Japan seeks review of University of Tokyo presidential selection
The government had never before requested such a review of a university’s choice of president.
Japan’s education ministry has called on the University of Tokyo to examine the process that led to its choice of a new president. The university appointed its first female president after she ranked second in a vote among faculty, raising questions about the screening body’s reasoning.
No previous government request had concerned a university’s process for selecting its president.
Education minister Yoshihiro Seki said an examination undertaken by the university itself would be an initial step toward reform and help ensure accountability in its governance. The ministry asked for the university’s management policy council to conduct that examination, he said.
The screening committee, which has 16 members, said it wanted someone with high ethical standards to lead the institution and regain public confidence following a succession of scandals.
