EDU-Port Japan 2.0
March 3, 2023
International Affairs Division,Minister’s Secretariat, MEXT

Research Project for promoting Japanese-style Education
Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic (EDU-Port Japan 2.0)

FY 2023 budget: 72 million yen (plan)
FY 2022 budget: 74 million yen

Background••

Japanese-style education draws international interest due to its unique approaches-Elementary and junior high school education centers on cultivating a well-balanced solid academic ability, rich humanity, and healthy body.
-Colleges of technology, KOSEN, develop engineers so they will have practical and sophisticated skills.
EDU-Port Japan is included as one of the new pillars in “The Third Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education” (cabinet decision in June 2018), and is also
incorporated in “Japan‘s Infrastructure System Overseas Promotion Strategy 2025” (December 2020) and the 12th proposal of the Council for the Implementationof Education Rebuilding (June 2021) .

Project Summary
Leveraging the “Public-Private Collaborative Platform for promoting Japanese-style Education” which is built in cooperation with the MOFA, METI, JICA, JETRO, local
public organizations, and educational institutions, etc., MEXT conducts a research and study for promoting Japanese-style education amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Performance and Outcomes to Date
◆ During the 6 years from FY2016 to FY2021, 80 projects have been
implemented in a total of 45 countries and regions.
◆ Number of participants from Japan: approx. 26,000◆ Number of participants from partner countries: more than 91,000⇒ Contributed towards the internationalization of Japan’seducation, and produced solid results
1. Increase in international presence of “Japan’s education, culture,and systems”
2. Accumulation of knowledge on the education of foreign children
3. Review of Japan’s lesson planning and teacher training
4. “Reverse importing" of outstanding initiatives from other countries
5. Acceptance of international students from partner countries
6. Creation of a new industry-academic-government partnership
regarding education
etc.
◆Furthermore, many achievements have been made such as theintroduction of instrumental music education in the local curriculum
guideline (music) and the introduction of a Japanese-style curriculum
when establishing the first local robot department in the country’s
national institute of technology.
◆In FY2022, 5 research projects to promote public health educationand 2 projects to understand the needs of African countries andmeasures for overseas expansion were conducted.

Specific Initiatives to Further Outcomes◆ Managing Public-Private Collaborative Platform
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Expert committee made up of representatives fromthe public and private sectors
Symposiums, seminars, exhibits at an international
forum
Individual discussions and networking withbusinesses expanding overseas
Video distribution (in 8 languages)
Public relations, promotional activities
related to Japanese-style education, etc.
Support to arrange school visits
Selection and support of EDU-Port Japan Supported Project◆ Research on strategic overseas expansion
in Africa•

On the occasion of TICAD8, conduct research to understandthe needs of African countries and measures for overseas
expansion, etc. in the post COVID-19 pandemic.

◆ Research on sharing and overseas expansionof learning methods to ensure quality education
for children in our unpredictable world•

Implementing research and study on measures to introduce
and promote Japan’s unique learning methods to overseas, such as the use ofdigital technology ensuring equitable and quality education for all children, andthe development of capacity acquiring necessary knowledge and skills
throughout life.

Expected Outcome
Further internationalization of Japan’s education (development of new education programs, acceleration of collaborative international education, etc.), expansionof pro-Japan people and contribution towards SDGs (strengthening relationships with other countries, promotion of mutual understanding), and contribution to
Japan’s economic growth, etc. in the post-COVID-19 era.

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FY 2022: List of Research Projects on Overseas Expansion of Japanese-style Education in the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic
Strategic Overseas Expansion in Africa
Project Name

Improving the Quality ofLearning through Fukuistyle Education:
Collaborative
Development Project
between Japan and theAfrican Region

Representative
Organization

University ofFukuiCountry

Project Summary

This project aims to contribute to the quality of education in the African
region by developing schools for the 21st-century education and building
All of Africa withprofessional learning communities and networks to support teachers’
Malawi as the core,learning. For this purpose, University of Fukui will collaborate with Nalikule
while focusing
College of Education in Malawi to conduct lesson studies in conjunction withalso on Ethiopia,
the online program. Moreover, this project aims to expand the scale of theEgypt, Southroundtable that has been operated in Malawi in the African region and FukuiAfrica, andAfrica to establish a sustainable implementation framework. Furthermore,
Ugandathrough these initiatives, this project also aims to improve the quality ofstudents’ learning.

