The Ministry of Education announced that the government plans to allocate significant research funding to Tohoku University. This marks the inaugural initiative under a program designed to enhance the standing of Japanese research institutions on the global stage. Located in Sendai, in northeastern Japan, Tohoku University has been chosen as the sole recipient of these grants, which will be financed from earnings derived from a 10 trillion yen ($63.5 billion) fund over a period of up to 25 years starting from fiscal year 2024.

Targets have been established along with strategies to achieve them, including organizational reforms focused on internationalization by substantially boosting the presence of foreign students in its undergraduate programs. Japanese universities have lagged behind their international counterparts in recent years. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024, the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University held positions 29th and 55th respectively, representing the only Japanese institutions within the top 100.

Last June, the country's leading universities, including the top two, along with Tohoku University, were initially considered for the grants. However, they were ultimately not chosen as finalists, as the ministry noted their insufficient efforts in reforming their research organizations and management systems.

Tohoku University is anticipated to receive formal designation as a grant recipient as soon as this autumn, with an expected allocation of approximately 10 billion yen for fiscal year 2024, ending in March next year. The government intends to invite universities to reapply for the program during the fiscal year.