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"To become the world’s most advanced IT nation by 2005" (e-Japan Strategy, January 2001)

Although Japan is especially advanced in terms of technology and ICT infrastructure, it seems that its potential has not yet been fully exploited. Use of ICT at the institutional level remains comparatively low, and ICT does not appear as a priority in national education policy. However, it is recognised that if ICTs are used appropriately, they have great potential to be effective tools not only to enrich existing programmes, but also to deliver education to rural areas.

Japan set up the Advanced Information and Telecommunications Society Promotion Headquarters in 1994, headed by the prime minister and composed of the full cabinet. In 2001, this Headquarters was reformed as the Strategic Headquarters for the Promotion of an Advanced Information and Telecommunications Network Society, followed by the announcement of the e-Japan Strategy. Two months later, came the Science and Technology Basic Plan (2001-2005), which aims at establishing Japan as a nation based on the creativity of science and technology. In the area of education, the plan focuses on:

  • Improvement of science and technology education through the provision of better teacher training;
  • Supply of adequate equipment as well as improved facilities for science and industrial education, introduction of educational computers;
  • Conduct of practical research on Internet use in education; and
  • Educational software development promoting the establishment of a Educational Software Library Centre.

The involvement of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in ICT promotion began with the 100 Hundred Schools Project in 1994 in co-operation with what was then still the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Approximately 100 schools from all over Japan were selected for assistance in using networks that would enable classroom teachers to provide variety in instruction.

In 1999, this project was followed by implementation of the Information Technology in Education Project (ITEP), the goal of which was to use computers in teaching in all elementary and secondary schools by 2005. Specifics of the plan included:

  • Installation of computers with Internet access in all ordinary classrooms by 2005
  • Creation of training opportunities for teachers to improve their computer skills and enable them to use computers in teaching their subjects
  • Development of visual and video contents appropriate for teaching the use of computers
  • R&D on teaching methods that use high-speed networks
  • Creation of a teaching materials portal site at the National Institute for Educational Policy Research

In June 2002, a government task force on information technology (IT) announced an updated version of the e-Japan priority programme, featuring new goals such as Japan leading Asia to be a global information hub.

By 2003, creation of basic ICT infrastructure was almost complete and the e-Japan Priority Policy Program (August 2003) based on the second phase of the e-Japan Strategy was decided. In this second phase, “human resources development and education/promotion of training” is identified as one of five key areas.