On September 2024, 9, the Japan Private School Promotion and Mutual Aid Corporation announced that about 14% of private universities were below capacity in a survey of applicants. As with previous trends, the keywords for universities with many under-enrolled students were "regions outside the three major metropolitan areas" and "small". As for women's universities, many of them fall into the "small" category (less than 6 students), and there is also a trend toward coeducation and trends in the number of faculties, so they continue to face a tough situation in recruiting students. Some women's universities have become coeducational, but even outside of coeducational, various university reforms are being carried out in response to trends in the world.
In this column, we will focus on the Tokyo metropolitan area, where there is particularly rapid change among women's universities, and categorize reforms related to student recruitment into five categories, introducing examples from each university.
The occupancy rate of the 29 women's universities in the Tokyo metropolitan area is below 2024% in the 90 academic year. This figure is almost the same as that of small universities nationwide. This table does not show the correlation between deviation value and occupancy rate, but there is a tendency that the lower the deviation value, the less capacity will be filled. This is true not only for women's universities, but also for coeducational universities and large universities. It is important to maintain the deviation value, and to do so, it is important to continue to carry out reforms related to student recruitment.
*Below are five reform directions and examples at women's universities in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
① A curriculum with a high degree of freedom in choice. You can learn beyond your departmental major and choose according to your wishes.
We are now in an era where "comprehensive knowledge" is necessary to deal with today's complex social issues. In order to respond to this, universities are actively reorganizing and changing their curricula to balance "broad liberal arts and deep specialization." Existing interdepartmental programs and minors are evolving further, and an increasing number of women's universities are introducing systems that allow greater freedom in curriculum selection.
● University of the Sacred Heart, Faculty of Contemporary Liberal Arts (Curriculum Reform) *Faculty-level entrance examination
From 2023
Over the course of 75 years of liberal arts education, the diverse courses that have been offered university-wide have been reorganized and expanded into seven areas. These are called "Sacred Heart Liberal Arts Courses," and students can study these courses independently in parallel with their chosen departmental studies from their second year, to acquire deep expertise and a broad perspective.
Shirayuri Women's University Faculty of Letters (Curriculum Reform) *1 faculty, 3 departments Department-based entrance examination
From 2025
We have expanded the scope of our free choice of a wide variety of programs that go beyond the literature field, allowing students to combine studies that match their own interests more than ever before.
Seisen Women's University Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences / Faculty of Global Citizenship (reorganized) *2 faculties, 2 departments, 5 fields Field-based entrance examinations
From 2025
This allows for cross-disciplinary learning that would not be possible on a departmental basis. Students choose their preferred field when they enroll, but can also choose subjects from other fields within each faculty based on their interests.
Tokyo Woman's Christian University, College of Contemporary Arts (reorganized) *The Department of Humanities has four major entrance exams, while the others have department-based entrance exams
From 2025
In order to pursue the questions they set for themselves, they learn beyond academic fields and departments, and acquire the ability to grasp the essence of things from a multifaceted perspective. In addition to the university-wide curriculum and subjects in their department, 10 credits of subjects from other departments are mandatory, so whether you know what you want to do or you're not sure yet, we have an environment where you can encounter all kinds of knowledge and broaden your world in the liberal arts.
Ferris University, Faculty of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies (reorganized) *1 faculty, 3 departments, 9 majors Department-based entrance exams
From 2025
Many of the specialized subjects are open to students from other departments and majors, so students can cross fields and areas of interest, and broaden their horizons. Students choose their major at the end of their second year to ensure they have time to identify their field of expertise and learn broadly. In the first and second years, students are encouraged to learn broadly across fields before deciding on their major, and to increase the flexibility of their thinking.
●Toyo Eiwa University Faculty of Human and Sociology (reorganization plan)
From 2026
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is made up of three departments, each with its own courses. By clarifying the direction and curriculum of each course, we will create an environment where students can have a purpose for their studies and choose a career path that reflects their image of the future. We also plan to introduce a cross-disciplinary program that allows students to study subjects in different fields beyond their departments and courses.
*From each university's website
② Establishment and reorganization of interdisciplinary departments of humanities and sciences, and departments of science, engineering, and agriculture
With the urgent need to develop highly specialized human resources to drive growth fields such as digital and green, universities across the country are continuing to establish new faculties of information and science, engineering, and agriculture. Women's universities are also seeing a rush to establish new faculties, which are broadly divided into liberal arts and science/agricultural and science and engineering. In the case of liberal arts and agriculture, entrance exams are prepared that do not require mathematics so that liberal arts students can also take the exam, but for pure science and engineering, mathematics is required. In the 2025 general selection process for women's universities in the Tokyo metropolitan area, the Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Information Sciences in the Faculty of Science at Japan Women's University, the Department of Information and Mathematics in the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Tokyo Woman's Christian University, and the Department of Mathematics and Information Science in the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Tsuda University are mandatory.
