Ministry of Education Japan proposes 8.7 trillion yen budget and curriculum updates

The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has released several significant policy updates and budget proposals. For the 2027 fiscal year, MEXT has submitted a budget request of approximately 8.7 trillion yen, which includes a 2.1 trillion yen investment framework aimed at fostering a ‘strong and prosperous Japan’.

A draft summary for the next set of curriculum guidelines has been published, proposing changes to instructional hours and academic evaluation methods, with a focus on strengthening information literacy. These changes are expected to be implemented sequentially starting in fiscal year 2030.

Other key developments include:

• New guidelines for schools to address customer harassment following upcoming legal obligations. • Revised directives to support the enrollment and integration of foreign children in the school system. • A comprehensive package to strengthen Japanese language education support for students in need. • Initiatives to enhance the functions of technical colleges (KOSEN) through increased budgets and potential new establishments. • Selection of universities for various programs, including the AIMS program and diversity-focused research environments.