When the Central Council for Education announced its proposal for the creation of higher education institutions specializing in a vocational curriculum, the news was greeted with widespread enthusiasm. At present, vocational courses in Japan are largely restricted to high schools. But the rapidly changing demands of the global economy make it clear that the issue is more complex than it appears at first glance.
By requiring all students to earn at least 30 to 40 percent of their credits through practical courses and exercises at companies, the plan will help prepare graduates to find immediate employment upon graduation. Too many university graduates who have majored in the traditional liberal arts remain unemployed or underemployed, creating a drag on the economy.
How the government proposal will be met by the higher education community, however, is unclear. Turf wars in academe are notorious for their vehemence and duration. If existing universities view the new universities as competition for students, the plan is likely to be closely scrutinized and opposed before it is finally approved.