Integration Models and Characteristics of General-Professional Education in Japanese Universities’ Wedge-shaped Curriculum System—A Case Study of Five Regional Comprehensive Universities

With the growing demand for interdisciplinary and versatile talents, Japanese regional comprehensive universities have made significant progress in integrating general and professional education. This study focuses on five model universities (Niigata University, Kanazawa University, Shinshu University, Taisho University, and Tokyo City University) selected under the Japanese Ministry of Education’s “Human Resource Development Project for a Knowledge-Intensive Society”. It examines their approaches and distinctive features in achieving this integration. The findings reveal that these universities have successfully bridged general and professional education through modular curriculum design, interdisciplinary collaboration mechanisms, and phased competency development. The study demonstrates that the essence of integration lies in addressing societal needs and transforming general education into a foundation for specialized learning through institutional innovation, thereby cultivating professionals with both disciplinary depth and interdisciplinary perspectives. Japan’s experience offers valuable insights for Chinese universities in promoting curriculum reform under the “New Liberal Arts” and “New Engineering” initiatives.