（3）Reforms in Social Education

In August, 1937, the Cabinet decided Guidelines for the General Mobilization of a Patriotic Spirit, and the Ministry of Education devoted its efforts to cooperate in this program. One of the Ministry's first steps was directed to youth schools under the supervision of the Social Education Bureau. Thus the 1939 Youth School Order was promulgated on April 26, 1939, and put in force on that day, replacing the 1935 Youth School Order. Regulations for the Enforcement of the 1939 Youth School Order were also issued and put in force at the same time, replacing the former Youth School Regulations. According to the 1939 Youth School Order, youth school education was made compulsory for boys between the ages of twelve and nineteen except for those attending regular schools. While the two-year general course of the youth schools received graduates from the ordinary elementary schools, the five-year regular course of the youth schools received graduates from the general course of the youth schools and from the higher elementary schools; as youth school education was made compulsory for all boys up to the age of nineteen, in effect, this meant compulsory education period was extended seven years beyond the previous six years of ordinary elementary education.

Also, in connection with the drive to mobilize a patriotic spirit, the Ministry supported the organization of several kinds of patriotic educational groups through providing leadership and facilities. At first local youth groups were the most prominent, and in January, 1941, they were reorganized into the Greater Japan Youth and Child Group (Dai Nippon Seishonendan). This Group played an important role in war production right up to the end of World War 2. Women's groups also were gradually mobilized with the goal of informing women about the gravity of the national emergency. These women's organizations were brought together under the Greater Japan Women's Association (Dai Nippon Fujinkai) in February, 1942.