JAPANESE GOVERMENT POLICICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1994[PART II Chapter 11 Section 1 2]

The development of multimedia technology is the focus of varied efforts in both the public and the private sectors. There is growing interest in the use of this technology in education, science, culture, and sports. Judging from its characteristics, multimedia technology has the potential to be an extremely valuable tool in these fields if used appropriately and effectively. Before this goal can be realized, however, it is necessary to deal with a number of urgent issues, including the clarification of approaches to multimedia utilization from the user's perspective, the development and provision of a diverse range of models, and the establishment of utilization support structures. The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture will

(1) comprehensively implement educational policies based on this approach,
(2) strive to develop a lifelong learning society in which people can make their own choices and realize their potential creatively in the multimedia era of the future, and
(3) actively utilize multimedia while working to identify the advantages of the technology as well as aspects that require caution.

The Ministry will therefore plan and implement policies on a comprehensive basis in anticipation of the development and introduction of new hardware and software and the establishment of advanced information networks based on fiber optics and other new technologies. Policies in education, science, culture, and sports will include

(1) the establishment of new philosophies, content, and methods concerning responses to the advance of multimedia,
(2) the development of hardware infrastructure,
(3) support for software research, development, and utilization,
(4) the development of specialized human resources,
(5) the implementation of a copyright policy that can accommodate advances in multimedia technology, and
(6) the development of a policy implementation structure and coordination and cooperation with all participants in the field, including the relevant government ministries and agencies and the business community.

As part of these efforts, in June 1994 the Ministry established a discussion group to study approaches to the implementation of educational policies in response to the advance of multimedia technology. It then set up the Multimedia Policy Planning Office in the Policy Planning and Coordination Division. Other bureaus and divisions of the Ministry are examining related issues in their specific areas of activity.


	Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERMENT POLICICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1994 > PART II Chapter 11 Section 1 2