Improving Non-cognitive
Skills of Industrial Workers
Kumon Institutethrough Habitual
Republic of Southof Education Co.,
Mathematics Learning andAfrica
Ltd.
Measuring its
EffectivenessIn today’s knowledge-based society, where people are expected to update
their knowledge even after completing school, this project is to examine
whether young people who are working can improve their discipline, selfesteem, and ability to devise solutions to problems (non-cognitive abilities)
as well as their mathematics and logical thinking (cognitive abilities) byacquiring the habit of learning mathematics. This project will examine themeaning of these abilities and the process of their formation.
For this purpose, we will combine Nagoya University’s expertise in skill
evaluation accumulated in Africa with teaching materials and instructional
methods tailored to individual abilities.

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List of EDU-Port Japan Supported Projects (2021-2022)
Total 21 projects *As of March 3, 2023
▲ Pre-School Education/ ★ Primary and Secondary Education/ ● Higher Education/ ■ Teacher Education
Emirate of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)★Project of academic skills development at elementary schools
in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (2021-2022)

United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar★Nippon Middle East Friendship Silk Project (2021-2022)

Turkey★Project of Improving Science Education utilizing ScienceExperiment Kits in Turkey (2022-)

Egypt★ Introduction of Japanese-style music education in primaryeducation in Egypt (2022-)

Vietnam★ Systematic support for afforestation studies in Vietnamese school education (2021-2022)▲ Development of Japanese-style physical education classes in Vietnam by local subsidiary Jacpa
Vietnam Co., Ltd. (2021-2022)▲ STEAM education project for young children incorporating features of Japanese early childhood
education (2021-2022)▲ Management of kodomoen (center for early childhood education and care) that provides Japanesestyle early childhood education and training of teaching staff (2021-2022)■ Introducing “Forestanet” – a platform for teachers to share Japanese-style education – in Vietnam(2022-)★ Mizuno HEXATHLON program for introduction into the public primary education system in Vietnam(2022-)★ Online assessment exams of high-school students’ academic ability (2022-)

Cambodia

Republic of the Philippines■ Findings in Covid Era reward new JapanCambodia ICT Future Classroom (2022-)★ Math Proficiency Improvement Project using
ICT tool of Japanese method (2022-)

Sri Lanka

Bhutan★ Creation of diverse learning opportunities
through collaboration between Sri Lanka andJapan (2022-)■ Roll-out of hands-on technical education
through enhanced practical subjects andimproving faculty member’s skills (2021-2022)

in primary education in Brazil (2022-)

Indonesia, ThailandIndiaPeru★ Pilot project for inquiry-based mathematics
education in Indonesia and Thailand (2021-2022)★ Introduction of Japanese-style musiceducation in primary education in India (2022-)

Senegal★ Education for International Understanding throughcollaborative learning for Well-Being (2022-)

Brazil★ Introduction of Japanese-style instrumental music education● Development of model curriculum of food science andimplementation of Japanese-style science education (2022-)

China, Romania, Korea, Singapore, Australia★ Online exporting Japanese-style dance education known as “SOUSAKU-DANCE” (2021-2022)

4FY 2022: List of EDU-Port Japan Supported Projects
Project Name

Project of Improving ScienceEducation utilizing Science
Experiment Kits in Turkey

RepresentativeOrganization

IC Net Limited

Findings in Covid Era reward
new Japan-Cambodia ICT
Future Classroom

UCHIDA YOKO CO.,LTD.

Math Proficiency Improvement
Project using ICT tool ofJapanese method

SHINKOSHUPPANSH
A KEIRINKAN Co., Ltd.

Introducing “Forestanet” – aplatform for teachers to share
Japanesestyle education – in Vietnam

Creation of diverse learning
opportunities throughcollaboration between SriLanka and Japan

Mizuno HEXATHLON programfor introduction into the public
primary education system inVietnam

SPRIX Corp.

SuRaLa Net Co., Ltd.

MIZUNO CorporationCountry

Project Summary

TurkeyThrough collaboration with local teachers and trials in partner schools, this project will make thescience education contents of Japan into contents suitable for Turkish primary and secondary
education curriculum and daily classes. By providing the education kit and teaching method as a set,
this project aims to increase opportunities for experimentation, introduce hypothesis based lessons,and improve the quality of science education to develop higher-order thinking skills.

