The Dawn of the AI Age of Sail: Reflections on the Impending Surge of Japanese Universities in World Rankings

 The Dawn of the AI Age of Sail: Reflections on the Impending Surge of Japanese Universities in World Rankings

With the arrival of the AI era, the language barrier has practically vanished. When I proposed to an AI that this shift would trigger a massive surge in the global rankings of Japan’s leading universities, including the University of Tokyo (Todai), the AI largely agreed. However, it also pointed out several remaining hurdles.

Japan still possesses a significant number of undiscovered geniuses.

Naturally, Todai attracts top-tier students from all across the country. Yet, across many institutions — not just Todai — there are individuals who do not merely possess vast knowledge or excellent grades, but who also excel in original thinking, innovative ideas, and creativity.

The language barrier has historically been particularly steep in the humanities. Once this barrier disappears, the opportunity for the world to recognize the true value of Japanese research will skyrocket.

While the AI agreed with these points — and with the idea that Japan will be able to attract top global talent — it highlighted three major problem areas that Japan still lacks: the massive financial power of ultra-elite foreign universities, talent mobility, and robust industry-academic collaboration.

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I completely agree with the AI’s assessment that Japan still lags in all three areas. In particular, talent mobility is virtually non-existent. While I am unsure of the exact situation today, in the past, it was rare to find even a single Todai professor who was not a Todai alumnus.

This stems from the detrimental effects of academic factionalism (gakubatsu-shugi).

It is a bad habit where professorships are allocated based on university pedigree rather than research achievements. I am unsure how to fix this, or even if it should be completely undone. It is human nature to hold an affection for one’s alma mater and show it favoritism. Furthermore, it is completely logical that those who teach Todai students must be exceptionally brilliant Todai graduates themselves to command respect. However, it remains a serious problem if researchers with superior achievements are denied positions simply because they graduated from a different institution.

Geographical preferences also play a role — some prefer the Kanto region, others Kansai, and some are deeply attached to Kyushu. While professors in the United States also frequently teach at their alma maters, does the US simply lack the absolute rigidity seen in Japan?

The three challenges raised by the AI will require deep deliberation moving forward. However, I have a feeling that with the dawn of this new “Age of Sail” triggered by AI, these issues will naturally dissolve before long.

While it may take some time for Japanese universities to break into the ranks of the world’s top five ultra-elite institutions, Todai’s current global ranking of 36th feels far lower than its actual capability. I truly believe it belongs in the top 10 to 15.