Government submits bills to change the status of government-run universities

The cabinet of Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro submitted bills to change the status of government-run universities, including management and organization, on February 28.

The bills will have national universities run by their respective agencies instead of by the government. But the goals and programs of each university will be decided or approved by the education ministry.

This is a major departure from the principle that the government is responsible for the financial burden of national universities. This change gives rise to fears that the central government will have a stronger grip on national universities.

Each national university will determine the amount of its tuition fees.

Under the plan, the government will not be responsible for the financial affairs of national universities. It provides grant aid for national universities based on the education ministry's assessment of their achievements in relation to the mid-term financial and academic goals set by the ministry.

The Japanese Communist Party's parliamentary group established a task force on the same day to help the movement block the national university bills. It is chaired by Ishii Ikuko, JCP vice chair and Lower House member.

The JCP task force held an assembly to discuss the adverse revision of the status of the national university with about 100 teachers' union members, academics, and youth movement representatives. (end)