Without abundant natural resources on which to draw, Japan's intellectual resources have been the basis of our country's development to date. Standard of living, industrial development, and national power are directly and deeply related to higher education, and universities thus bear a public responsibility as key players in education and research. Given this deep relationship between higher education and national power, countries around the world are taking a long-term perspective and actively increasing investment in higher education. Yet Japan alone is reducing investment. 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 threatens the very foundations of our society. Additional investment and a clear national strategic vision for the future of higher education are essential prerequisites for ensuring Japan's sustainable development in the knowledge-based society of the 21st century. In partnership with public and private university associations, the Japan Association of National Universities (JANU) seeks strongly to promote dialogue between academia and government based on the awareness that investment in universities is investment in the future.

In the current environment of international competition, Japan's national universities serve a dual role, as national centers that engage in competition at the global level, and as regional centers that contribute to the development of their local areas and society. Through outstanding research and education programs based on that research, Japan's national universities have produced talented individuals. At the same time, through relatively low tuition fees and by being located throughout the country, national universities have also played a key role in guaranteeing equal access to higher education, and acting as hubs for the training of skilled professionals supporting the regions. In this context, and particularly since incorporation, national universities have energetically engaged in a variety of reforms. While maintaining awareness of its unique institutional philosophy and individual character, each university has created new management strategies, revitalized its education and research activities, enhanced student services, and promoted industry-academia partnerships and contributions to regional society. It has been suggested, however, that society is not sufficiently aware of the many outstanding initiatives promoted by national universities. JANU will continue to strive to improve transparency in the activities of national universities, and by enhancing the understanding of government and society, further develop the educational activities of national universities.

As the first year of their stage two midterm goals and plans, the 2010/11 academic year is a further step toward the next phase of development for national universities. While continuing our unflagging efforts for reform, Japan's national universities, as hubs of knowledge, will promote activities to provide humankind with a reliable compass to the future. As conditions surrounding Japan's national universities become increasingly unfavorable, we urge your continued support for Japan's national universities and your warm cooperation with the Japan Association of National Universities.