The Policy Trend and Present Issues in Early Childhood Education and Childhood Care in Japan

Abstract

First of all, this survey places in order Early Childhood Education and Childhood Care in Japan from the late 1990’s, and how the present situation of child-care has undergone rapid change. Secondly, the goals of Child Support Policy are examined from historical points of view. This section also addresses Early Childhood Education and Childhood Care from the perspective of child-care support from the 1990’s until the present time. The third section outlines the content and problems of Japanese Early Childhood Education and Childhood Care Policy which have arisen from child care support to the Next Generation Promotion Support Policy. This survey also refers to specific examples of the “Action Plan” with its contents and issues which symbolizes modern Child-Care Support Policy in Japan. As a result, the following three themes have been identified; interests towards early childhood education research in foreign countries has increased, the current situation of early childhood education in Japan was identified, and Early Childhood Education Policy in Japan was identified. In conclusion, this paper describes the issues and perspectives towards Early Childhood Education Research exchange which includes East Asia with an on-going partnership between Korea and Japan.