In an Oct. 2 article, Kevin Rafferty discussed the decline in world rankings of Japanese universities, noting that only two placed in the top 100, with the University of Tokyo dropping from 23rd in 2014 to 39th in 2016. He outlined reasons for the present state of universities in this country and steps that should be taken to improve their quality and move them into a "global 21st century."
From a Western perspective, he is correct to focus on the problem of the bureaucracy and the quality of the teaching and research. Other solutions he gave included more qualified people for the executive jobs, reducing government funding, paying professors more, promoting women, bringing in more foreigners, and creating a more vibrant university community.
Having taught in Japanese universities for over 35 years, I understand Rafferty's attitude concerning many universities in Japan, even though similar problems are seen worldwide. And while his article focuses on the structure and the problems created by the bureaucracy, philosophical issues related to the philosophy of education and epistemology also lie at the heart of the present condition of these educational institutions. In Japan, however, the bureaucracy is paramount to any reform or improvement.
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