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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN EDUCATION,SCIENCE AND CULTURE1991 > PART2 Chapter9 3

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PART 2 Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture
Chapter 9 Internationalization of Education, Culture and Sports
3 International Exchange and Cooperation in the Fields of Education, Culture and Sports


In order to promote the international exchange of educators and researchers, every year the Ministry sends approximately 5,000 elementary and secondary school teachers abroad for a study tour as an integral part of their in-service training. In addition, it sends a number of university teachers abroad for research purposes, invites a number of foreign teachers to teach at national universities, and supports the programs of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science for international scientific exchange. A number of "social education" leaders are also sent abroad for a study tour.

With regard to youth exchange, the Government conducts the Youth Invitation Program, the Ship for World Youth, the Friendship Program for the 21st Century and other programs. Local governments and non-governmental organizations also undertake various programs for youth exchange. In light of the fact that school trips abroad are meaningful activities for providing students with opportunities for making contacts with foreign people and foreign cultures, and for increasing their international understanding, proper guidance should be carried out so that all possible efforts are made to ensure the students' safety during their trips abroad. In view of the importance of student exchange at the upper secondary school level, the Ministry supports programs of foreign governments for inviting Japanese upper secondary school students, as well as various programs undertaken by Japanese non-profit organizations for the exchange of secondary school students.

It is expected that Japan should actively take an international role in the field of culture as well. Therefore it is necessary not only to contribute to the development of Japanese culture, but also to actively promote international cultural exchanges. The Agency for Cultural affairs undertakes various services regarding international cultural exchange, including: cooperation with other organizations for the overseas exhibitions of Japanese works of fine art and for the overseas performances of Japanese theatrical and musical works; the promotion of various international exchanges of performing arts; cooperation with other countries through helping to protect and restore valuable cultural properties in those countries; the sending and receiving of artists and specialists in cultural artifacts and cultural affairs.

Activities for international exchange in sports have been increasing yearly. Today, a great many people, including both eminent athletes and ordinary citizens, participate in these activities. The Ministry provides local governments with subsidies for organizing international sports meets, so that the Japanese people and people from Asian and other developing countries have an opportunity to increase mutual understanding and friendship. The Ministry also gives subsidies to the Japan Amateur Sports Association and the Japanese Olympic Committee for their programs to send sports leaders abroad. International exchange programs for children's sports clubs are also being subsidized.

The Ministry has also been carrying out international cooperation programs through UNESCO, OECD and other international organizations. UNESCO is a specialized United Nations agency aimed at the promotion of international cooperation in the fields of education, science and culture. In view of the importance of UNESCO's basic principles and its multilateral cooperation programs, the government of Japan has been actively cooperating with UNESCO and participating in its multilateral programs. The Government has also been participating in various educational and scientific programs undertaken by OECD. The Ministry is also extending cooperation to the United Nations University, including providing the building which houses its headquarters. Furthermore, it gives aid to developing countries not only through scientific exchange programs, but also through technical cooperation programs intended to promote the training of key persons who will play central roles in nation building.


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