A Century of Excellence in Both Learning and Sports

Today, Japan faces several challenges, including a less globalized labor force than other countries. In addition, Japan's shrinking population is putting increasing pressure on the global workforce; by 2040, Japan is estimated to face a labor shortage of 10 million workers. To address this challenge, the government has set an ambitious goal of attracting more than 400,000 students from abroad to Japan. What role do you think Japanese universities can play in addressing these challenges facing Japan?

Given the situation you mentioned, I am concerned about population decline because of the declining birth rate; in 2017, the Japanese government projected this decline and at that time estimated that by 2051, the population of 18-year-olds would be less than 800,000. However, the number of newborns in 2022 was 770,000, and they will turn 18 in 2040. In other words, the declining birthrate is progressing more than 10 years faster than projected.

The impact will be felt throughout education, but senior high schools and junior high schools will be affected before universities, and elementary schools will be the first to be affected. Elementary schools in Japan are already in a difficult situation, with several schools closing across the country due to low enrollment. One solution is to integrate schools, and cases of creating integrated schools are seen nationwide. Private universities like ours are also facing a difficult situation. As of last year, many of Japan's private universities were running below capacity. In the future, private universities need to focus not only on the 18-year-old population, but also on people other than current Japanese students, such as lifelong learners and international students. One important point we need to focus on is these alternative means to strengthen our student population. Such alternatives will enhance the education offered by the University.

On the other hand, we need to think more seriously about making Japan a more attractive destination for international students and others. Looking at the current situation, Japan is a developed country with low prices, and the number of inbound tourists is rapidly increasing. Many shoppers are taking advantage of the weak yen, and this is an opportunity to show Japan's advantages to those who are interested in Japanese history and culture. We hope that foreign visitors to Japan will tell their friends and family about Japan and arouse their interest in studying and living in Japan. To avoid manpower shortages and ensure the survival of educational institutions, appealing to such foreigners must be a priority for universities.

Although the attractiveness of Japan as a destination for study abroad is said to be declining, we must consider what foreign students find attractive about Japanese universities and then create a situation in which many foreigners will want to study in Japan.

Chukyo University Nagoya Campus

As you say, Japan should be an attractive place for students, but as the numbers show, Japan is not living up to its potential. Japan has world-class facilities and education, and an ever-increasing number of English-language courses and programs. The total number of international students is about 5%, which is relatively low compared to the United Kingdom and the United States, which have 20-30%. You mentioned that Japanese universities need to focus on attracting these foreign students. Are there any ways in which you think universities should make such efforts? Are there any strategies your university is implementing to attract more international students?

Japan is the best place to learn about Japanese history and culture. This can only be done in Japan. Our university is trying to participate in study abroad fairs to disseminate information to young people overseas. These include fairs in Los Angeles, Hawaii, Taiwan, and many more. We send our staff to such places to convey our message to potential students. We want young people to understand the advantages of our university.

The Paris Olympics were held in August 2024, and I understand that your university is making efforts to integrate sports and academics. You have world-class facilities for figure skating and other sports, and five athletes, including your alumni, represented Japan at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Please tell us about the importance of integrating sports and learning in the classroom.

UMEMURA Educational Institutions started in 1923 as a commercial school. My great-grandfather founded that school. He established the school motto "Shin-Ken-Mi" based on the spirit of "Bunbu-Fuki," which means that study and sports are inseparable. When my grandfather founded the university, he further embodied this philosophy in the founding spirit, "Focus on Excellence in both Learning and Sports.” This spirit has been passed down to the present.

My great-grandfather believed that the abilities and relationships cultivated in the world of sports could be fully utilized in the real world. He felt that the world of sports reflected many values essential to society. This spirit and belief have been carried on to this day. It is not only about winning, but also about the connections and relationships with teammates and rivals. Although life continues after college and many students will no longer compete in sports at the professional level, the skills developed during their college athletic careers can be effectively applied to succeed in a global society.

The skills developed in sports can also be applied to relationships across borders and language barriers. North America and Europe are of course important, but we hope to attract international students from the vibrant emerging and developing economies of Asia.

Chukyo University Sports Mascot, Chugle

In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the university's founding, you have launched a new strategy called "NEXT10 2033," which covers the entire university. Please tell us about the vision set forth in "NEXT10 2033" and the main strategies you intend to implement over the next 10 years.

This strategic plan covers the 10-year period beginning April 2024 and incorporates the philosophy of "Focus on Excellence in both Learning and Sports" that I mentioned earlier. We hope to further build on our history and traditions, but in terms of the actual content of the plan, we have five key policies. These five policies are education, research, internationalization, student support, and social cooperation and contribution. For the 10 areas under them, we have set up working groups and projects to prioritize and decide what should be done in each area and how to promote it. By holding sessions to discuss the pros and cons, we can think from the ground up about how to reform each of the 10 areas.

In terms of a longer-term vision for the future, we are also looking to expand into new areas, but from that perspective, we must commit to an analysis of where we should focus our education.

We are fortunate to also have a senior high school, and in order to take advantage of this opportunity, we have developed a long-term plan for our affiliated senior high school, "NEXT10-sh 2033.” Considering the declining birthrate in Japan, it is important to strengthen cooperation between high schools and universities. Compared to 10-20 years ago, the academic level of high schools has improved, and this is also a factor that is encouraging the development of universities.

We are aware that several strategies and courses are available to help students improve their language skills. The Global Liberal Studies (GLS) program is interdisciplinary and offered exclusively in English. You also have the Global Education Center that serves as a point of contact for students who wish to study abroad. What role do these study abroad and language opportunities play in the development of your students? Do you have plans to expand these programs in the future?

In 2020, when the university established the School of Global Studies, the Global Education Center was established to develop the existing International Center, as well as to receive and accept international students, and to exchange students with foreign countries. The GLS is one of the divisions in the School of Global Studies, but it offers education only in English and mainly has international students. These international students have a high sense of purpose, and many have graduated and found employment with Japanese companies. Unfortunately, however, the School of Global Studies was established in 2020, when COVID-19 was widespread. This temporarily hindered the School’s activation, but we hope to accelerate it in the future.

International partnerships were also hampered by COVID-19. We had originally planned to hold an international sports exchange in Taiwan, but we had to postpone it. However, thanks to efforts from both sides, it will now take place in February 2025, and in September 2024, I visited Taiwan to further refine our plans for educational collaboration including this sports exchange.

Imagine we come back in 2034 and redo this interview. What goals and dreams would you like to have accomplished when we return for that new interview?

I believe that by 2034, the environment surrounding education will have changed considerably. This is just my personal thought, but since we currently have two schools, a university and a senior high school, I would like to aim to create a comprehensive school in 10 years. I would like to create a trend of participation in education at the kindergarten, elementary school, and junior high school levels.

For more information, visit their website at: https://www.chukyo-u.ac.jp/english/