The following is the charter for “Learning of Tomorrow,” which is scheduled to be established in May.

　A shortage of IT personnel has been an issue in Japan for about 30 years, but as IT has become deeply integrated into every aspect of society in recent years, the demand for IT personnel is increasing—not only in the IT and media production sectors, but across all industries. However, coupled with the decline in the working-age population, securing such personnel is becoming even more critical.

　Furthermore, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by AI, IoT, and other technologies, is said to be the fifth civilizational innovation—Society 5.0—following hunting, farming, industry, and information technology. The ability to use IT—not just for industry but for everyone in all aspects of society, culture, and daily life—and to create new value based on that, is likely to become an essential foundational skill.
　
　The government has adopted a policy to provide environments in elementary and junior high schools where students learn using information terminals and digital textbooks by 2020, and has outlined plans to make programming a required subject. Learning environments for the new era are now being established, including the provision of online education at universities, the establishment of vocational universities to train IT professionals who can be deployed immediately, and the expansion of “lifelong learning” opportunities.

　Education businesses run by private companies—collectively known as EdTech—are becoming increasingly active. Not only education companies, but also, one after another, telecommunications companies, IT firms, game companies, toy manufacturers, and others are entering the business of providing hardware and software. The use of apps and digital teaching materials in tutoring schools, distance learning, and at home is also gaining momentum. The programming education sector—including the development of classrooms and teaching materials—continues to attract new entrants. Services that incorporate AI and big data, such as student study records, into the development of educational materials are also being offered, while changes are taking place in the environments of home and extracurricular learning.
　
　However, in terms of the digitization of education, Japan remains underdeveloped. In elementary schools, there is one computer for every six students, and Japan ranks lowest among OECD countries in terms of IT implementation. Aside from the provision of IT infrastructure, there are also many challenges regarding curriculum development and the training of instructors. While other countries are emphasizing STEM education and computer science education—including programming—as well as making use of the cloud and social media, Japan is clearly lagging behind in these areas.

　There is also no doubt that informatization will enter its next stage following digitization and smart systems—a phase in which a series of technological trends, such as AI, IoT, robotics, and blockchain, will surge into the realm of education.

　Education has continued to evolve in tandem with technological progress. The invention of the printing press led to the creation of textbooks, and group instruction became the standard teaching method. In the 20th century, new media such as film, radio, and television were adopted. In the 21st century, IT and AI are reshaping the type of workers society needs, and this, in turn, will drive innovation in education.

　This new era is one of continuous change. It is a society in which lifelong learning will be essential, from childhood through old age. Inside and outside of schools, homes, workplaces, and local communities must connect organically to create learning environments.

　We should focus our efforts on developing learning and teaching environments and push the boundaries of innovation. We should strive to catch up with and lead the world in the areas of infrastructure provision for IT education and the development of advanced AI and IoT education.

　This is also an effort to build “Learning of Tomorrow”—learning spaces that transcend the boundaries of traditional schools. This will require a design that places all learners at its center. In doing so, it will be important to draw on the wisdom of the many private-sector entities with an interest in this field and to take concrete action.

January 2018
The Founders