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People need to acquire new knowledge and technology continuously if they are to keep pace with social and economic change, including the advance of science and technology, the shift to an information-oriented society, internationalization, and changes in the industrial structure.

Learning is not limited to purposeful and organized learning activities in the context of school education or social education. It is a process that also occurs through sports, cultural activities, hobbies, recreation, volunteer activities, and so on. There are many forums for these activities, including elementary and secondary schools, institutions of higher education, citizens' public halls, libraries, museums, cultural facilities, sports facilities, culture centers, and corporations. As part of its efforts to promote diverse learning activities on an integrated basis and build a lifelong learning society, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is encouraging school education, social education, culture, sports, and other activities and is promoting lifelong learning in ways that encompass all these activities.

Specific policies for this purpose include the following ( Figure II.2.1 ):

Figure II.2.1 Efforts to Build a Lifelong Learning Society