November 21, 2023

A bill to revise the National University Corporation Act to strengthen government control over universities was passed through the House of Representatives by the majority vote of the ruling parties, the “Ishin no Kai” party, and the Democratic Party for the People. The Japanese Communist Party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, and the “Reiwa” party voted against the bill.

At the Lower House plenary session, in discussions prior to the vote, JCP representative Miyamoto Takeshi spoke to oppose the bill and pointed out that under the bill, government-backed decision-making bodies will be established in national universities which will allow the education minister to exercise its influence over university’s personnel matters. He criticized the bill for systematically undermining university autonomy and infringing on academic freedom.

Miyamoto pointed out that as the bill is designed to reform universities to ones subservient to the demands of the government and the business circle, such as accepting military-related R/D funding.

The JCP lawmaker demanded that the government give up on its attempt to trample on university autonomy and instead respect academic freedom.

Past related article:
> Gov’t seeks to infiltrate decision-making bodies in national universities [October 25, 2023]