Koike opposes enrollment limit at Tokyo universities

September 11, 2017

TOKYO- Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike made clear on Monday her opposition to a plan being considered by the central government to limit enrollment at private universities in the capital's densely populated 23 wards.

At a meeting with education minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, Koike said she will "strongly oppose" reform aimed at preventing private universities in the 23 wards from increasing their enrollment capacities, as part of efforts to rectify the concentration of young people in Tokyo.

"I want universities in rural areas to redouble efforts" to attract students, Koike said.

Hayashi said only that he agrees with the governor.

In a request Koike submitted to Hayashi, the Tokyo metropolitan government asked the central government to provide needed support for universities regardless of their location. It also demanded that the education ministry should not revise its notice regarding curbs on the creation of new faculties and enrollment hikes at universities in Tokyo's 23 wards. Jiji Press