PART II Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture
Chapter 7. New Horizons in Social Education
Section 2. Promotion of Learning Activities for Adults and the Elderly
2. Learning Activities for the Elderly
As the elderly population expands ever more rapidly, it is becoming increasingly important to work toward the development of a truly enriching social environment for an era of lengthening life expectancy by improving learning opportunities and promoting social participation activities for senior citizens. The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture has long been encouraging a variety of activities, including the establishment of classes and lecture courses for the elderly and the organization of intergenerational exchange activities using citizens' public halls and other social education facilities (
Table II.7.2). In fiscal 1994 the Ministry began to provide subsidies for the Program to Train Elderly Leaders in Communities, under which prefectural governments provide a variety of advanced learning opportunities for older people and help graduates of the program use their knowledge and skills in their communities by working as leaders or in other capacities. The Ministry is also supporting the Program to Promote Learning for the Elderly, under which municipalities establish seminars to train senior citizens in the basic skills needed for social participation activities and assist them to use their new knowledge and skills in various community activities.
The Ministry is also implementing research and surveys concerning methods to promote social participation through learning activities for the elderly. In addition, it is sponsoring Social Participation Forums for the Elderly in order to provide the general public with opportunities to consider new lifestyles for elderly people based on active participation in an era of lifelong learning.
