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

"Dowa" education concerns the universal principles of freedom and equality. It is also concerned with the fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Japan.

In view of the vital role which education is to play in solving "Dowa" related problems, the Ministry has been striving to heighten the public's awareness of fundamental human rights through formal and non-formal education programs. It has also been making efforts to promote "Dowa" education, placing emphasis on the elimination of regional educational imbalances in the concerned areas, as well as on improvements in the level of educational and cultural standards in these regions.

As of 1992 the Ministry is continuing its programs for designating specific areas for the promotion of "Dowa" education, designating pilot schools for the study of "Dowa" education and conducting projects for creating "Dowa" education related study materials and literature. National subsidies are available for certain prefectures and designated major cities which provide financial assistance for helping financially disadvantaged students advance on to such schools as upper secondary schools. Under this program, the Ministry has increased the rate of scholarship loans as well.