Fukui Prefectural University, located in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, has seen an unprecedented surge in admission applications to its newly established department, reaching almost 100 times the available capacity. This suggests an astounding demand for the institute's programs and is a testament to the university's prestige within the Japanese higher education landscape. The revelation of these application rates has sparked discussions about the state of higher education in Japan and potential reforms.

In Japan, university prestige and high demand for specific departments greatly influence a student's career opportunities and social standing. Therefore, having a high application-to-admission ratio like Fukui Prefectural University reflects its perceived prestige and desirability. Also, it highlights the competition and high academic standards in Japan, which can potentially exacerbate student stress levels and inequality in access to higher education.

Similarly, in the US and EU, renowned universities also experience high application rates. However, universities in these regions often have more extensive and varied admission processes, not relying solely on entrance examination scores but also on high school grades, letters of recommendations, personal statements, and interviews, aiming to select a more diverse student body.