top of page
Asian Institute of Research, Journal Publication, Journal Academics, Education Journal, Asian Institute
Asian Institute of Research, Journal Publication, Journal Academics, Education Journal, Asian Institute

Education Quarterly Reviews

ISSN 2621-5799

asia institute of research, journal of education, education journal, education quarterly reviews, education publication, education call for papers
asia institute of research, journal of education, education journal, education quarterly reviews, education publication, education call for papers
asia institute of research, journal of education, education journal, education quarterly reviews, education publication, education call for papers
asia institute of research, journal of education, education journal, education quarterly reviews, education publication, education call for papers
crossref
doi
open access

Published: 26 March 2024

Lifelong Learning Review in Contemporary Japan

Xuan Zhao

Zhejiang Shuren University, China

asia institute of research, journal of education, education journal, education quarterly reviews, education publication, education call for papers
pdf download

Download Full-Text Pdf

doi

10.31014/aior.1993.07.01.569

Pages: 200-209

Keywords: Lifelong Learning, Lifelong Education, Social Education, Japan

Abstract

In the era of the Meiji Restoration, social education for adults in Japan has taken shape to make up for the lack of school education. After World War II, social education in Japan focused on compensation education and vocational training for young and adult women. With the promulgation of the Basic Education Law and the Social Education Law, "social education as the legal right of Japanese" was clarified. Governments were encouraged to develop and operate public social education facilities. From the late 1940s to the mid-1980s, "social education" included adult education activities in addition to primary and secondary schools and higher education institutions. Since the 1960s, UNESCO's propaganda activities have promoted the idea of "lifelong education" in Japan, and the official acknowledged that domestic demand for lifelong education had become more apparent. In 1971, the Central Education Committee issued a report recommending that " from the perspective of lifelong education, comprehensive adjustments of the entire education system are required." In 1981, the Central Education Commission of Japan submitted a lifelong education report to MEXT, which emphasized the necessity and importance of "lifelong education" and marked the beginning of the transition to lifelong education in Japan. Since the mid-1980s, "lifelong learning" has become the most common term in Japan for adult education activities. In the 21st century, with the support of local and national governments, people can freely choose formal, informal, or non-informal learning opportunities at any time, and relevant institutions would offer appropriate certificates.

References

  1. Akira,I. and Makino.T. (1991). A Brief Discussion on Postwar Japanese Education. Education Review, 2: 68-71.

  2. Central Education Council, Ministry of Education. (2015a). Chimu-to shite-no Gakko-no Arikata- to Kongo-no Kaizen Hosaku-ni tsuite(Toshin). Schools that Function as Teams: Policies for creating them and improving them going forward.

  3. Central Education Council, Ministry of Education. (2015b). Korekara-no Gakko Kyoiku-wo ninau Kyoin-no Shishitsu Noryokuno Kojo-ni tsuite-Manabiai takameau Kyoin Komyuniti-no Kochiku-ni mukete (Toshin). Improving the Skills of Educators Who Will Steer Our Future Schools: Toward building communities that foster instructors who mutually learn and mutually succeed.

  4. Central Education Council, Ministry of Education. (2015c). Atarashii Jidai-no Kyoiku-ya Chiho Sosei-no Jitsugen-ni muketa Gakko-to Chiiki-no Renkei Kyodo-no Arikata-to Kongo-no Suishin Hosaku-ni tsuite (Toshin). School-Community Collaboration for Achieving A New Age of Education and Regional Vitality: Current conditions and policies for future progress.

  5. Chukyoshin (Chuou kyouiku shingi kai). (2008). Atarashii jidai wo kirihiraku shougaigakushu no shinkou housaku ni tsuite – Chi no junkangata shakai no kouchiku wo mezashite (Toushin), Monbukagakushou.

  6. Committee for Lifelong Learning of Central Education Council, Ministry of Education. (1998). Shakai-no Henka-ni Taio-shita Kongo-no Shakai Kyoiku Gyosei-no Arikata-ni tsuite(Report on Responding to Social Changes and the State of Social Education Administrations Going Forward).

