Japan concerned about quality of postgraduate training

This is considered one of the biggest reforms in the country's education system but there are concerns that it will affect the quality of training.

According to a proposal by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), students who complete a four-year undergraduate program can continue studying for an additional year to obtain a master's degree instead of the current two years. This policy is expected to be applied from 2026 with the aim of increasing the rate of postgraduate study and meeting the demand for highly qualified human resources in the labor market.

According to 2024 figures, only 12.6 percent of Japanese undergraduates went on to study for a master’s degree or equivalent. This is much lower than in Western countries. In particular, in the humanities and social sciences, the figure was just under 5 percent.

MEXT believes that the “four plus one” model will help students more easily transfer their studies, while also helping Japanese universities increase their competitiveness in the global educational environment.

Several leading universities have already begun experimenting with the shortened format. Keio University now offers a four-year combined program. Hitotsubashi University is offering a five-year program. And the University of Tokyo plans to launch a “four plus one” program at its new Faculty of Design in 2027.

However, academics have expressed concerns that shortening the study period may leave students with insufficient time for in-depth research, thereby affecting the quality of teaching and flexibility in the learning process.

Concerns about the feasibility of this policy were also raised in recent discussions at a subcommittee of the Central Council of Education of Japan, with many members saying that requiring students to complete both their bachelor's and master's theses in a short period of time could reduce academic quality.

“Shortening the study period is unlikely to significantly increase the number of postgraduate students,” said Professor Reiko Yamada, director of the Center for Higher Education and Student Research at Doshisha University. “Unless society and businesses truly value the skills and knowledge that postgraduate students acquire, this reform is unlikely to create long-term change.”

According to Ms. Yamada, entrance exams are an important tool to evaluate academic ability and research ability. If this step is omitted, ensuring the quality of future postgraduate students will be a big challenge.

“The ‘four plus one’ model is a remarkable reform that can solve the shortage of skilled workers and improve training efficiency. However, universities need to maintain a balance between training speed and academic quality,” said Professor Futao Huang, a lecturer at the Institute for Higher Education Research at Hiroshima University.

According to Times Higher Education

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