Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE, SPORTS AND CULTURE 1996 > Priorities and Prospects for a Lifelong Learning Society Chapter 2 Section 3 3

How are learning achievements recognized in the areas of academic advancement and employment and within companies? This question relates closely to correction of the harmful effects of the excessive preoccupation with academic credentials in Japanese society, which is one of the reasons for creating a lifelong learning society.

The criteria used to select entrants to upper secondary schools, universities, and other educational institutions are now being diversified to include assessment of volunteer activities. Similarly, teacher appointment systems now positively evaluate applicants' involvement in sports and volunteer activities.

In October 1995 Keidanren (Japan Federation of Economic Organizations) conducted a questionnaire survey of its member companies concerning creative human resource development. The results, announced in a report titled "Developing Japan's Creative Human Resources," show that 7.5% of companies now hire employees without asking what school they graduated from, while 27.9% are considering the adoption of such a system. Some experts believe that today's environment of continued economic stagnation demands not so much formal academic credentials as the acquisition of specific qualifications and skills.