Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > Japanese Government Policies in Education, Science, Sports and Culture 2000 > Trends in Educational Reform Section 2 Q3

Birthrates are dwindling, and this is expected to have various impacts on education. How will you respond to this in the future?

It is necessary for families, schools and communities to play their respective roles and join forces as one to tackle this issue, from the standpoint that the society as a whole raises our children. At the same time, since the circumstances of the dwindling birth rate will not change for the time being, it is also crucial that we use this situation to our advantage and realize education that can meet the demands of the individuality of each and every student.

In April 2000, the Central Council for Education put together the report, "Dwindling Birthrates and Education." After emphasizing the need to clearly develop the perspective that society as a whole raises our children, the report names important points for handling the dwindling birthrate in terms of educational aspects, including the following:

Providing places for children to have a variety of experiences in order to cope with the decrease of opportunities for children to develop friendly rivalries with each other due to falling birthrates; Enhancing educational conditions by utilizing surplus school facility space freed up due to families having fewer children and realizing education that is suited to each student's individuality and ability; Providing an environment where people who want to have children can do so and bring them up with peace of mind.

It is important that households, schools and communities each play their respective roles and join forces as one to promote these efforts.