Inter- and intra-regional dynamics on the idea of universities in East Asia: perspectives from Japan

The authors analyze the profile and dynamism of the Japanese higher education system in comparison with the higher education systems of other East Asian countries, with special reference to East-West hybrid patterns. The authors reflect on the development and transformation of Japanese higher education, especially its interaction with neighboring higher education systems. The authors argue that the stress of competition and hierarchical recognition in regional higher education settings at the macro level may impede active interaction among various Asian higher education systems and institutions. At the institutional level, however, the linkage and interaction between Japanese universities and other Asian universities have been strengthened and deepened. Now, these institutional initiatives are resulting in the convergence of the Japanese higher education with regional higher education systems in terms of institutional values and identities.