Incorporation of National Universities in Japan: An Evaluation Six Years On

Abstract

In the wave of reforms implemented by government and higher education institutions in many OECD countries, Japanese national universities were incorporated in 2004. One of the key elements of the new scheme was the “mid-term ta rgets” to be achieved in the subsequent six years, which function as a contract between the government and each university. The levels of achievement are to be evaluated in the sixth year, and the results reflected in the next middle-term targets and corresponding government funding. As of 2010, the first cycle of this process has been completed. What were the intended effects of the original design? How did it work in reality? Why are the outcomes different from the expectation? These are the questions that I address in this chapter.