Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERMENT POLICICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1994 > PART II Chapter 3 Section 8 2

The School Education Law stipulates that textbooks used in elementary schools, lower secondary schools, upper secondary schools, and special education schools must be either authorized by the Minister of Education, Science and Culture or published under the Ministry's copyright. The aims of this requirement are to ensure true equality of opportunity in education and to maintain and improve educational standards throughout Japan.

The textbook authorization system is designed to encourage creativity and originality in authors by leaving the task of writing and editing textbooks to private publishers. Authorization by the Minister of Education, Science and Culture is also intended to ensure the provision of textbooks that are objective and fair and are based on appropriate educational considerations. Textbook authorization is conducted fairly and stringently by the Textbook Authorization and Research Council in accordance with the Ministry's guidelines for textbook authorization. Some critics maintain that textbook authorization is unconstitutional, but the Supreme Court has ruled that the system is constitutional.

Authorization procedures and criteria under the present textbook authorization system have been substantially simplified and prioritized, in line with recommendations contained in the report of the National Council on Educational Reform, in order to create a system that is simple and easy to understand. By emphasizing the role and responsibilities of the Textbook Authorization and Research Council, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture has created a fairer and more appropriate authorization system. The present system has been phased in since fiscal 1990 for use with textbooks edited in accordance with the new Courses of Study. In fiscal 1993 upper secondary school textbooks (mainly for second-year students) were authorized under this system ( Figure II.3.2).

Since fiscal 1991 the results of examination of manuscripts submitted for textbook authorization have been made available for public inspection. This policy was introduced in response to public interest in textbooks and is designed to increase understanding of the textbook authorization process. In fiscal 1994 the results were made more widely accessible, being displayed for public inspection in six locations. In addition, a publicity pamphlet outlining the authorization system was published and distributed.