Abstract: As one of the earliest countries to enter a low birth rate society, Japan has conducted long-term exploration and practice in responding to demographic changes in higher education. Confronted with multiple challenges, including shrinking student populations,regional development disparities, and market imbalances, Japan implemented comprehensive reforms focused on quality enhancement, equitable opportunities, and optimized scale. Through coordinated efforts in curriculum design,resource allocation,student management,and international expansion, the country has established a holistic governance framework to mitigate the impacts of low birth rates.

Key words: low birth rates, higher education, internationalization