Japan launches human resources reform to bridge liberal arts-science divide

At the Headquarters for Japan's Growth Strategy, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi directed the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Yohei Matsumoto to institute university reform and enrichment of vocational education at technical colleges and similar institutions to challenge future growth fields. Simultaneously, there are demands from the Central Council for Education for high school reform accompanying the tuition-free high school policy, and university reform to enhance the sum of knowledge. Further calls exist for the improvement of research capabilities and industry-academia collaboration with a view to the 7th Basic Plan for Science and Technology, and reskilling of working adults.

Headed by Minister Matsumoto, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has established a Human Resources Development System Reform Promotion Task Force to examine issues and compile measures related to human resources development from high school through university and graduate school. The task force will conduct interviews with relevant organizations within this year, compile a draft Human Resources Development Reform Vision early next year, and finalize it within the fiscal year. Related budgets will be incorporated into the fiscal 2027 budget request.

At the first meeting, Matsumoto stated: "We need to realize a virtuous cycle of investment in people, where strategic human resources development leads to a strong economy and generates resources for nurturing the next generation. Although the issues we must examine are wide-ranging, the conclusions we reach will become the most fundamental foundation supporting Japan's future. Only MEXT can consolidate wisdom and achieve human resources development that creates new value as the foundation for a strong Japan and future growth. I want to boldly tackle such reforms together with all of you."

By 2040, the number of university and high school students will decrease by 25%, with high school seniors declining to 660,000 and university entrants to 460,000. About 70% of high school students are in general education programs, of which 70% are in liberal arts tracks - half of all high school students are in liberal arts. Approximately half of university students choose humanities and social sciences. However, while liberal arts white-collar workers in areas such as administration, sales, and services will be in surplus by 3.2 million in 2040, specialized personnel in mathematics and digital fields will be short by 3.3 million, and essential workers will be in a 4.5 million deficit.

To overcome this situation, MEXT will advance specific measures including general education high school reform to break away from the liberal arts-science divide, with hopes to expand the number of students pursuing science and mathematics. This extends with reforms for vocational high school to develop essential workers who utilize digital technology; structural transformation of universities to foster the ability to challenge future growth fields centered on science and lead the world; reskilling of working adults; development of human resources in science and technology who will drive innovation in future growth fields, alongside environmental improvements to support them, with the aim of transforming Japan into a new technological nation; strengthening of national universities as strategic headquarters supporting regional industries and social and everyday infrastructure; and growth investment in the cultural arts and sports fields, which are sources of soft power.

For example, measures being considered include adding 100 billion yen to the fund for converting liberal arts departments at private universities to science departments and utilizing postdocs for structural reform of university education. Furthermore, the task force will examine the construction of systems to connect elementary and secondary education, higher education, science and technology, and culture and sports, as well as specific measures to bridge gaps. These include entrance examination reform to better connect high schools and universities.