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JAPAN BY THE JAPANESE

the University, have studied several years abroad, with the exception of those teaching subjects relating to Japan and China.

The equipment of the University can fairly bear comparison with that of the famous Universities of Europe and America, and the standard of instruction is also as high.

Candidates for admission to each of the colleges must be the graduates of the higher schools, or those who possess attainments at least equivalent to them; consequently, it is evident that only those who have received their education for fourteen years—namely, six in primary, five in secondary, and three in higher schools—can enter the Imperial Universities. Candidates for admission to the University Hall must be the graduates of one of the colleges, or those who possess equivalent attainments.

Degrees are conferred upon those who have made original investigations in art and sciences, and have passed prescribed examinations at the University Hall. The course of study extends over four years in the case of students of law and medicine, and three years in the case of students of the other colleges. Unlike European Universities, students have to enter upon a regular prescribed course of study, with a few optional subjects.

The Presidents of the Imperial Universities control all the University affairs, with a director in each college. There are over 100 chairs in the Imperial University at Tokyo, each chair being occupied by a professor, the number of chairs in the Kyoto University being somewhat fewer. In 1903 there were 4,076 students, 716 graduates of colleges, 44 graduates of University Hall, and 349 members of the faculties. The expenses amounted to £238,303.

Special schools are the institutions devoted to higher education in the arts and sciences, Imperial Universities, higher schools, and technical schools, being excepted. The State special schools include five special schools of medicine, a foreign languages school, a fine arts school, and an academy of music. The majority of the special schools established by the local governments or by private individuals are those of medicine, law, and literature. Generally speaking, the course of study extends over at least three years. Candidates for admission to special schools must be the graduates of secondary schools or girls’ high schools, or those possessing equivalent attainments. In 1903 there were 57 special schools, including 45 private establishments, with 14,573 students and 1,971 graduates. The expenses in the State and local special schools amounted to £42,440 and £22,865 respectively.

The object of technical schools is to provide necessary