In this paper, I develop a critique of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)-based lifelong learning policy discourse with a particular focus on "key competencies" (KCs) and its equity implications for school curricular policies. First, I review the discussion of KCs in the writings by the OECD-affiliated…

This paper explores the notions of globalization as embodied in Japanese educational reforms during the 1980s and 1990s. Modern institutional discourses of educational reform in Japan have shifted over time and all of these reform movements have been constructed by particular social and historical trajectories. Generally speaking, it has been…

The debate over patriotic education in Japan is marked by power shifts between the two different political groups that have different views of the role of patriotic education. By analyzing the power shift from a historical perspective, this essay makes a point that one of the problems of the debate over patriotic education in Japan is that the…

In the era of globalization, China, Korea and Japan have put forward favorable policies to develop higher education. The essay is aimed to make a comparison of their various policies. The conclusion is that, when facing similar forces and problems against the background of globalization, the guidelines and goals of the key construction projects in…

The provision, in most industrialized democracies, of public funding for schools that differ from the state system in religion or pedagogy has the effect of encouraging philosophical diversity and school-level decision making alongside a substantial degree of curriculum alignment and with various forms of government protection for the interests of…

The ideology of a monolingual and monoracial Japan is being challenged by increasing language diversity in communities where Ainu, Ryukyuan, Chinese, English, Japanese Sign Language, Korean, and other languages are spoken. Government policies and school textbooks still resist the notion of a multilingual Japan. (SK)

Notes the factors preventing the progress of internationalization in Japanese society in general and in the educational system in particular. Topics include traditional attitudes towards other countries, the prevalence of economic strength as a national goal, and the school system's preoccupation with preparation for entrance examinations. (JHZ)

In spite of the current great interest in educational reform and the calls for fundamental change, history suggests that the liberalization of Japanese education will follow the lines recommended by the Ministry of Education--painstakingly planned and slowly and cautiously implemented after lengthy experimental studies. (JHZ)

Although separate schooling for cultural minorities is not usually favored in Western societies, a strong case can be made for recognizing the legitimacy of Korean ethnic schools in Japan. The oppression of ethnic schools has resulted from a discriminatory assimilation policy, not the application of liberal principles intended to achieve greater…

This article features the standards and practice for K-12 physical education in Japan. Physical education in Japan has many similarities to, and differences with, programs in the United States. Many of the main objectives for the school curriculum are the same; both systems promote major outcomes related to fitness and lifelong sport and physical…

Points out some problems with the comparison of the Japanese and American education systems contained in "Japanese Education Today" and notes that its content seems carefully chosen to bolster the advice in another recent United States government publication, "What Works." Concludes that no educational system is perfect. (SKC)

In the debate on educational reform in Japan, the government's version of free choice would lead to commercialism and privatisation of education and an even more competitive system creating technocratic elites. In contrast, the Japan Teachers' Union has proposed reforms based on the people's right to justice in education. (JHZ)

This reappraisal of educational planning, implementing a decision of the Education Committee for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), has two main objectives: to review the evolution of concepts, approaches, and practices of educational planning in member countries during the past 20 years; and to identify new features…

Eight perspectives on higher education are provided in essays based on papers presented at a 1982 seminar. The historical perspective is provided by Harold Perkin with attention to turning points in higher education in Europe, Japan, and the United States. Maurice Kogan considers the political view and specifically intrainstitutional issues, the…

When compared to its counterparts in Europe and the United States, teacher education in Japan can be distinguished by its special characteristics in three areas: administration, structure and curriculum, and students. Preservice and inservice education in Japan are discussed with regard to these areas. (IAH)