Japan’s Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Hakubun Shimomura, Shares the Ministry’s School of Thought

Hakubun Shimomura was appointed as minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on December 26, 2012. A graduate of Waseda University’s School of Education, he was first elected to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly in 1989 and began serving in governmental roles related to education in 1993. Tokyo Journal’s Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie spoke with Hakubun Shimomura to learn about the government’s plans for English education, the globalization of Japanese universities, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)’s plans for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

TJ: What are some of the greatest challenges that Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology faces?
SHIMOMURA: In the theory of evolution, Darwin says that survivors are not tough or big but are those who can adjust to changes in the environment. Educational needs have varied across the ages, and although the education system in the 20th century was highly successful, it needs to be changed in the 21st century. We should be aware of that. This not only applies to Japan. All other developed countries are also facing this issue. I think this is the greatest challenge that MEXT is facing.

TJ: Can you tell us about the current system of English language education in Japanese public schools?
SHIMOMURA: Yes. The English education system in public schools underwent a revision in 2008. In 2011, foreign language activity started in elementary schools from fifth grade, and in 2012 the frequency of English classes increased from three to four times a week in middle school. Furthermore, the focus of the curriculum shifted from reading and writing to a balance of the four skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. In 2013, English classes began to be taught in English for the purpose of increasing students’ exposure to English and cultivating students’ English communication skills throughout elementary to high school. We have been promoting these revisions.

TJ: How will this change in 2020?
SHIMOMURA: The full-scale revision of educational guidelines will be adopted in 2020. In elementary schools, English activities will move up two years and start from third grade with English being an official subject starting from fifth and sixth grades. In addition to that, private qualifications and proficiency tests will be utilized more for the university entrance process. Also, we will put more emphasis on teacher training and the expansion of Assistance Language Teachers (ALTs) such as the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET), and aim to double the number of native English-speaking teachers and enhance native-English education for children in Japan with native English-speaking teachers’ support.

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