Japan's college entrance ratio marks record high

A Japanese government survey shows that more than 56 percent of high school graduates went on to higher education this year, marking the highest ratio on record.

The education ministry survey says that nearly 682,000 people, or 56.2 percent, entered universities, colleges, or junior colleges in April -- the start of a new school year.

The percentage of collegians has increased for 7 years in a row.

The ministry says while the percentage of those choosing junior colleges is on the decline, the number of students entering colleges and universities has steadily increased since 1991. This year, the rate topped 50 percent for the first time.

Behind the growing enrollment rate are a decline in the population of 18-year-olds and a rise in the number of colleges.

This year, the number of 18-year-olds was 1.21 million, which is less than 60 percent of the figure in 1992, when the age bracket was at its peak. The number of colleges in Japan now stands at 773 - a record high.

While the percentage of those entering colleges rose, the future of those graduating from them looks rather bleak. Of those who graduated this spring, only 68.4 percent were able to land jobs, which is down 1.5 percentage points from a year before.