Asahi Gakuen Educational Corporation, which is planning to establish Takeo Asia University (tentative name) in Takeo City, Saga Prefecture, decided not to open the Faculty of Next Generation Education among the faculties scheduled to be opened at the Takeo City Council Special Committee to discuss the establishment of a new university. The university announced a new policy of opening only the Faculty of Regional Co-creation. Takeo City has indicated that it will support up to 30 billion yen out of the total project cost, which is expected to be 13 billion yen. Related proposals will be proposed at the June regular meeting of the city council.
The City Council special committee meeting was held behind closed doors, and after the meeting, Asahi Gakuen President Nobuko Uchida, Takeo City Mayor Masa Komatsu, and others held a press conference to provide explanations. According to the report, Asahi Gakuen had planned to establish two faculties, the Faculty of Contemporary Korean Studies and the Faculty of Next Generation Education, but decided to only have the Faculty of East Asian Regional Co-creation because it was more realistic to specialize in one faculty.
The Faculty of East Asia Regional Co-creation will offer the Tourism and Regional Management (tentative name) course and the Korea Media Contents (tentative name) course, with an enrollment capacity of 140 students.
Takeo City has released an estimate that estimates that the university will have an economic impact of approximately 25 billion yen in the 154 years since its opening, and that it can expect annual tax revenue of 3,300 million yen and employment of approximately 250 people in the city, and will cover the cost of renting the campus site by 2030. It announced a policy of providing up to 3 billion yen in support, including making the program free of charge until March 13.
Takeo City's population has continued to decline since peaking at around 1950 in 7, and the city hopes to revitalize the area by establishing a new university. There are no universities in the western part of Saga Prefecture, and the aim is to stop the exodus of young people and secure a career path. The West Kyushu Shinkansen will open in 2022, connecting Takeo Onsen and Nagasaki, and Takeo is increasing its presence as a hub city in West Kyushu, but as the 18-year-old population decreases, it is necessary to secure the necessary enrollment. The challenge is to continue to do so.
reference:[Asahi Gakuen Educational Corporation] Rendering of Takeo Asia University, scheduled to open in spring 2026, released
[Takeo City] City's thoughts on establishing Takeo Asian University