●Japan Women's University, Faculty of Science (department name changed)
From 2022
The Department of Mathematics and Physics has changed its name to the Department of Mathematics, Physics and Information Sciences, to include not only mathematics and physics but also "information," which is essential in modern times, and the Department of Material and Life Sciences has changed its name more directly to the Department of Chemistry and Life Sciences.
●Japan Women's University, Department of Nutrition Innovation (reorganized)
From 2025
The four separate courses in the Nutrition Science major have been reorganized to create three new areas: Food and Wellness, Nutrition Data Science, and Clinical Laboratory Science. In the Nutrition Data Science area, students will acquire the skills to analyze and utilize large amounts of diverse data on nutrients, foods, and meals, and will be able to create new ideas and services using AI and ICT in business, government, and research institutions such as universities.
●Otsuma Women's University Faculty of Data Science (newly established)
From 2025
Students will learn in teams and collaborate with others through practical PBL-style classes that mix four areas (information, statistics, economics, and management) necessary for future business, develop application skills, and actually come into contact with data from companies and other sources to discover and solve on-site issues.
Tokyo Woman's Christian University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Information and Mathematical Sciences, Department of Information and Mathematical Sciences (reorganized)
From 2025
From 2024, the Department of Mathematical Sciences will reorganize its two majors (Mathematics and Information Science) into one major (Information and Mathematical Sciences), and from 2, the Department of Mathematical Sciences will change its name to Information and Mathematical Sciences. The aim is to develop students who can utilize knowledge of information science, AI, data science, and mathematical science, which are necessary in today's advanced information society, to set up mathematical models of natural and social phenomena, to develop the ability to analyze and elucidate them from multiple angles, to acquire mathematical knowledge and logical thinking skills, and to play a wide range of roles in today's ICT (information and communication technology) society.
Wayo Women's University Faculty of AI Life Design (tentative name: under construction)
From 2026
In order to create a society where people can feel rich and secure, we aim to develop independent women who can contribute to solving problems in everyday life and society by integrating the basic necessities of life (food, clothing, and shelter), as well as connections, support, and development of others, and also by dealing with inner logic.
Atomi University, Faculty of Media and Arts (tentative name: under construction)
From 2026
The Bunkyo Campus will be home to an integrated arts and sciences faculty of media and arts (tentative name, Bachelor of Engineering) as an educational and research organization that combines and fuses the academic knowledge of data science and digital arts. In collaboration with companies involved in video and music media and cultural projects, the school will incorporate hands-on learning through internships and PBL.
Showa Women's University, School of Informatics (tentative name: under construction)
From 2026
In order to realize the active participation and social advancement of women in the science and engineering fields, we plan to establish a new "School of Integrated Information Sciences" (tentative name) consisting of two departments (Department of Data Science and Department of Data Innovation). Based on mathematics, statistics, data science, and computer science, we will provide subjects that involve case studies in specialized fields such as psychology, health, human resource development, marketing, environment, and society, and provide education that handles practical data.
Wayo Women's University, School of Bio-Applied Sciences (tentative name: under construction)
From 2028
Focusing on the traditional Japanese culture of brewing and fermentation and biotechnology, this program aims to train female students who can contribute to the global environment and the agricultural field, while also realizing the potential of GX and green biotechnology.
Tsuda University, School of International Mathematical Data Science (tentative name: under construction)
From 2028
The Department of Mathematics and Department of Information Science will be reorganized to form a new Faculty of International Mathematical Data Science (tentative name). The aim is to train female data scientists who can utilize advanced English skills, improve their mathematical skills, and cultivate cutting-edge IT and data science skills, while also developing their application and insight skills in response to social demands, and whose utilization strategies can be used worldwide.
*From the websites of the National Institution for Academic Degrees and each university
3) Reorganization of the Department of Housing Sciences and Department of Nutrition Sciences into new faculties
Many universities have been transforming their architecture departments into faculties of architecture since 2011, but in 2020, Mukogawa Women's University in Hyogo Prefecture was the first women's university to do so, transforming the Department of Architecture from the Faculty of Life and Environment. This will be followed by Kyoritsu Women's University in 2023, Japan Women's University in 2024, and Komazawa Women's University in 2025 in the Tokyo metropolitan area. As part of reorganizations that include curriculum related to housing, faculties with names other than "life science" or "home economics" have been created, such as the Faculty of Environmental Design at Jissen Women's University and the Faculty of Life and Co-creation at Tokyo Kasei Gakuin University. Many women's universities have been transforming their nutrition departments (such as the Department of Registered Dietitian Training) into faculties without the name "nutrition," but the coeducational Toyo University established the Faculty of Food and Environmental Science in 2013, and in 2021, Showa Women's University was the first women's university to reorganize its Faculty of Life Science into the Faculty of Food and Health Science. This will be followed by the School of Gastronomy at Japan Women's University in 2025.
