"The number of 18-year-olds in Japan peaked in 1992 at 2.05 million, dwindling to about 1.2 million by 2012. During that time, the number of four-year universities grew to 783 from 523. ....According to the Ministry of Education, there were 207 new departments, majors and graduate programs in 2011, and an additional 236 in 2012. In 2006, a whopping 482 new departments and majors were introduced."
Source: Japan's Hope: If You Build It, They Will Come
By MIKI TANIKAWA
Published: February 25, 2013
New York Times