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Education is an important and constant part of our nation's public policy. It builds the foundation for our nation to contribute to the world and to develop as an active,creative and culturally rich state in the 21st century.

Today, not only economic wealth but also wealth in mind and spirit is sought after. The mission of education tomorrow, I believe, shall emphasize the nurturing of mind and spirit, in other words, the upbringing of the youth with well-rounded personalities.

The future of our nation will depend ultimately on the achievement of educa Lion. With the advent of the 21st century at hand, educational reform is being forwarded along the lines of the recommendations from the National Council on Educational Reform. In order to examine 1ong-term issues of the school system, I have asked the 14th Central Council for Education to deliberate on "the reform of the educational system in response to the new age", and discussions are now under way.

As Minister, l am responsible for educational reform, and have been devoting myself to the improvement and development of education, science, culture and sports in response to the demands of the people and societv. This booklet hereby presented under the title of "Japanese Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture 1989" summarizes the progress on educational reform and the overall development of educational, scientific and cultural policies undertaken by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.

I hope that this booklet will prove helpful in furthering the understanding of those people who are concerned with the promotion of educational reform and the current practices in education, science and culture in our country.

November,1989 Kazuya Ishibashi Minister of Education,Science and Culuture Education,Science and CulutureJapan