  7. Dai 2-ki Kyoiku Shinko Kihon Keikaku (2nd Basic Plan for Education Promotion) (Cabinet approval received on June 14, 2013). (2013, June 14). MEXT. https://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/education/lawandplan/title01/detail01/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2015/03/06/1355571.pdf

  8. Gender Equality Learning Division, Lifelong Learning Policy Bureau. (n.d.). Promotion of collaboration among schools, families, and communities. MEXT. https://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/education/lifelonglearning/title01/detail01/1373921.htm

  9. Gender Equality Learning Division, Lifelong Learning Policy Bureau. (n.d.). Promotion of collaboration among schools, families, and communities. MEXT. https://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/education/lifelonglearning/title01/detail01/1373921.htm

  10. Gordon,B. (1998). Lifelong Learning in Japan. http://wgordon.web.wesleyan.edu/papers/lifelrn.htm

  11. Japan Open University and Aomori University Sign a Credit Exchange Agreement（放送大学と青森大学が単位互換に関する協定を締）. (2019). The Open University of Japan. https://www.ouj.ac.jp/about/tanigokan-renkei/news/aomori-u/

  12. Japan Open University and Karatsu Business College sign a memorandum of cooperation（放送大学と唐津ビジネスカレッジが連携協力の覚書を締結）. (2021). The Open University of Japan. https://www.ouj.ac.jp/about/tanigokan-renkei/news/kbc/

  13. Kawanobe, S. (1994). Lifelong learning in Japan.Int Rev Educ, 40: 485. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01102825

  14. Lifelong Learning Promotion Division, Lifelong Learning Policy Bureau. (n.d.). Providing Lifelong Learning Opportunities. MEXT. https://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/education/lifelonglearning/title02/detail02/1373924.htm

  15. Liu, Shuliang and Zhang,Nan. (January 11, 2024). Japan attempts to promote lifelong learning for all. China Education Daily, 9th edition. China Education News Network https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1787752313862422664&wfr=spider&for=pc

  16. Makino, A. (2017). Making all people full members of the society: new direction of lifelong learning policy and practices in Japan. Asia Pacific Educ. Rev., 18: 203. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-017-9484-7.

  17. Makino,T. (2012). The characteristics of Japan's lifelong learning policy and the dynamic balance process of community - grassroots autonomous organization reform and resident learning. Education Science, 2: 75-82

  18. Miharu Kajita, Yoshihiro Yamamoto, Masafumi Tanaka. (1992). Lifelong learning in Japan[A]. "Lifelong Education in Selected Industrialized Countries" seminar. Organized by the International Institute for Educational Planning of UNESCO, and the National Institute for Educational Research in Tokyo.

  19. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). (2009). National Policies Concerning Lifelong Learning. Retrieved from mext.go.jp/english.

  20. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). (2006). Comparison of the revised (2006) and original (1947) versions of the Basic Act on Education.Retrieved from mext.go.jp/b_menu/kihon/ data/07080117.htm.

  21. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). (2007). MEXT’s General Budget for FY2007. Retrieved from mext.go.jp/english/yosan/index.htm.

  22. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). (2009). National Policies Concerning Lifelong Learning. Retrieved from mext.go.jp/english.

  23. Monbushô (Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture) (1997a). Heisei 8 Nendo Shakaikyôiku Chôsa Sokuhô (Fiscal Year 1996 Social Education Research Bulletin), http://www.monbu.go.jp/news/00000133/. (25 January 1998).

  24. Monbushô. (1996a). ShôgaiGakushû Shakai no Kadai to Tenbô - Susumu Tayôka to Kôdoka - (Tasks and Prospects for a Lifelong Learning Society: Continuing Diversification and Advancement).http://www.monbu.go.jp/hakusyo/1996jpn/j1-ch01.html#1.01> (24 December 1997).

  25. Ogden, Anthony C. (2010). A Brief Overview of Lifelong Learning in Japan.Lifelong Language Learning, special issue of The Language Teacher, vol. 34, no. 6, 2010, pp. 5-13.

  26. Sawano, Yukiko. (2012). Lifelong Learning to Revitalize Community Case Studies of Citizens’ Learning Initiatives in Japan. Second International Handbook of Lifelong Learning,665-678. 10.1007/978-94-007-2360-3_40.

  27. Sub-committee for Curriculum Planning in Elementary and Middle Schools of Central Education Council, Ministry of Education. (2015). Summary of the Discussion Points (tentative) (Ronten Seiri (An)).

  28. The Open University of Japan. (n.d.). About OUJ. https://www.ouj.ac.jp/eng/,2018-07-01.

  29. Thomas, J. E. (1985). Learning Democracy in Japan: The Social Education of JapaneseAdults. London,SAGE Publications.

  30. Yamada K., Tatsuta K., Sasai H., & Sawano Y. (2003). New Trends and Challenges of Lifelong Learning Policies in Japan. Report presented at the International Policy Seminar Co-organised by IIEP/UNESCO and KRIVET on Making Lifelong Learning a Reality, Seoul, 24–26 June.

  31. Zhao, Lili and Ji, Hongyun. (2022). Experience and Inspiration of Running First Class Open Universities in Japan. Adult Education, 42 (05): 78-85.

bottom of page