Amendments To Japan's Basic Law Of Education: A Change In The Basic Concept Of Education In Japan

The history of educational reforms and development in Japan is in fact a history of changes and improvements in its educational concepts. Every and each reform in educational system id closely related with political and economic situations and development goals in the long run. This is especially true of Japan. It has a great impact on the development of Japanese economy in many ways a shows basic orientation in the social and educational development during a certain period of history in Japan. Education in the age of information and globalization has to adapt itself to satisfy the needs of different schools and communities' families. And to challenge demands in educational popularization and life-time education. As a result, the conflict between demands in multi polar education and traditional education concepts emerges and to adjust and improve the basic concept of education has become one of the focal issues in Japan today.On the 28th of April 2006, the Ministry of Science and Education formally submitted an amendment to The Basic Law of Education to the Cabinet trying to get it passed before the Parliament concludes its session on June 18. This indicates that there will be a drastic change in educational concepts since the law was promulgated to60 years ago. It is of practical significance and theoretical value to have a clear picture of changes in basic concepts of Japanese education and orientations in its reform and development by a systematic analysis and study of basic concepts of education before and after the amendments to the Basic Law of Education. This thesis attempts to discuss the practical importance and theoretical value of the amendments to the Basic Law of Education and bring to light the regular patterns of changes in basic concepts of Japanese education.The thesis explores the objection of Basic Law of Education to prewar educational basic idea and looks through the amendments to Japan's Basic Law of Educational by analyzing the basic educational concepts of the Amendments of Basic Law of Education. I think Japan's education will change greatly in new century because of the change of basic educational concepts if the amendments can be admitted.The thesis consists of 3 parts.The thesis is divided into three parts: part I discusses practical significance of the amendments to the Basic Law of Education through a review of major contents of the law, the process of legislation and its nature and historical status;part II analyzes the basic concepts of education before the amendment;part III analyzes and studies the basic concepts of education after the amendment with the anthers Points of vies toward its historical and practical importance followed.