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PART Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture

Rapid changes in the nation's social circumstances have led to an increasing interest in sports activities and an increasing need for these activities. It has become an urgent task for the government to develop an environment, which enables all people to enjoy sports for life. As indicated in the results of recent international athletic games, the level of athletic competitiveness of many other countries has been improving to a great extent. In these circumstances the improvement of the level of the competitiveness of Japanese athletes has become a great task for the nation.

In November 1989 the Health and Physical Education Council, an advisory organ to the Minister, published a report on "Strategies for the Promotion of Sports for the 21st Century." On the basis of this report the Ministry plans to carry out various policies and measures for the development and improvement of sports facilities, as well as for the promotion of various sports activities, including sports for all, competitive sports, and physical education and sports in school.

Another important issue is helping people maintain their health. At the elementary and secondary education levels, the Ministry plans to strengthen health education through all school activities. It also plans to promote health education programs for the different life stages, as part of the education for adults and out-of-school youths. Thus, the Ministry is going to promote health education programs through both formal and non-forma1 education activities with an overall perspective.