Today, I had planned a get-together with the members of the Parliamentary League for Education ICT to once again celebrate the enactment of the Act on the Promotion of Information and Communications Technology in Education and to thank everyone for their hard work—but of course, we had to cancel it!
However… I figured that meant the members’ schedules would be open! So I went to consult with Chairman Toshiaki Endo and Secretary-General Masahito Moriyama regarding the online classes we’ve been forced to conduct due to the pandemic.I’m sorry it turned into a petition instead of a celebratory get-together.
Along with explaining the contents of the statement we issued as the Learning of Tomorrow Association, I presented three specific requests.

1. Expansion of the “One PC per Student” Program to All Grade Levels Through the GIGA School Budget

2. Unauthorized Use of Copyrighted Works in Online Classes (Compensation System)

3. Removal of the Cap on Credit Hours for Online Courses

1. The initiative to provide
one computer per student across all grade levels using the school budget involves supplementing the budget for one computer per student (for three grade levels), which was allocated in the fiscal year 2019 supplementary budget, with additional funding from the recent economic stimulus package aimed at combating the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby ensuring coverage for all grade levels.
Given the possibility of continued school closures due to COVID-19, we recognize that providing one computer per student and ensuring internet access are urgent priorities.

2. “Unauthorized Use of Copyrighted Works in Online Classes (Compensation System)
” called for the prompt enforcement of the amended Copyright Act pertaining to the compensation system for public transmission for educational purposes.
Although the Copyright Act was amended to allow the use of copyrighted works in online classes without permission—including on-demand classes, real-time broadcasts of studio-based classes, and the emailing of materials for preparatory and review purposes—provided that compensation is paid, negotiations between rights holders and educational institutions have stalled over compensation amounts andguidelines, and since education boards and other relevant bodies have not yet secured budgetary provisions for the new fiscal year, this measure aims to facilitate the enforcement of the amended law through budgetary measures and other means.

3. Removal
of the Cap on Credit Recognition for Online Courses: Even though universities are able to conduct remote classes, only up to 60 credits are recognized toward graduation requirements. If the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, there is a risk that students will be unable to graduate even if they continue taking online courses.
This restriction should be lifted in the short term, and its long-term implications should be examined.

These are the requests we are making as the Learning of Tomorrow Association, and we earnestly ask that political leadership ensure they are realized.