Overview of Japan's National and Public Universities 2026 Vacancy Second Recruitment
In Japan's higher education system, national universities (kokuritsu daigaku, 国立大学) and public universities (kouritsu daigaku, 公立大学) play a pivotal role, offering high-quality, affordable education funded primarily by the government. These institutions are renowned for their rigorous admissions processes, which include the University Entrance Common Test (Daigaku Nyuushi Center Shiken, or Center Test) followed by individual university exams. However, even after the main selection rounds, vacancies often arise due to students declining offers for private universities or other reasons. This leads to the 'vacancy second recruitment' or 'kakuin hojo dai-ni ji boshu' (欠員補充第2次募集), a crucial late-March opportunity for qualified applicants to secure spots.
As of March 9, 2026, several prominent national and public universities have announced their second recruitment phases. This process is governed by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) guidelines, allowing universities to fill remaining seats starting March 28, typically requiring in-person document submission, interviews, or document reviews—no full Common Test retake needed for most. It's a lifeline for students who met initial qualifications but missed earlier rounds, amid Japan's declining 18-year-old population and shifting applicant preferences toward private institutions with higher acceptance rates or specialized programs.
Why Vacancies Occur in National and Public Universities
Japan's university admissions are highly competitive, with national universities boasting applicant ratios around 3.9 to 4.3 times capacity in 2026. Despite this, vacancies emerge post-main rounds for several reasons:
- Multiple Offers and Declines: Students often receive offers from multiple top nationals like University of Tokyo (2.8x ratio) or Kyoto University (3.1x), choosing one and leaving others open.
- Preference for Privates: Private universities saw applicant surges (e.g., Kinki University 159k apps), drawing safety-net choices.
- Demographic Decline: Fewer high school graduates (1.09 million 18-year-olds) exacerbate mismatches in less popular fields like certain humanities or regional programs.
- Field-Specific Demand: High-demand areas like medicine maintain low vacancies, while education, agriculture, and disability-focused programs see more openings.
This second recruitment ensures optimal enrollment, maintaining educational quality and resource utilization. For 2026, national universities had 419,258 secondary exam applicants for 97,399 spots—a slight dip signaling broader trends.
List of Universities Participating in 2026 Second Recruitment
Key institutions announcing second recruitment as of March 9 include:
| University | Published Date | Key Departments | Application Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido University of Education | Mar 9 | Sapporo: Arts/PE-Music; Asahikawa: Arts/Health PE-Music | Details post-Mar 24 |
| Shizuoka University | Mar 9 | Education: Nursing Ed; Humanities Night: Law (6), Economics (2) | Mar 28-29 |
| Tsukuba University of Technology | Mar 6 | Health Sci; Industrial Tech; Coexistence Soc-Visually Impaired | Mar 30 |
| Tohoku Agro-Forestry Professional University | Mar 6 | Agriculture Mgmt (5); Forestry Mgmt (5) | Mar 28 |
| Okayama University | Mar 2 | Medicine Regional Quota (Okayama/Hyogo) | Post-Mar 28 |
Check Kei-Net for updates—more universities may join.
Detailed Breakdown: Hokkaido University of Education
Targeting music education aspirants, this northern national university focuses on teacher training. Quotas TBD, but expect small numbers (1-2 per field). Submit online + documents post-Mar 24; selection via guidelines-specified methods. Ideal for Common Test-qualified students passionate about arts education.
Shizuoka University: Opportunities in Education and Night Courses
Shizuoka offers 1 spot in nursing teacher training (6-subj Common Test required) and 8 in night law/economics (principal recommendation needed). Submit Mar 28-29 in-person, no individual exam—purely document-based for efficiency. Perfect for working students or locals.
Tsukuba University of Technology: Specialized for Disabled Students
This unique national uni supports visually/hearing impaired: Health Sci, Industrial Info/Design, Coexistence Visually Impaired. Tests: docs/interview ± Common Test/essay/math. Apps Mar 30; announcement same day. Requires disability certificate.
Tohoku and Okayama: Agriculture, Forestry, and Medicine
Tohoku AF Pro Uni: 10 spots total in ag/forestry mgmt; docs/interview Mar 28. Okayama Med regional quota: details mid-Mar, post-Mar 28 start—vital for local healthcare training.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Monitor Announcements: Check uni sites/Kei-Net daily from mid-Mar.
- Prepare Docs: Transcript, photo, disability cert if applicable, principal rec.
- Internet Prelim + In-Person: Most require both; Mar 28-30 windows.
- Test/Interview: Often same day; prepare for docs review, essays.
- Announcement & Enroll: Same/immediate day; pay fees promptly.
Strict must-arrive-by deadlines; post offices crowded—plan ahead. For Japan page updates, visit AcademicJobs Japan.
Eligibility Criteria and Common Requirements
Typically: Passed Common Test minimums, no prior acceptance to any national/public uni by Mar 24. High school grads or equiv. Specifics vary—e.g., Shizuoka night courses need rec; Tsukuba disability proof. No age limit usually, but recent grads prioritized. International students rare in this late round; check EJU/Common Test scores.
Tips for Success and Preparation
- Review past Common Test scores—key for many.
- Practice interviews: Explain motivation, career goals.
- Local advantage: In-person favors nearby applicants.
- Backup privates: But nationals offer ~535,800 JPY/year tuition (half privates).
- Scholarships: Link to AcademicJobs scholarships post-admission.
Consult guidance counselors; mock interviews boost chances.
Trends and Statistics: Enrollment Pressures
2026 saw stable national apps (235k general), but vacancies highlight polarization: Medicine 5-10x ratios, education/ag lower. Low birthrates (1.09M cohort) push unis to maximize capacity; second rounds fill ~1-10 spots each. Broader: Teacher shortages (4,317 unfilled K-12) boost ed programs appeal.
Future Outlook and Next Steps
With demographic cliffs ahead, expect more flexible admissions. Successful admits join April 2026; prepare for orientation. Explore careers via higher ed career advice, rate profs at Rate My Professor, or browse higher ed jobs and university jobs. For faculty insights, post a job.
Act fast—these spots vanish quickly. Good luck!
