Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE, SPORTS AND CULTURE 1996 > Priorities and Prospects for a Lifelong Learning Society Chapter 1 2 (2)

Since fiscal 1989 MESSC has been jointly sponsoring National Lifelong Learning Festivals with local governments as part of its efforts to foster awareness of lifelong learning and encourage involvement in learning activities. The fiscal 1996 festival, the eighth, was held in Fukuoka Prefecture.

These measures are being implemented by local governments. In fiscal 1995 festivals and similar events were held in 42 prefectures. Most prefectural governments are also working to promote lifelong learning and disseminate information through pamphlets, other publications, and other media, including radio and television.

In 1989 the Courses of Study were revised in order to lay the foundation for lifelong learning at the school education level. Since then efforts have focused on the enhancement of educational instruction in order to foster self-education abilities, specifically the willingness to learn independently and the skills needed to cope positively with social change. Another priority has been the provision of learning-related information as part of support for learning activities. By the end of fiscal 1995 lifelong learning information systems were in operation in 39 prefectures. These prefectural governments have used computers and other equipment to create databases and networks of lifelong learning information, while offering learning-related information and advice. Efforts are also being made to provide integrated management and distribution of related information, by the National Olympic Memorial Youth Center in the field of youth education and by the National Women's Education Centre in the case of women's education. In addition, the Agency for Cultural Affairs is establishing databases and networks to share information in cultural fields with various organizations. Examples include information systems for cultural properties, art, and regional culture.