Japan's declining birthrate has finally put the nation's most prestigious university on alert.
The University of Tokyo, commonly known as "Todai," announced Monday it has issued its first brochure to lure prospective students.
The brochure details the school's history, introduces each department and details about student life, as well as information about the application process.
In the past, the school printed simple explanations in the guidelines for applicants, but this is the first independent brochure with detailed information.
"We used to be able to attract many students easily," Motoo Furuta, vice president of the university, told a news conference. "Amid intensifying competition among universities, we decided to publish (the brochure), so that we can attract more ambitious students."
Though the university's entrance examination is still considered highly competitive, the brochure urges prospective students not to shy away from applying.
"We will not judge students' ability by only grades," it says. "We will also look at their spirit to challenge. Our door is open to people who have academic ambitions."