Lifelong Learning and Social Education Policy - Japan

Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

• Toward the Realization of Lifelong Learning Society
• Promotion of Social Education and Support for Family Education
• Improving the Learning Environment and Enhancing Learning Opportunities

Toward the Realization of Lifelong Learning Society

In order to create an enriching and dynamic society in the 21st century, it is vital to aim toward the realization of a lifelong learning society in which people can freely choose learning opportunities and learn at any time during their lives, and receive proper recognition for their learning achievements.

The following factors have been identified as reasons for the need to create a lifelong learning society, and why further enhancement of efforts to this end are required:

• the need to remedy Japanese society's preoccupation with academic credentials;
• increased demand for learning activities in a developing society;
• the need for learning in response to social and economic change; and
• the need to revive and improve the educational strengths of the home and the local community.

Responding accurately to such learning needs not only serves to improve the careers of those studying, but also helps in the development of human resources which can be the backbone for social systems, significantly contributing to the development of both society and the economy.

In order to build a lifelong learning society by promoting a comprehensive and diverse range of learning opportunities, MEXT works in conjunction and cooperation with other relevant ministries and agencies to implement policies regarding the promotion of school education, social education, culture and sports, all of which contribute to lifelong learning.

Promotion of Social Education and Support for Family Education

Social education plays a key role in the realization of a lifelong learning society. As social education activities are performed on the underlying basis of the voluntary will of the individual. Therefore, MEXT works to foster and secure social education instructors and to establish and enhance social education facilities, as well as to promote social education programs in all areas.

Specifically, MEXT works to provide learning opportunities to all strata of society, including young people, adults and women, in such areas as contemporary issues, providing support for a range of regional and volunteer activities that help to deepen a sense of community among local residents, and promote the social participation of people, such as the elderly. In addition, MEXT works to promote audio-visual education and improve human rights education.

MEXT also supports family education through its counseling system on family education, provides learning opportunities for parents, and creates networks to support child-rearing in local communities, which works to enhance education toward a gender equal society.

Improving the Learning Environment and Enhancing Learning Opportunities

The improvement of social education facilities such as public halls and libraries and the provision of learning opportunities are implemented by local governments in accordance with the situation in each region. Private-sector education programs and associations, including social correspondence education and culture centers, also play a major role. In order to further promote these local government and private-sector activities, MEXT is taking a variety of measures, including:

• improving systems for promoting lifelong learning;
• improving the learning infrastructure on a national scale, which is difficult for local governments and the private sector; and
• providing support to local governments and the private sector.

Specifically, toward implementation of the complete five-day school week in FY2002, MEXT is moving forward with the National Children's Plan centered around the nationwide spread of Children's Centers and the establishment of Children's Broadcasting Stations and is developing various policies to promote activities of parents and children with the view to rearing vigorous children with aspirations in local communities.

MEXT is also working to expand diverse, comprehensive learning opportunities, such as improving and enhancing the University of the Air, promoting special training college education, implementing university entrance qualification tests, expanding the entry of adults into higher education, and increasing university extension courses and classes open to the public.

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