Abstract
In Japan, the term “social education” is used, while the equivalent term in America and Europe is “adult education” or “continued education.” “Social education” is a term coined by combining “society” with “education.” It is an established concept for education that is conscious of society, aimed at society, and involved in society (Matsuda 2014, p. 23). It is said that the term came into use in the 1880s, and social education achieved a major turnaround at the end of World War II. In other words, prior to and during the war, the education system was influenced by nationalism and militarism, with social education conducted under these principles. In the postwar educational reforms based on popular sovereignty, democracy, and pacifism, reforms in social education were implemented, and new legislation for social education was introduced. Facilities, including Kominkan (Japanese-style community learning centers), libraries, and museums were established all over Japan, with various social education programs offered at these facilities, mainly by local governments (Kobayashi 2013, p. 1).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Anezaki, Y. (2013). Shakai Kyoiku Hosei to Shogai Gakusyu Sinko Seibi Ho [Social education legislation and lifelong learning act for improvement of systems, etc. to implement measures for the promotion of lifelong learning]. In B. Kobayashi, O. Ito, & J. Lee (Eds.), Nihon no Shakai Kyoiku to Shogai Gakusyu: Atarashii Jidai ni Mukete [Social education and lifelong learning in Japan: To a New Era] (pp. 78–94). Okayama: University Education Press.
Han, S., & Makino, A. (2013). Learning cities in East Asia: Japan, the Republic of Korea and China. International Review of Education, 59, 443–468.
Ishiiyama, R. (2013). Shakai Kyoiku to Shogai Gakusyu no Genzai [Current social education and lifelong learning]. In B. Kobayashi, O. Ito, & J. Lee (Eds.), Social education and lifelong learning in Japan: To a new era (pp. 58–74). Okayama: University Education Press.
Kobayashi, B. (2013). Nihon no Shakai Kyoiku to Shogai Gakusyu: So no Tokusitsu to Kadai [Japanese social education and lifelong learning: Characteristics and challenges]. In B. Kobayashi, O. Ito, & J. Lee (Eds.), Social education and lifelong learning in Japan: To a new era (pp. 1–20). Okayama: University Education Press.
Lee, J. (2006). Nihon no Shogai Gakusyu Seisaku no Genzyo to Kadai [The present conditions and problems of lifelong learning policy in Japan]. Journal of the Research on Lifelong Learning and Career Education,, 19–27. Nagoya University.
Masuda, H. (2015). Chiho Shometsu: Tokyo Ikkyoku Shuchu ga Maneku Jinko Kyugen [Disappearing local communities: Rapidly declining population caused by overconcentration in Tokyo]. Tokyo: Chuokoron-Shinsya.
Matching Hongo Homepage. Accessed on 25 Feb 2015 from http://matching-h.jp/
Matsuda, T. (2011). Bunken o Naijitsuka suru Shakai Kyoiku no Kanosei [Potentiality of social education to realize decentralization]. Monthly Social Education, 55(2), 64–72. Tokyo: Kokudosha.
Matsuda, T. (2014). Community Governance to Shakai Kyoiku no Saiteigi: Shakai Kyoiku Hukushi no Kanosei [Redefinition of community governance and social education: Potentiality of social education welfare]. Tokyo: Fukumura Shuppan.
MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology). (2007). 2007 white paper on education, culture, sports, science and technology. Tokyo: MEXT.
MIC (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications All Rights Reserved). (2013). Chiiki Kasseika no Kyoten toshiteno Gakko o Katsuyo shita Chiiki Zukuri Jirei Chosa [Case study of community renovation by utilizing schools as local revitalization foundation]. Tokyo: MIC.
MIC (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications All Rights Reserved) Homepage. (2014). Accessed 25 Feb 2015 from http://www.soumu.go.jp/gapei/gapei2.html
NPO Homepage of CAO (Cabinet Office, Government of Japan). (2014). Accessed 25 Feb 2015 from https://www.npo-homepage.go.jp/about/npodata/kihon_1.html
Sato, K. (2013). Shimin no Manabi to NPO [Public learning and NPO]. In B. Kobayashi, O. Ito, & J. Lee (Eds.), Social education and lifelong learning in Japan: To a new era (pp. 223–235). Okayama: University Education Press.
Shinkai, H. (2013). Sengo Shakai Kyoiku no Seisei to Tenkai [Creation and deployment of postwar social education]. In B. Kobayashi, O. Ito, & J. Lee (Eds.), Social education and lifelong learning in Japan: To a new era (pp. 36–57). Okayama: University Education Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Lee, J. (2019). Restructuring of Social Education and Lifelong Learning and Community Governance. In: Kitamura, Y., Omomo, T., Katsuno, M. (eds) Education in Japan. Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, vol 47. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2632-5_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2632-5_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-2630-1
Online ISBN: 978-981-13-2632-5
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)