\u3000Furthermore, according to the referenced materials in the beginning paragraph, the number of university students at undergraduate and graduate schools is about 2.91 million in 2018, about 2.14 million (74%) of which are private university students. The number of universities is 782, 603 (77%) of which are private universities. Overwhelmingly private universities support higher education in Japan. However, according to the data: \u201cThe Publicization of Regional Private University!\u201d aggregated by Obunsha Education Information Center, 257 out of 577 private universities (44.5%) could not make their quota because of the shortage of applicants in 2016.
\u3000Smaller freshwater colleges with an annual enrollment limit of less than 800 account for 72% of the total private universities and colleges. Some point out that about 300 universities and colleges, smaller freshwater colleges will face managemental and financial difficulties as the 18-year-old population decreases in the future. (Economist, special edition: University\u3000Disappearance, July 24, 2018 issue.)
\u3000As described above, smaller freshwater colleges will surely face managemental difficulties when students move from local areas to metropolitan areas by free higher education measures.
\u3000What is drawing attention as a proactive support measure is to convert smaller freshwater private colleges to public universities and colleges. The number of converted colleges is increasing. So far there are10 smaller freshwater private colleges converted.
In the document: \u201cThe View on Higher Education Policy\u201d and another document : \u201cCurrent Status and Issues of Financial Support for Higher Education with a Focus on Private Universities and Colleges\u201d, the Japan Association of Private Universities and Colleges (JAPUC) pointed out that free higher education may fix tuition and scholarship disparities, and widen the disparities.
\u3000JAPUC called on the government to increase current expense subsidies, but it is unlikely to do so, even if you expect a lot, because the country has a debt exceeding 1000 trillion yen. Then it seems unavoidable to convert smaller freshwater private colleges to public universities and colleges. But according to Obunsha\u2019s Data as described above, most of financial resources to convert smaller freshwater private colleges to public universities and colleges are treated by local allocation tax. After all, it is a burden on the country. Anyway, we are entering an unavoidable era to question the way of the country\u2019s and household\u2019s financial burdens to support national, public, private universities, and to consolidate universities and colleges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Author: Masatoshi Katagiri)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This essay is the English version of No. 17<\/a>, May 22, 2019 on the Japanese website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Free Higher Education and Placing Regional Private University under Public Management (Continued) \u3000Furthermore … <\/p>\n