Operation Crisis of Private Universities in the Tokyo Bay Area: Based on the Relationship Among Universities, Government and the Japanese Economy

Abstract

Despite the rising number of private universities in Japan, the population of 18-year-olds has been declining. Owing to insufficient enrolment, many private universities in the Kanto Region moved campuses to central Tokyo to attract students. This move led to increased population density in Tokyo and economic depression in the surrounding areas. The Japanese government reacted by introducing relevant policies such as controlling the enrolment of some universities and excessive personnel in some industries. This study analysed the relationship among private universities, the Japanese government and the Japanese economy in the context of the operational crisis. The study found that the overexpansion of private universities in Tokyo has brought considerable pressure on Tokyo and negative impacts on the economy of surrounding areas. Government policies and economic development limited the development of private universities in certain ways, which resulted in a mutual restrictive relationship among universities, the government and society.KeywordsTokyo Bay AreaPrivate universitiesOperation crisis