University of Tokyo eyes 1st tuition hike in 20 years as state grants wane

It's about time. Without higher tuitions, scholars such as myself remain overworked and underpaid servants. Let's hope Tokyo U sets a new standard for Japan; one that will help Japan catch up with Korean higher education. But, really, wow, 20 years! The elite students were getting a bargain.

Sure, having higher tuition may lead to higher salaries for 'underpaid' servants but it definitely won't set a new standard of higher education.

The government should never have semi-corporatised public universities in the first place. Japan spends way less as a percentage of GDP than the OCED average on education. Funding is being cut to the bone

Public education should never be a business. Look at the state of private education for where this is headed.

As for national universities in Japan, the standard amount of tuition is set by an education ministry ordinance at 535,800 yen and it has not changed since fiscal 2005.

As an American, that is insanely inexpensive. I was paying about $6,000 a year in tuition and fees at Georgia State University in the early '90s as an in-state resident. That doesn't even include books, parking.... I know uni is also cheaper in Europe, but, man, the US has a problem with seriously over-priced higher education.

I work at a uni here and while I'm not rolling in it salary wise, I'm comfortable for the amount of work I do. They are getting what they pay for, but could probably get the same from someone else for a little less.

Japan's tax revenue is largest ever, But LDP regime reduces education budget, they more expand inequality at Japanese society where poverty already expanding.

it's like "disdain for intellectual and the art".

when I went to college, in England, more than five decades ago, not only were there no fees, but we got a grant. everybody! now the UK is like everywhere else, massive debt in exchange for your 'education'.

Just one of the nice things about Japan: The top universities are completely merited based and not for profit.

US colleges are closing all across the country. Japan is maintaining theirs. This seems to be a necessary action and compared to a lot of countries it isn't prohibitive. Heck, the book companies realized that there was money to be made on text books here in the US, so now they charge a hundred dollars for one. (Text books are now giving was to they web, which is good.) Colleges and universities are not for profit in many places but the schools still need to maintain quality and standards, for which money is necessary.