2008年 文部科学白書（英文）

2008 White Paper on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Comprehensive Promotion of Education Policy/
Internationalization of Universities and Their Local Contribution

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Symbol Mark

For the symbol mark of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology （MEXT）, a “compass” has been chosen as the motif. This represents the role of MEXT in aiming for a hopeful future through the promotion of education, science and technology, sports, and culture. The upper circle symbolizes the direction in which we should advance, and denotes a posture of sincerely and enthusiastically committing ourselves fully to our duties without losing sight of this mission. The straight lines radiating and expanding out from the center of the bottom circle expresses MEXT’s posture of being open to the society. At the same time, using an amiable and simple design allows for the free association of various images, such as people and the earth, to spread outward.
Blue, a color which Japanese people have been familiar with since time immemorial, was chosen as the basic tone for the color, with “lapis blue” and “sky blue” being utilized. “Lapis blue” signifies strong determination, dignity, and intelligence, while “sky blue” represents sincerity and expanding out into the future.
This symbol mark was created on the occasion of our relocation to a new government building in January 2008 as part of initiatives designed to further deepen communication with the general public as a whole. MEXT will strive to carry out its duties without losing sight of the significance that this mark has been imbued with.

Contents

Foreword

Chapter 1:Comprehensive Promotion of Educational Policy

Section 1:The Formulation of the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education.

1．The History of the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education
2．Overview of the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education
3．The Promotion of Educational Reform Based on the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education

Section 2:The Recent Status of Deliberations Regarding Educational Policies.

1．The Status of Deliberations by the Central Council for Education
　（1）In Relation to the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education
　（2）In Relation to Career Education/Vocational Education
　（3）In Relation to Lifelong Learning
　（4）In Relation to Primary and Secondary education
　（5）In Relation to Higher Education
　（6）In Relation to Sports and Youth

2．Surveys at the National Institute for Educational Policy Research
　（1）International Joint Research/International Cooperation
　（2）Surveys on Education System and Management
　（3）Surveys on Curriculum, Academic Ability and Student Guidance and Counseling
　（4）Surveys on Science Education
　（5）Higher Education

Section 3:Trends of Educational Reforms in Other Countries

1．Situations Surrounding Education in Other Countries
2．Trends in Educational Reforms in Other Countries
　（1）The United States of America
　（2）The United Kingdom
　（3）France
　（4）Germany
　（5）China
　（6）Republic of Korea

Chapter 2:Internationalization of Universities and Their Local Contribution

Section 1:Internationalization of Universities.

1．Significance of Internationalization of Universities
　（1）Roles and Internationalization of Universities
　（2）Current Status and Issues of Internationalization of Universities

2．New Trends in Internationalization of Universities and Improvement of International Competitiveness
　（1）Basic Concept
　（2）Realization of Education with Quality Assurance
　（3）Building Organized and Continuous Cooperation
　（4）Initiatives for Higher Education Offered Across Borders
　（5）Support by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology for Universities that Strive for Internationalization and Improvement of International Competitiveness

3．The “300,000 International Students Plan”
　（1）Introduction to international student policies
　（2）Formulation and promotion of the “300,000 International Students Plan”

4．Case of Characteristic Initiative in Universities
　（1）Double Degree Program
　（2）Network among International Universities
　（3）Universities that Offer Degrees with Courses Only in English
　（4）Universities Promote the Improvement of English Skills of Teachers and Staff
　（5）Recruitment of International Students by Utilizing Overseas Offices

5．Initiatives for Internationalization of Universities in Other Countries
　（1）EU
　（2）The United States
　（3）The United Kingdom
　（4）France
　（5）Germany
　（6）China
　（7）Republic of Korea

Section 2:Development of Community and University.

1．Roles of universities in community development
　（1）Offering opportunities for university education
　（2）Development of Specialized Human Resources that Support the Community
　（3）Contributing Intellectual Resources of Universities to the Community
　（4）Initiatives of Public Universities

2．Initiatives of Universities to Contribute to Development of the Community
　（1）Initiative in Collaboration with Local Public Organization
　（2）Initiatives in Cooperation with High Schools
　（3）Initiatives in Cooperation with Industries

3．Support for Universities that Contribute to the Development of the Community
　（1）Support Project for Strategic University Collaborations
　（2）Program for Education Promotion in Response to the Re-learning Needs of Adults
　（3）Project for Practical Human Resource Development by Industry-University Cooperation.
　（4）Flexibility of Donation by Local Public Organizations toward the National University Cooperation, etc
　（5）Special Education and Research Expenses in the Subsidy by the National University Cooperation for Operating Expenses
　（6）Special Subsidies in the Ordinary Expense Subsidies for Private Universities
　（7）Enhancement of Regional Innovation Systems
　（8）Promotion of the Application of Research Outcomes at Universities for the Benefit of Society

4．Characteristic Initiatives by the Community and Universities
　（1）Initiative of Kitakyushu Science and Research Park
　（2）Initiative of YURNS （Yamagata University Research Network System）
　（3）Initiative of University Consortium Ishikawa

Topics.

Chapter 1　Creation of a Lifelong Learning Society.

Topic 1　Amendment of Social Education Act and Other Acts and Review of Ordinances in the Related Ministries
Topic 2　The Future of Career Education and Vocational Education in Schools

Chapter 2　Enhancement of Primary and Secondary Education.

Topic 3　Revision of the Courses for Study Based on the Revision of the Basic Act on Education
Topic 4　Promotion of Centre for Early Childhood Education and Care

Chapter 3　For the Diverse Development of Higher Education.

Topic 5　The Future of University Education in the Mid-to Long-terms Consultation to the Central Council for Education　September 11th, 2008

Chapter 4　Promotion of Private School

Topic 6　Enhancement of Support for Private School’s Uniqueness

Chapter 5　Comprehensive Promotion of Science and Technology Policy

Topic 7　Japanese won the Nobel Prize in Physics and Chemistry in 2008
Topic 8　The Japanese Experiment Module; Kibo （JEM） / Wakata, the First Japanese Astronaut to Stay for a Long Time in the International Space Station
Topic 9　Development of Leading-edge Technology for Anti-Terrorism

Chapter 6　Promotion of Sports and Development of Physical and Mental Health.

Topic 10　Results of the Beijing Olympic Games and Japan’s Bid to Host the 2016 Olympic Games
Topic 11　National Survey Results of the Physical Strength, Exercise Ability and Exercise Habits in Fiscal 2008
Topic 12　Comprehensive Measures for the Promotion of Dietary Education

Chapter 7　Nation Building on Culture and the Arts.

Topic 13　The Council for Strategy of Cultural Communication “Cultural Communication to Improve Understanding and Interest in Japanese Culture” （report）
Topic 14　The Synthetic Approach to Cultural Property

Chapter 8　Enhancement of Communication and Cooperation.

Topic 15　Education for Sustainable Development （ESD）

Chapter 9　New Deployment in an Advanced Information and Telecommunication Network Society

Topic 16　Promotion of Utilization of Digital TV for Education

Chapter 10　Building Safe and High-Quality School Facilities and Enhancing Disaster Prevention Measures

Topic 17　[Promotion Improvement in Earthquake Resistance of Public School Facilities]

Chapter 11　Promotion of Administrative Reform and Policy Assessment.

Topic 18　Evaluation Report on Important Target Field “Child Rearing Support Service Related to Measures on Declining Birthrate” and “Youth Employment Measures”