At the DiTT study session, we held a discussion featuring presentations by Mr. Umemura, Director of the Information Education Division at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT); Mr. Inudo, Director of the Information Distribution Promotion Division at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC); and Mr. Ito, Counselor of the Industrial Human Resources Policy Office at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
We have received tremendous support from these three individuals this fiscal year, and it was noted that it is rare for officials from all three ministries to take the stage together.
　Director Uemura of MEXT gave a presentation titled “Promoting the Digitalization of Education Based on the New Curriculum Guidelines to Be Implemented in Fiscal Year 2020.” Under the Second Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education, the target was set at one PC for every 3.6 students, and fiscal measures totaling 167.8 billion yen per year were implemented over a four-year period.Currently, the ratio stands at one computer for every 5.9 students. Regional disparities in equipment deployment are becoming increasingly pronounced. Saga Prefecture is the only jurisdiction to have achieved the target. Sixty percent of local governments have no plans to formulate deployment plans. The Third Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education sets a target of deploying equipment equivalent to one class’s worth for every three classes by fiscal year 2022.This target was set with the immediate goal of providing equipment equivalent to one class per day. Other targets include a 100% internet connection rate and the assignment of one ICT support staff member per four schools. To achieve this, annual fiscal measures totaling 180.5 billion yen will be implemented.Regarding programming education, the Guidelines for Elementary School Programming Education are scheduled to be announced by the end of March. In fiscal year 2018, efforts will focus primarily on developing teaching examples and similar initiatives.

　Mr. Inudo, Director-General of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, gave a lecture on “Developing Human Resources with an Eye Toward the Coming Era of IoT, AI, and Beyond.”Aiming to foster motivation and interest through ICT education and to nurture future entrepreneurs, the government will build a system where people of all ages can learn together. In particular, it will focus on initiatives to promote IoT learning in local communities, establish methods for creating learning opportunities led by businesses and local residents, and promote the development of cutting-edge IoT talent. It is hoped that this will ultimately lead to regional revitalization.While agriculture, healthcare, and education are often cited as sectors lagging behind in ICT adoption, agriculture—having started from scratch—has turned this into an advantage and is advancing rapidly; however, the situation is reportedly challenging in education and healthcare, where adoption has been only half-hearted.
　In 2005, CANVAS, with the cooperation of UNESCO and other organizations, partnered with NTT Docomo to conduct a workshop where children used cell phones to create four-panel manga. At that time, Section Chief Inudo was a secretary at the French Embassy. He spoke about that experience and emphasized that this is a field led by the private sector.

　Mr. Ito, a Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), gave a lecture titled “Learning and Basic Competencies for Working Adults in the ‘AI Era/100-Year Life Era.’” The government is currently prioritizing human resources. Population decline and rapid changes in the industrial structure are bringing about significant shifts in how people work and learn.The move to make programming education mandatory originated from discussions within METI’s Industrial Structure Council, which were then passed on to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). I participated as a council member and, of course, advocated for making programming education mandatory; I recall it being a heated debate.While there is debate about AI taking away human jobs, the issue is not “AI vs. humans,” but rather “people who can utilize AI vs. those who cannot,” which underscores the importance of investment in education and human resources. In the “100-Year Life” era, learning and working become integrated, and the ability to learn throughout one’s life is crucial.To adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we identified the following as essential: a mindset characterized by a spirit of challenge, diversity, and cross-cultural understanding; core competencies such as creativity and problem identification/solving; proficiency in one’s native language, English, and IT literacy; and specialized knowledge. Going forward, it is crucial to move away from the “Showa-era board game” model of life and embrace a “GPS-style” approach to life.

　Afterward, I engaged in a discussion with the three panelists. I primarily raised three points:
1. In light of the proposed amendments to the School Education Act and other related laws, as well as the bipartisan bill on the digitization of education, what are the future prospects? (Can Japan become a leading nation in the digitization of education?)
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT): While the institutionalization of digital textbooks is progressing, the bipartisan parliamentary league is presenting a vision that goes even further, and we aim to work toward that. Local governments will have no choice but to adapt, so we want to support them. Local government leaders play a crucial role. This year and next year will be decisive.
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: When systems change, people change. While I can’t speak with authority on this—since the public sector is the most behind in ICT adoption—collaboration between schools and external partners is the path to becoming an advanced nation.
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: We need to clarify what the national government should and should not do.There is no single “right answer” when it comes to technological innovation and development. The fact that we were a laggard in the digitization of education could potentially become a strength through leapfrogging. We want to create a new future.

2. What do you expect from the private sector, including DiTT, to achieve this?
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT): We hope to encourage the private sector to provide educational materials and services to local governments and foster collaboration between schools and the private sector.
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: We want to see this initiative promoted vigorously, regardless of institutional frameworks. We hope to see close horizontal collaboration so that everyone works together to drive this forward.
METI: While industry and education are often perceived as conflicting, it is important to view this through the lens of the economy and business. We want the private sector to build momentum.

3. The establishment of the Learning of Tomorrow Association is one example of the private sector’s efforts to promote this. What are your expectations for it?
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT): We want to actively explore how technology can be utilized in education. It is beneficial for various stakeholders to engage in discussion. We hope to receive a variety of input during these discussions.
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: We hope you will create a collaborative framework that ensures sustained progress without relying on tax revenue. We understand that “Learning of Tomorrow” aims to build a national education system that extends beyond just schools.
METI: We hope you will envision the future of education. We want the private sector to build momentum and raise the profile of “Learning of Tomorrow” to the point where it wins the Buzzword of the Year award.We hope the general public will take an interest in this.

I believe we have received encouragement from these three ministries for our efforts, including those of Learning of Tomorrow.
We intend to move forward vigorously as a private-sector entity while maintaining thorough communication with the government.