This chapter sheds light on the shifts in university admissions policies and practices that have taken place in Japan. It enables readers to understand how university admissions take place, what reforms are being implemented, the challenges they are meant to address, and the rationales behind these reforms. In Japan, admissions processes have long played a significant role in bridging high school and higher education. The common practice, often described colloquially as “examination hell,” relies heavily on standardized testing and requires students to earn high scores on written examinations to win entrance to top-tier institutions. However, admissions practices are currently undergoing significant reforms, coinciding with other reforms to high school and college learning. These reforms have redefined the concept of learning itself, as well as what to assess in the applicant selection process and how to do so. Thus, in recent times, the process of learning has gained more attention; today, it is not merely the possession of knowledge that is valued, but the ability to apply that knowledge and to learn more effectively.

The college admissions system in Japan

In Japan, college admission processes play a significant role in bridging high school and college education. Early specialization and a devolved selection process are two of the unique characteristics which define Japanese college admissions practices. Early specialization sets a young applicant on his or her educational track while still in the application process. Applicants are required to determine what they would like to study before entering a college. When applying, they must apply to their chosen faculty or department, not to a centralized institutional admissions office. This devolved selection process means that each department has its own admissions criteria and requirements. While central admissions offices do exist within Japanese universities, their functions differ from those of their overseas counterparts. Unlike admissions offices in other countries, they do not visit high schools, recruit students, manage applications to the university as a whole, or select students. Instead, they primarily deal with administrative and managerial tasks. Faculty members within each department set admissions policies and practices, review documents, select students, and make final decisions on acceptance.