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Home > White Paper > FY2006 White Paper on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology > Special Feature1 Part1 Basic Concept of Education Rebuilding


Special Feature1
Efforts in Education Rebuilding

Key Points of Special Feature 1

Human resources are indeed the foundation for the development of a nation. Japan needs warmhearted and robust human resources with abundant individuality and creativity in order to be an affluent country that will continue to have the vitality for growth into the future. While the post-war education system has served as a driving force in social development, the environment surrounding children has changed significantly, and a variety of issues have come to light.

Accordingly, in 2006, the Basic Act on Education was revised for the first time in about 60 years. Japan has thus taken the first step in education rebuilding, having clarified the educational principles needed for a new era.

This chapter covers topics including the background and content of the revisions to the Basic Act on Education, and the major progress that has been made in educational reforms.

The FY2005 White Paper on Science and Technology focused on educational reform, and since that time great progress has been made with the revision of the Basic Act on Education and so forth. In light of this progress, the FY2006 White Paper will take a fresh look at educational reform, featured under the heading, “Efforts in Education Rebuilding.”

Part 1 Basic Concept of Education Rebuilding

1 Current Situation Surrounding Education

Japan's education system has served as a driving force behind social development through fostering of human resources. With the steady efforts of the people including education personnel, it has realized the principle of equal opportunity, raised national educational standards, and responded to the particular needs of different time periods. As a result, Japan has realized an affluent society and a secure way of life in the post-war era, which are some of the achievements that have gained international attention.

Nevertheless, while the post-war education system has served as a driving force behind social development, the environment surrounding children has changed significantly, and a variety of issues have come to light. Looking at the current status of education, it appears that confidence in education is wavering, and that education is facing a number of significant problems. Specifically, in addition to bullying, truancy, and school violence, horrific incidents that should not be happening are taking place in which children are both the victims and the victimizers. Furthermore, factors such as the decline in the normative consciousness of society as a whole and changes in family and community values are casting a shadow on the sound growth of children.

In light of this situation, there is a need for education which is further focused on elements such as moral fiber, self-discipline, public-mindedness, and contribution to peace and development in the international community.

2 Perspective on Education Rebuilding

The most important issue for Japan is currently the rebuilding of education. In order to realize education rebuilding, society as a whole needs to implement reforms that go back to the roots of education, and there is a need to put conditions to allow Japan's education to fully deliver its intrinsic potential.

Education is aimed at the perfection of human character and at the same time it plays an important role in fostering individuals who are full of vitality and kindness and cherish freedom and self-discipline, and in pursuing the happiness of the people. In addition to the existing principle of cultivating capable human resources who are spiritually rich and full of creativity, it is important to once again rethink the value of traditional social norms that have long been treasured in Japan, as well as public-mindedness.

Based on these factors, the Basic Act on Education has been revised for the first time in about 60 years, and Japan has thus taken the first step in education rebuilding by clarifying the educational principles needed for a new era.

Nevertheless, the establishment of the revised Basic Act on Education will not immediately solve the various problems surrounding education. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) will move forward with the revision of related legislation and the formulation of the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education based on the principles set out in the revised Basic Act on Education. Specifically, MEXT has set as objectives for educational reform in the 21st century: (1) cultivating dynamic Japanese people who think and act on their own initiative, (2) cultivating top-level human resources who will lead the Century of Knowledge, (3) cultivating Japanese people who will inherit and create a spiritually rich culture and society, and (4) cultivating Japanese people who are educated to live in the international community. MEXT will work to further enhance the fostering of solid academic abilities, spiritual wealth with regard to ethics, public spirit, a compassionate heart, and sound bodies, and will promote reforms including those targeted at the universities.

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