Kyoto Notre Dame Women's University, a prestigious institution known as one of the "Kansai Women's Big Three," announced on April 25, 2025, that it will suspend student recruitment from the academic year 2026 onwards. This decision, made during a board of directors meeting on April 22, comes in response to a continuing decline in enrollment numbers, primarily attributed to Japan's declining birthrate and a growing trend toward coeducation.
Founded in 1961, Kyoto Notre Dame Women's University has long been recognized for its commitment to "Virtue and Knowledge," offering a comprehensive education that emphasizes English language skills, international education grounded in Catholic values, and women's life career education. The university has produced many notable graduates, including professionals in various fields such as media, education, and the arts.
Despite its strong educational foundation, the university has faced significant challenges in recent years. The number of students admitted has consistently fallen below the set quota, which stood at 330 students. In the 2024 academic year, only 186 students enrolled, highlighting a troubling trend that has persisted since 2021.
In light of these challenges, the university has attempted to implement various strategies to ensure its survival, including the establishment of new faculties. In 2023, it introduced the Faculty of Social Informatics, which was renamed the Faculty of Social Informatics in 2025, and launched the Faculty of Women's Career Design in 2025. Additionally, plans were in place to reorganize the Faculty of International Languages and Cultures into the Department of Languages and Cultures in the Faculty of Humanities by 2026. However, these measures proved insufficient to reverse the declining enrollment.
As the university prepares to halt recruitment, it has assured current students that it will maintain educational quality and provide a fulfilling student life until they graduate. The university's administration has pledged to offer comprehensive support for employment and further education to ensure that students do not experience any disadvantages during this transition. "We will carefully provide employment support and guarantee further education, and will take measures to ensure that students do not suffer any disadvantages," the administration stated.
The decision to suspend recruitment marks a significant moment in the history of women's higher education in Japan. Experts have noted that the landscape for women's universities is becoming increasingly challenging. According to one expert, the gap between women's universities is likely to widen in the future as enrollment numbers continue to decline. This situation is compounded by the fact that women's universities typically cater to a limited demographic—female high school graduates—making it increasingly difficult for them to maintain viable enrollment levels.
In the Kansai region, Kyoto Notre Dame Women's University is not alone in facing these difficulties. It follows the trend set by other institutions, such as Kobe Kaisei Women's Gakuin University, which suspended recruitment in 2023. Over the past several years, a total of 22 universities have announced recruitment suspensions, with five of those being women's universities.
As the university approaches its closure, which is expected to occur in March 2029 after the graduation of the current students, the administration has expressed understanding for the sadness felt by alumni and the broader community. The university has requested continued support from its graduates during this transitional period.
While Kyoto Notre Dame Women's University will cease its undergraduate programs, the Notre Dame Women's Junior and Senior High School and Notre Dame Gakuin Elementary School, which are operated by the same educational corporation, will continue their educational activities unaffected by the university's closure.
This decision has sent shockwaves through the community, as many see it as a loss of a cherished institution that has played a vital role in women's education in Japan. The university's rich history and commitment to fostering women's education have left an indelible mark on the lives of countless students.
Notable alumni include Yuriko Otani, a free producer who worked as a manager for famous comedians at Yoshimoto Kogyo, veteran voice actress Makiko Watanabe, and freelance announcer Masae Matsuoka, who has worked with NHK Kyoto Broadcasting Station. The legacy of Kyoto Notre Dame Women's University is reflected in the successes of its graduates, many of whom have made significant contributions to society.
As the university navigates this challenging transition, it remains committed to providing a supportive environment for its current students while acknowledging the profound impact of its closure on the alumni network and the community at large. The future of women's universities in Japan remains uncertain, as institutions grapple with the realities of declining birthrates and changing educational preferences.
In a statement, the university expressed, "We have been promoting various measures to ensure the university's survival, but we have come to the painful decision that we have no choice but to suspend recruitment." This sentiment captures the difficult choices many educational institutions face in an evolving landscape.
