PART Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture
Chapter 2 Promotion of Lifelong Learning
2 Report of the Lifelong Learning Council
The Lifelong Learning Council started in August of 1990 in accordance
with the Law Concerning the Development of Mechanisms and Measures for Promoting
Lifelong Learning. In February 1991 it was carrying out inquiries on "promotional
measures for a lifelong education to cope with a new age" and later submitted
a report on this topic to the Minister on July 29th, 1992. The basic conceptual
framework of this report was that people should be able to freely choose from
a range of learning opportunities throughout their lifetimes and that the nation
should strive towards becoming a lifelong learning society which can properly
evaluate the accomplishments of such lifelong learning. The major tasks needing
immediate action were summarized into the following 4 points: 1)promotion of
recurrent education for working adults called "refresher education"; 2)promotion
and support of volunteer activities; 3)enrichment of young people's activities
outside of school; and 4)enrichment of up-to-date learning opportunities. The
Report included various perspectives for promotion and improvements related to
these issues. Furthermore it appealed for a wide base of cooperation and understanding
from many circles including family, school and industry towards building a lifelong
learning society.