In November 2024, Tohoku University was selected as Japan’s first institution to be designated a University for International Research Excellence (UIRE) under a new initiative launched by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). This program, supported by a national endowment fund of ¥10 trillion (approximately 1.6–1.7 quadrillion VND, or ~60–70 billion USD), aims to enhance the global competitiveness of Japan’s academic research system. UIRE is not merely a title but a comprehensive reform mechanism designed to foster universities with strategic vision in research, talent development, and societal impact.
Although Japan has maintained a strong higher education system since the Meiji era and expanded significantly after World War II, the international standing of its universities has declined over the past three decades, largely due to limited modernization and internationalization. The 2004 reform introducing the “National University Corporation” model granted greater autonomy to universities; however, most institutions remain heavily dependent on public funding and lack sustainable financial models such as endowments or private donations. Meanwhile, researchers face decreasing funding, increasing administrative burdens, and stagnating internationalization, reflected in the low number of foreign researchers and the declining trend of young Japanese scientists going abroad. In the context of a shrinking and aging population, attracting international talent has become essential, yet continues to be hindered by language barriers and institutional limitations.
The UIRE initiative (2023) was designed to address these structural challenges. It supports the development of advanced research environments, the recruitment of top global scientists, and the translation of research into societal applications. A key feature is its financial mechanism: the “University Fund,” managed by the Japan Science and Technology Agency, matches government funding with external resources secured by universities, including industry partnerships and private contributions. This model compels universities to transition from dependence to proactive engagement, linking research with innovation and real-world impact.
During the selection process, despite not leading in publication output or funding, Tohoku University was chosen for its bold reform strategy based on three core pillars: Impact, Talent, and Change. The university proposed 19 concrete strategies, including transforming the traditional laboratory system into independent “research units,” increasing their number from approximately 800 to 1800, and empowering early-career researchers. More than 1,000 research support staff—including technical personnel and University Research Administrators (URAs)—will be recruited to enhance efficiency and independence.
In addition, Tohoku University has set long-term targets over the next 25 years, such as increasing the proportion of top 10% publications, expanding intellectual property income, enhancing internationalization, and improving gender balance. The university is also building an innovation ecosystem through a 40,000 m² Science Park, the next-generation synchrotron facility “NanoTerasu,” and partnerships with industry, startups, and local governments. This represents a transition from a traditionally inward-looking academic system to a globally connected innovation ecosystem.
Another major breakthrough lies in organizational restructuring toward a more flexible and less hierarchical model, promoting interdisciplinary and international collaboration. Tohoku is advancing comprehensive internationalization across recruitment, education, and governance, alongside policies supporting international researchers and their families. Its vision extends beyond scientific excellence to emphasize connectivity, creativity, and societal impact, adopting new evaluation metrics such as startup creation and research commercialization.
As the first UIRE institution, Tohoku University serves as a national benchmark and pilot model for systemic reform. If successful, it could catalyze a comprehensive transformation of Japan’s higher education system—from fragmented reforms to an integrated strategy characterized by openness, excellence, and global scientific leadership. UIRE thus represents not an endpoint, but the beginning of a profound transformation redefining the role of universities in modern society.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s44319-025-00467-9
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