PART Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture
Chapter 2 Promotion of Lifelong Learning
2 Development of Infrastructures for Lifelong Learning
(4) Development of Relevant Mechanisms for the Provision of Learning Resource Information and Counseling Services
One of the most important tasks for prefecture and municipal
governments with regard to the promotion of lifelong learning is to develop a
relevant environment where people are provided with appropriate information about
learning opportunities so that they may choose such learning opportunities as
are most suitable for themselves, and where people can utilize counseling services
as to the content and methods of their learning. For this reason, in some prefectures
the prefecture government, in cooperation with municipal governments, has been
developing prefecture systems for lifelong learning information under which information
about lifelong learning resources is made available to community people at citizen's
public halls or other community centers close to the people, and counseling services
are made available. In these services the creation of databases for various learning
resources, as well as of information networks, is attempted. So far eight prefectures,
including Gunma and Hyogo, have been developing these services. In addition,
under prefecture programs for promoting lifelong learning, prefecture governments
have been providing information and counseling services regarding learning opportunities
by preparing and disseminating basic materials for such services and by using
television and radio programs.