The Japan government will adjust the enrollment policy of Tokyo's 23 district universities

The Japan government announced Tuesday that it will partially adjust the policy of expanding enrollment at Tokyo's 23 district universities, which was previously aimed at cultivating talent in the digital field. In view of the Liberal Democratic Party and local government leaders have accused the policy of "going against the correction of Tokyo's unipolarity", the enrollment will be limited to science and engineering majors in information faculties. The government says it will curb excessive expansion.   The government made a statement at the meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party's local creative executive integration headquarters held on the same day. The plan presented in February allowed for the expansion of "information departments that train senior digital talent", with comments pointing to vague definitions.   After the policy adjustment, if the four-year university, enrollment must be restored to the original enrollment quota seven years after the start of enrollment. At the same time, it is required to put forward specific plans for reducing recruitment. If the reduction is not realized, punitive measures such as subsidy reduction will be taken.   In 2018, the Japan government enacted a new law to correct Tokyo's unipolarity, which in principle prohibits universities in the 23 districts from expanding their enrollment until the end of March 2028. But in February, the government announced a policy of allowing expansion as soon as 2024, arguing that the shortage of digital talent could not be solved without making full use of Tokyo's 23 districts, where universities are concentrated.