Japan
National flag of Japan
Definition of "Recognized Higher Education Institution" in Japan:
Public/private universities, junior colleges, and colleges of technology: organizations that have been conferred approval to establish institutions by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) after deliberations by the Council for University Establishment and School Corporation.
National universities, junior colleges, and colleges of technology: organizations established based on law.
National/Public/Private specialized training colleges (Postsecondary): organizations recognized mainly by prefectural Governors.
Details about universities, junior colleges, and colleges of technology are mainly on this portal site.
“Standards for the Establishment of a University,” “Standards for the Establishment of a Graduate School,” “Standards for the Establishment of a Junior College,” “Standards for the Establishment of Colleges of Technology,” “Standards for the Establishment of Specialised Training Colleges (Postsecondary Course),” etc. have been set up as the minimum standards that should be followed by national/public/private universities, junior colleges, and colleges of technology.
1. Institutions recognized by competent authorities
- National Universities
- Public Universities
- Private Universities
- Junior Colleges (Public, Private)
- Colleges of Technology (National, Public, Private)
2. Higher education programmes recognized by competent authorities
3. Information for students planning to study in the country
4. Information on the higher education system
- Description of the education system / Competent bodies
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) - Quality assurance mechanisms:
Quality Assurance Framework in Japan
Information Package regarding Quality Assurance in Japan
Produced by the National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Evaluation (NIAD-UE) for enhancing mutual understanding of the Japanese quality assurance system of higher education. It consists of three items - Glossary, Overview of the Quality Assurance System in Japanese Higher Education and NIAD-UE’s evaluation materials. - Quality assurance agencies:
National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Evaluation
Japan Institution for Higher Education Evaluation (Japanese)
Japan Association for College Accreditation (Japanese)
Japan Law Foundation (Japanese)
Japan University Accreditation Association
The Alliance on Business Education and Scholarship for Tomorrow, a 21st century organization (ABEST21)
Japanese Institute of International Accounting Education (Japanese)
Japan Institute of Midwifery Evaluation (Japanese)
5. Information on foreign credential assessment and recognition
- Description and procedures:
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) - Competent bodies:
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
6. Information on financial assistance opportunities
- For national students planning to study abroad:
Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) - For international students planning to study in Japan:
Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO)
7. Cross-border higher education
- Designation of the "Locations in Japan of a Foreign University":
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
8. National Information Centre
9. Other information sources
10. Definitions of key terms
- Institutions of Higher Education:
Institutions of Higher Education in Japan include universities, junior colleges, colleges of technology, and specialised training colleges (Postsecondary course). - Degree:
A Bachelor’s degree is conferred upon a person who has graduated from a university. The Master’s degree, PhD, and professional graduate school degree are respectively conferred upon a person who has completed a Master’s course, a Doctoral course, and a professional graduate school course. A junior college degree is conferred upon a person who has graduated from a junior college. - The National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Evaluation (NIAD-UE):
NIAD-UE is an institution established by related ministries, although not one of the “Institutions of Higher Education Based on the School Education Law”. NIAD can confer a Bachelor’s degree upon a person who, after already graduating from a junior college or a college of technology, has completed certain amount of further coursework. NIAD-UE can also confer the Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and PhD to a person who has completed a course of an educational institution that is recognized by NIAD-UE.