Regional universities in Japan struggle

Sustaining the decline in college-age youth isn't easy for Japanese universities. With students preferring to attend university in Tokyo, smaller regional universities struggle to reach their enrollment goals. The National Governors' Association of Japan has proposed that the number of new programs offered in Tokyo be restricted but this defensive move may not work. In the meantime, regional universities such as Utsunomiya University are innovating by combining liberal arts and sciences students in inquiry teams to address local community questions. Such an approach is exemplary in terms of student engagement and innovation; the hope is that more students will buy into the kind of innovation that is emerging from the challenges of maintaining/growing enrollment.