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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERMENT POLICICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1994 > PART II Chapter 3 Section 4 2

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PART II Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture
Chapter 3. Enhancing Primary and Secondary Education
Section 4. Physical Education and Health Education
2. Maintaining Physical and Mental Health



(1) Enhancing Health Education

In recent years the healthy physical and mental development of children has been affected in various ways by rapid changes in the social environment, including urbanization, the shift to an information-oriented society, and the trends toward nuclear families and fewer children per family. There has also been an increase in public interest in health. These trends are reflected in the growing importance of health education as a means of acquiring the knowledge and attitudes needed to maintain and improve physical and mental health. The role of schools is to build the foundation for safe and healthy living throughout life. Guidance about health, safety, and school lunches is provided through all educational activities, including "physical education," "health and physical education," and other subject areas, as well as "moral education" and "special activities."


(2) Responding to Contemporary Health Issues
1. Improving AIDS education:

Many countries are experiencing an explosive increase in the incidence of AIDS .* The number of cases is also rising in Japan, especially in younger age groups, and there is a danger that the disease will spread further ( Figure II.3.1 ). It is therefore important to develop the attitudes and abilities necessary to prevent AIDS by providing children with accurate knowledge about the disease through education that is appropriate to their stage of development. It is also important to foster human respect for people with AIDS and HIV and to eliminate prejudice and discrimination against them. The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture has distributed educational materials for lower and upper secondary school students and teacher's reference materials. Related activities include in-service teacher training and practical research on the promotion of AIDS education in designated pilot municipalities.


2. Promoting guidance relating to education to prevent smoking, drinking, and drug abuse:

The new Courses of Study provide for the expansion and enhancement of the areas of "health and physical education" that deal with the health implications of smoking, drinking, and drug abuse. In-depth guidance is being provided, including distribution of the Handbook on Health Guidance Concerning the Prevention of Smoking, Drinking, and Drug Abuse and organization of seminars.


3. Reviewing health checkups:

Since fiscal 1987 the Japanese Society of School Health has been conducting a study on the amendment of health checkups for schoolchildren. The decision to carry out this study was prompted by changes in the health problems of schoolchildren in recent years and by advances in testing technology. The views of the Health and Physical Education Council were heard in July 1994, and health checkups based on new checklists will commence in fiscal 1995.


* AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It occurs when HIV infection destroys cellular immunity, leading to opportunistic infections, secondary malignant tumors, neural disorders, and other conditions. The term "HIV infection" refers to the entire process between infection with HIV and the development of AIDS. The average incubation period is said to be 10 years. No cure for AIDS has yet been discovered.

Figure II.3.1 Age Distribution of AIDS Patients and HIV Carriers (as of April 30, 1994)


(3) Enhancing Safety Education

The new Courses of Study provide for increased coverage of road safety and first aid in the area of health education. The Safety Guidance Handbook for Elementary Schools has been revised, and efforts are being made to expand safety instruction. In the area of traffic safety, a survey has been conducted concerning guidance on the use of motorcycles by upper secondary school students, and a report has been compiled and distributed. With regard to first aid, prefectures have provided training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other techniques for upper secondary school teachers in charge of "health and physical education."


(4) Improving the School Lunch Program
1. The role and present status of the school lunch program:

The purpose of the school lunch program is to improve the health and physiques of schoolchildren by providing nutritionally balanced meals and to foster correct eating habits and good human relations. In recent years concern has been expressed about the detrimental effect of irregular and poorly balanced diets on children's health. The school lunch program is playing an increasingly important role in this context. As of May 1993, approximately 12.87 million schoolchildren throughout Japan were provided with school lunches ( Table II.3.2 ).


2. Improvement of school lunch instruction:

The Handbook on School Lunch Instruction was totally revised in fiscal 1992 as part of efforts to enhance school lunch instruction. In addition, training is now provided for school nutritionists, who are specialists in nutrition and health, and staffing levels have been increased since fiscal 1993.


3. Diversification of meal content and promotion of rice-based meals:

Schools utilize local dishes or dishes from sister cities in their school lunch menus. The content of meals and the methods used to prepare them are being enhanced. In addition, meals are being diversified and now include buffet-style lunches as well as multiple-choice menus. Rice-based lunches are important both from the viewpoint of diversifying meals and for their educational significance as a means of teaching children correct eating habits with regard to rice, which is Japan's traditional staple food. Rice-based meals were introduced in fiscal 1986 and are being systematically promoted in school lunch programs. By fiscal 1993 the average number of rice-based meals per week had reached 2.6.

Table II.3.2 Percentages of Schoolchildren Provided with School Lunches (as of May 1, 1993)


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