Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has presented a draft of a new evaluation system for universities and other higher education institutions to the Central Council for Education.
Under the proposal, each faculty will be assessed on whether it fosters student growth and leads to tangible outcomes. The evaluation will use a four-level scale: “Three Stars,” “Two Stars,” “One Star,” and “Needs Improvement.”
MEXT aims to revise the School Education Act and introduce the new system starting in 2030.
Currently, universities are evaluated as a whole by 16 certified third-party organizations, but the standards vary and the existing two-level judgment (“Compliant” or “Non-Compliant”) has been criticized as unclear, since most institutions are deemed compliant.
The new framework will shift to faculty-level assessments, examining factors such as whether the program clearly communicates the type of graduates it seeks to train and whether it provides an appropriate curriculum. Evaluations are expected to take place once every six years.
Institutions rated “Needs Improvement” may face penalties or be required to undergo early re-evaluation. MEXT is also considering publishing the results online in a searchable format to improve transparency.
(Source: Nikkei, May 21, 2026)
Global University in Japan view:
Japan’s Ministry of Education will introduce a new four-tier evaluation system for universities starting in 2030. For institutions, this reform is a serious challenge: with the declining birthrate already fueling fierce competition for students, a poor rating could directly reduce applicants. Universities must act quickly to adapt, as a new era of survival begins—strong universities will remain, while weaker ones risk being eliminated.
For students, however, the system is highly beneficial. The transparent evaluation results will serve as a reliable guide, not only for Japanese applicants but also for international students choosing where to study in Japan. This reform marks the beginning of a new competitive landscape in higher education, where quality and accountability will shape the future of universities.
