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PART Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture

Since the end of World War Japan has experienced remarkable expansion and development in education. In recent years, however, a variety of problems have become apparent and there is a growing call for educational systems to more adequately address social changes and cultural advancement.

Under these circumstances, the National Council on Educational Reform presented in its four successive reports to the Prime Minister, three basic concepts for current educational reform: (1) to carry out the transition to a lifelong learning system; (2) to place more emphasis on the importance of the individual; and (3) to make the educational structures and practices correspond to such contemporary changes as internationalization and development toward an information oriented society. Based on these concepts, the Council offered a wide range of recommendations for educational reform. In accordance with these recommendations, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture has been taking positive measures for implementing educational reform.

The Central Council for Education began its 14th session in April 1989 with the mission of examining questions concerning Japan's medium and long term educational policy. In January 1990, the Council submitted to the Minister a report entitled "the Development of an Infrastructure for Lifelong Learning," and in April 1991 another report entitled "Reforms of Various Systems in Education to Make Them Relevant to a New Age". In 1987, the Minister requested the University Council to consider and report on "specific strategies for the advancement, individualization and activation of education and research in universities and other institutions of higher education". In February 1991, the Lifelong Learning Council was requested to consider "measures for promoting lifelong learning corresponding to future social trends". Since then the Council has been working on this issue. In December 1990, the Science Council was also requested to consider "strategies for comprehensive promotion of scientific research with the prospect of the 21st century".