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

If our nation is to foster a society which is rich and dynamic enough to face the challenges of the 21st century, people must be provided with opportunities for participating in learning throughout their lives, whenever they like, in accordance with their needs. We must also shape a society which can properly evaluate the accomplishments of peoples' lifelong learning and study.

In order to promote lifelong learning activities, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, based on the Law Concerning the Development of Mechanisms and Measures for Promoting Lifelong Learning, has been developing infrastructures for lifelong learning activities, including relevant structures for their promotion. The Ministry has also been endeavoring to help school children acquire basic and essential knowledge and skills, to help them autonomously develop their learning abilities and to assist institutions of formal education in strengthening their function in lifelong learning. The Ministry has also tried to promote social education activities, as well as cultural and sports activities, all of which play an important role in lifelong learning.