But it would be a lie to say that no problems exist. Indeed, presidents of private-sector institutions of higher education in Japan face a range of challenging issues. Some issues relate to the size of an institution. Private institutions in Japan range in size from 1,000 to 100,000 students. A president of a large university, having to preside over campus-wide faculty meetings, may long for a family atmosphere similar to faculty meetings at a small college.
Some private colleges have but a single school or faculty.
A president of such a college may feel at a disadvantage in the competition to attract students. A president of an engineering college has to work hard to keep up with ever-changing technologies, while one at a humanities college can sit back and relax. Some private institutions enjoy a long history and elite status much like that of the national universities. Some private schools have national reputations, while others are known only in their own region. These last two types of institutions have a much harder job in reaching and recruiting students.