Japan is concerned about the quality of postgraduate education.

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 education.

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

According to 2024 data, only 12.6 percent of Japanese university students go on to pursue a master's degree or equivalent. This rate is significantly lower than in Western countries. In particular, in the humanities and social sciences, this figure is below 5%.

MEXT believes that the "four plus one" model will facilitate students' transfer of credits and help Japanese universities increase their competitiveness in the global education environment.

Several leading universities have begun experimenting with shortened training programs. Keio University currently offers a four-year combined program. Hitotsubashi University is implementing a five-year program. And the University of Tokyo plans to launch a “four plus one” program in its new Design Department in 2027.

However, academics have expressed concerns that shortening the study period could 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 Japan's Central Education Council. Many members argued that requiring students to complete both undergraduate and master's theses within a short period could lower academic quality.

Professor Reiko Yamada, Director of the Center for Higher Education and Student Research at Doshisha University, stated: “Shortening the study period may not necessarily lead to a significant increase in the number of graduate students. Unless society and businesses truly value the skills and knowledge that graduate students acquire, this reform is unlikely to create lasting change.”

According to Ms. Yamada, entrance examinations are crucial tools for assessing academic ability and research potential. Ignoring this step would pose a significant challenge to ensuring the quality of future graduate students.

Professor Futao Huang, who teaches at the Institute for Higher Education Research at Hiroshima University, commented: “The ‘four plus one’ model is a noteworthy reform that can address the shortage of skilled labor and improve training efficiency. However, universities need to maintain a balance between the speed of training and academic quality.”

According to Real Higher Education

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