Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1993 > CHAPTER 1 �1 2

While Japan is presently on one hand enjoying a period of peace and prosperity in a rapidly changing, increasingly interdependent international community, on the other hand, distortions in natural and human-made environments are creating difficulties and sources of friction in both the domestic and international realms. In order for Japan to continue its development while remedying the causes of these difficulties and sources of friction and contributing internationally, it will be necessary to drastically change Japanese society to one whose members not only continue to pursue economic profit and efficiency, but who also value individuals who possess a vibrant personality, the ability to think independently. creative talent and a rich sense of self expression. This new type of society would also value the appreciation of beauty and a sense of love for one's fellow man.

Furthermore, as a shift is taking place towards an increased emphasis local regions, there is a growing movement to nurture and communicate the cultures indigenous to each particular locality.

As these unique regional cultures are communicated, they interact and blend with other regional cultures, resulting in the creation of an entirely new culture.

This principle of cultural exchange can be applied on the international level as well.

Japan sees as one of its important missions for the 21st century the creation of a "culture-communicating society", that is, a society that, by communicating a rich and unique culture on several levels, individually, domestically and internationally, creates a new culture through a process of mutual exchange.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs, which in 1993 celebrates the 25th anniversary of its founding, takes the opportunity at this milestone in its history to renew its efforts to form policies that will further the cause of cultural promotion and the building of a "culture-communicating society".