文科省の東大検証要請は法35条を避けた依頼 品格ある対応と言えるのか? / Education Ministry's Request to the University of Tokyo Sidesteps Article 35

文科相が国立大学に是正を求める仕組みは国立大学法人法35条にあり、不正や法令違反、そのおそれがある場合に限られます。 今回、文科省はその是正要求を使わず、法律上の手続きを持たない「依頼」の形を取りました。不正を認めず、任命拒否もしないまま、大臣が任命・承認する監事と運営方針会議に検証を促す手法です。形式を踏まずに影響力を及ぼすやり方は、おかしくないか、品格があるのか、という疑問が残ります。これで本気度が見えないと思うのはわたし達だけでしょうか？

The Ministry of Education’s Request for Verification to the University of Tokyo: A "Request" Sidestepping Article 35 — Can It Really Be Called a Dignified Response?

The mechanism by which the Minister of Education can demand corrective action from a national university is set out in Article 35 of the National University Corporation Act. It can be used only in cases of misconduct, legal violations, or the risk of such violations. This time, the Ministry of Education did not invoke that demand for corrective action. Instead, it chose the form of a “request,” which has no basis in legal procedure. Without acknowledging any wrongdoing and without refusing the appointment, the Ministry is urging the university auditors and the Management Policy Council—both appointed or approved by the Minister—to conduct a verification. Exerting influence without following formal procedures leaves us wondering: Isn’t this strange? Can it really be called a response with dignity? Are we the only ones who feel that this approach fails to convey genuine seriousness?