Management of Internationalization in Japanese Universities: Towards the development of collaborative relationship between academic and administrative staff

This study investigates the national policy and institutional initiatives in Japan for improving university management from the viewpoint of internationalization. Special focus is given to the organizational notion of collaborative relationships between academic and administrative units, which is described as kyōshoku kyōdō in the context of Japanese higher education institutions. Through an examination of policy reports on university management and the design of the latest governmental project for university internationalization, called “Top Global University,” two arguments will be considered: First, capacity development of an organization, rather than that of individual university staff, is necessary for organizational change toward better management of internationalization. Second, deep deliberation on the meaning of kyōshoku kyōdō is needed in individual institutions to fully internalize the concept within their own contexts.