This article deals with the various problems related to the given title from four sections. Section "Social function of the academic research enterprise (ARE)" focuses on three problems: Framework of the research on the ARE; Functions of the graduate school in the ARE; and Centers of learning and Japanese ARE. Section "Structure of ARE" discusses two problems: Structure of social stratification and the structure of ARE in the policy framework for the current ARE. Section "Social condition of ARE" argues over three problems: Social condition of the ARE; The effects of change of national policy on the ARE; and National government policy for the ARE in the postwar period. Section "The impacts of the national government policies on ARE" treats three problems: Trend of the recent national government policy on the ARE; Some unintended effects of the policies; and Discussion of proposals for reform. These discussions lead to concluding remarks.