectives for the sound development of university system as a whole within a depopulating society

2) Facilitation of functional differentiation of universities and establishment of networks among universities

3) Perspectives for university policy in response to human research development needs on both national and regional level

Anzai Yuichiro Executive Adviser for Academic Affairs and Professor, Keio Univerty(Chairperson)

Iino Masako President, Tsuda College

Urano Mitsudo Trustee, Japan Association of Corporate Executives / Executive President, Central Society for Promoting the Industrial Education / Chairman, Nichirei Corp.

Ogiue Kouichi Professor, NIAD (Vice-Chairperson)

Kaneko Motohisa Professor, University of Tokyo

Go Michiko Executive Director, Research Organization of Information and Systems (Vice-Chairperson)

Komiyama Hiroshi Chairman, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.

Terashima Jituro President, Tama University / Chairman, Japan Research Institute

Hishinuma Michiko Dean and Professor, St.Luke's College of Nursing

Abe Koichi Senior Vice President, Toray Industries, Inc.

Arinobu Mutsuhiro Adviser, Toshiba Inc. / Director and Vice-President, Japanese Society for Engineering Education

Imai Kouzou President, Sapporo Medical University

Imae Toyoko Part-time Members of the Council for Science and Technology Policy

Egami Setsuko Professor, Musashi University

Kashitani Takao Executive Board Member, Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Kawata Teiichi President, Kansai University

Kimura Tsutomu Adviser, MEXT

Kuroda toshiji Chancellor, Kanazawa Institute of Technology

Kosugi Reiko Senior Researcher, Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training

Sasaki Masamine Adviser, National Museum of Nature and Science

Sato Kouki President, Mejiro University and Mejiro Junior College

Sato Toyoshi President, Obirin University

Shimada Hisanobu General Secretary, Japanese Federation of Textile, Chemical, Food, Commercial, Service and General Workers' Unions

Suita Sachiyo Vice-President, Kyushu University

Nakagome Saburo Director of Foundation Nakagome Gakuen / Chairman of National Association of Vocational Schools of Japan

Nakanishi Tomoko Professor, Tokyo University

Hamada Jyunichi President, Tokyo University

Marumoto Takuya President, Yamaguchi University

Moriwaki Michiko President, JIYUGAOKA SANNO College

Inoue Masahito Dean, School of Law and Politics, University of Tokyo

Kawashima Tatsuo Professor, Kobe University

Shirai Katsuhiko President, Waseda University