University of Tokyo eyes 1st tuition hike in 20 years as state grants wane

The University of Tokyo said Tuesday it will raise its tuition for new students who will enroll from April next year amid declining state grants, making it the first such hike in 20 years.The prestigious national university pushed ahead with the hike despite opposition from some students and faculty members, setting its annual tuition cost at 642,960 yen ($4,500), up about 107,000 yen.The university's President Teruo Fujii told a press conference that improving the educational environment is an issue that should be dealt with immediately, citing the "increasingly severe global competition."…READ FULL ARTICLE