National universities serve a dual role, as national centers that compete at the global level, and as regional centers that contribute to the development of their community and nation. Outstanding research at Japan's national universities and education programs based on that research have produced talented human resources. At the same time, with relatively low tuition fees and being located throughout the country, national universities have also played a key role in guaranteeing equal access to higher education, and as hubs for the training of skilled professionals in each region.

A number of important facts have come to light from looking at the validation results of Stage 1 of the midterm goals period, compiled by the Japan Association of National Universities this March. Since their restructuring as national university corporations, each university has aimed to recreate itself as an individual university with a unique presence and to provide not only a high quality education that draws on its uniqueness, but also further promote basic and fundamental research activities. In addition, each university has its own unique strategies to vitalize closer industry-academia-government links with local corporations and regional administrative bodies; to expand international exchange by, for example, signing agreements with overseas universities or increasing their acceptance of international students; to contribute to medical health by being, thanks to its university hospital, the final guarantee of treatment in each region; and to actively propagate information to society as an "open university." These and other approaches that put to work the special features of a national university corporation are being vigorously carried forward under the leadership of each university president.

Despite these efforts, as a percentage of GDP, our public expenditure on higher education is the lowest of all OECD member states and less than half the OECD average, a situation that deeply affects the stability not only of national university operation but of the very foundations of our society. In partnership with public and private university associations, we strongly seek to promote dialogue between academia and government based on the awareness that national investment in universities is investment in the future.

In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, university research and education is widely expected to form one of the pillars of restoration of disaster area and Japan's revitalization. We also hope to further enhance the functions of national universities in the face of growing international competition while other countries promote their education and research as a key party. To that end, we will carry out unceasing efforts to reform management and increase the transparency of education, research, and social contributions at national universities, engaging with stakeholders and citizens in order to properly fulfill our duty as national universities.

As conditions surrounding Japan's national universities become ever tighter, we urge your continued support for Japan's national universities and your firm cooperation with the Japan Association of National Universities.