17:05 JST, June 8, 2026

Due to the accelerating decline in the number of births, the financial situation at some private universities is deteriorating severely. While consolidations and closures may be unavoidable for some universities, should regional educational functions be allowed to be lost? It is time for society as a whole to ponder the question once again.

The Finance Ministry has announced that the number of private universities — currently 624 nationwide — must be reduced by at least 250 by 2040 in its first-ever numerical target. With the decline in the population of 18-year-olds, more than half of private universities are already failing to fill their enrollment quotas.

The population of 18-year-olds is projected to continue declining. The ministry must be alarmed over the prospect of the government continuing to pour huge subsidies into........

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