Japanese Government Policies in Education, Science, Sports and Culture 2000[Part 1 Chapter 3 Section 3 1]

In recent years, there have been a growing number of movements in various regions to cultivate highly individualistic arts and culture and communicate them to society at large.

From the point of view of the people, cultural orientation is reduced to a local issue. That is to say, people first and foremost expect to enjoy culture and to participate in its creation within the local community of which they are a part.

In order to meet these cultural needs and to ensure that cultural activities establish roots in the local community and that people actively engage in cultural activities, it is desirable for the government to support the efforts of local governments and local cultural associations. In order to realize a culturally oriented nation, we must create a living environment in which all people feel spiritually fulfilled, and improve environments all over Japan for the people to have closer access to cultures and engage actively in cultural activities.

Needless to say, promotion of culture on the local level should principally be carried out under the initiative of the local communities themselves. However, it is desirable from the viewpoint of the development of Japan itself that each locality develops a unique individuality, and the government must support these developments. Flourishing local cultures continue to be of great importance to Japan as a whole because they enrich all aspects of Japanese culture, strengthen its foundations, and improve its standards. Local efforts are only just beginning, and the government must support these efforts which will serve as models for other localities. In addition, some activities require national coordination, such as the provision of opportunities for appreciating performances by performance groups that are active nationwide.

In this context, the government is planning to implement the following measures.

(1) Provision of opportunities for the presentation of cultural activities in order to promote the participation of local residents in cultural activities. (2) Support for the promotion of cultural activities rooted in the local community, such as town planning focused on culture. (3) Support for improved management of local cultural facilities which serve as the focal point of local cultural activities. (4) Support for the expansion of opportunities for local residents to appreciate arts and culture. (5) Fostering of human resources to support local cultures through the organization of various training courses.


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