④ Introducing a curriculum of a different field into existing departments
There are changes being made to the international and English language arts curricula to incorporate elements of "inquiry," "sociology," and "liberal arts," while other departments and faculties are incorporating elements of "data science" and "social science."
Looking at the bigger picture, there has been a trend of curriculum reforms in which elements of information, society, and social sciences are added to faculties of arts, humanities, and international studies.
●Gakushuin Women's College, Faculty of International Cultural Studies
From 2023
We have established a new data science education program, increased courses and overseas training that connect with overseas countries, new courses that tackle specific issues internationally and interdisciplinary in cooperation with local governments, and a new course called "Independent Study" that allows students to conduct research according to their own interests. There are plans to merge with Gakushuin University in 2026 and establish a Faculty of International Cultural Exchange at Gakushuin University.
● University of the Sacred Heart, Faculty of Contemporary Liberal Arts
From 2023
AI and data science subjects will become compulsory from 2023. The aim is to learn the basic knowledge and skills of AI and data science necessary in the Society 5.0 era and acquire the ability to utilize them. Taking advantage of the introduction of this curriculum, a "general selection (using the common university entrance examination method)" will be introduced from the 2025 entrance examination, allowing students to take the exam using mathematics.
Jissen Women's University, Faculty of Literature, Department of English Literature
From 2024
In the new curriculum, we will consider gender and diversity through English-speaking culture and linguistics. We aim to produce talent that can support others from various cultural backgrounds, respect themselves and others, and build a society where diverse people can live together. In addition, we will further enhance social collaboration subjects in collaboration with famous companies and local governments, and career subjects in all departments of the Faculty of Letters.
Jissen Women's University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
From 2024
The two-department system has been changed to a three-department system: Department of Human and Social Sciences, Department of Business and Social Sciences, and Department of Social Design. In addition to the existing departments of gender, psychology, management, economics, law, and sociology, the school has incorporated "data science," "next-generation media," and "design thinking," evolving into a faculty where students can acquire the ability to see society from various perspectives.
●Japan Women's University, Faculty of Literature, Department of English Literature
From 2024
The "Global Leadership Program" has been introduced, which teaches liberal arts for international people in English. It is a minor-type course that combines on-demand lectures, classroom exercises, and overseas training, and is available to all students in the Department of English Literature.
Atomi Women's University All faculties
From 2025
The program aims to raise interest in mathematics, data science, and AI, and to foster the basic ability to properly understand and utilize them. In addition, career-related subjects will be made compulsory in order to develop women who can play active roles throughout their lives as members of society and professionals.
●Showa Women's University, Faculty of International Studies
From 2025
The Department of English Communication in the Faculty of International Studies was renamed the Department of International Liberal Arts, and the Department of International Japanese Studies was established. The Department of International Liberal Arts uses American-style liberal arts education to nurture talent that can function in a global society with logical and critical thinking skills and excellent problem-finding and problem-solving abilities. The Department of International Japanese Studies has established a curriculum that provides in-depth study of Japan Studies, intercultural understanding, and tourism and regional revitalization.
Tokyo Kasei University, Faculty of Humanities, Department of Psychological Counseling, "Management Course"
From 2026
The new "Management Course" will be established in the Department of Psychological Counseling, and the existing curriculum will be reorganized into the "School Health Course" and the "Psychological Support Course." The three-course system will develop talent who can solve social issues with the power of psychology and counseling skills. The newly established "Management Course" will include many specialized subjects, such as psychology related to society, such as consumer behavior and marketing, and psychology related to the well-being of individuals and organizations.
⑤ December scholarship entrance exams & year-end entrance exams Scholarship system
Some women's universities have previously adopted scholarship entrance exams held in December, but Atsumi Women's University will be introducing the system for the 12 entrance exams. This will bring the total number of universities in the Tokyo metropolitan area to four. Japan Women's University will also be launching a new scholarship, the Oukafuju Grant Scholarship, from 2025, which will provide students from rural areas with tuition fees and four years of tuition. Seisen University's School of Global Citizenship will be introducing a new comprehensive selection system with a field work fee exemption (preferential treatment).
Many universities offer scholarships and tuition exemptions to top-achieving students in the general selection process, but there are few universities that offer scholarships for entrance exams held later this year, so this could be a new trend for women's universities.