CambodiaThis project aims to integrate knowledge gained by Cambodian teachers in online classes during
COVID-19 pandemic with new Japanese-style education (GIGA-School and interactive learning),
share the knowledge to learning platforms and develop them into collaborative daily classes.
Specifically, this project will share the online learning experiences in Japan and Cambodia, conductexchanges between elementary schools, high schools, and universities in both countries, and create
an opportunity for university students from both countries to participate together in an internationalpresentation competition.

Philippines

This project will introduce “Smart Lecture”, a combined paper-digital teaching tool, to public andprivate elementary and secondary schools in the Philippines to verify its effectiveness. Throughimproving math skills of students, this project aims to contribute to building a productive workforce thatis the essential condition for industrial development and sustainable economic growth.

Vietnam“Forestanet” is an online platform among Japanese teachers to share their teaching methods (e.g.
how to write on the blackboard, sample handouts, etc.), classroom management skills (e.g. how tomaintain classroom environment, how to develop students’ capacity, etc.) and others. This project
aims to establish Vietnamese version of the “Forestanet” system to encourage information-sharing
among Vietnamese teachers and university students who want to become teachers by translating
various contents created by Japanese teachers into Vietnamese and upload them to the “Forestanet”.

Sri Lanka

This project aims to enhance learning support that is inclusive for the impoverished people in SriLanka, where social disruption is also growing due to COVID-19 and worsening economic conditions.
To expand collaboration with educational institutions and NGOs, this project will hold a seminar to
introduce initiatives utilizing digital education. Additionally, Digital Math Contest incorporating
Japanese-style math education will be held as an international competition among SuRaLa operating
countries including Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Furthermore, an event in which Japanese students will
also compete by the amount of learning will be held, thereby fostering independence and aninternational perspective in students of participating countries through exchange among participants
including those from Sri Lanka and Japan.

VietnamThis project aims to introduce a physical exercise program which was uniquely developed to all public
primary schools in Vietnam, through discussions with the Ministry of Education and Training, trainingof instructors, demonstration in pilot schools, and other efforts. It is expected to improve physicaleducation lessons in Vietnam, which currently is weak in providing children the opportunities topractice movements such as “running”, “jumping” or “throwing” under the limitation of time allocated toclasses. This project further seeks to bring the joy and happiness of doing sports and to contribute tomitigating health problems, particularly obesity, and improving health.

5FY 2022: List of EDU-Port Japan Supported Projects
Project Name

Introduction of Japanese-style
music education in primaryeducation in Egypt

Representative
Organization

Yamaha Corporation

Introduction of Japanese-style
instrumental music education in Yamaha Corporation
primary education in Brazil

Online assessment exams ofhigh-school students’ academic LabHok Co., Ltd.
ability

Development of model
curriculum of food science andimplementation of Japanesestyle science education

Country

Project Summary

Egypt

For third grade of Egyptian-Japanese School (EJS) which has no music subject, this project will
create teaching materials based on Japanese-style music education, conduct music teacher training,and introduce music classes. For fourth grade which has music classes without instrumental music
curriculum, this project will provide teacher training and recorder lessons by expanding the numberof pilot schools. Through these activities, this project further seeks to contribute to the achievementof Goal 4, 10, 16 and 17 of SDGs in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and TechnicalEducation.

BrazilTo support the promotion of holistic education in Brazil, this project will provide around 300 students
with Japanese-style instrumental music education using recorders at 20 public primary schools in
Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in Brazil. Based on the 10 competencies that the Ministry ofEducation in Brazil has set as the “Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC)”, this project willconduct a research about what kind of “non-cognitive skills” can be nurtured by Japanese-style
instrumental music education with cities and universities in Brazil and Japanese university. Throughthe collaboration with private industry, government, and academia, this project further seeks tocontribute to the achievement of Goal 4, 10, 16 and 17 of SDGs.

Viet Nam

This project will develop and run an online exam to assess the academic ability of high school
students. The online exam enables students to compare and evaluate their capacity across schools
and provinces, eases the burden on teachers, which helps overcome the teacher shortage anduneven teaching quality and assists in optimized learning and teaching opportunities. This project
helps students expand their possibilities and contributes to nurturing excellent international humanresources in Viet Nam.

Indiana Global Learning
Republic of PeruCenter

Education for International
Understanding throughcollaborative learning for WellBeing

EDU-Mo Co., Ltd.

Republic ofSenegal

Introduction of Japanese-style
music education in primaryeducation in India

Yamaha Corporation

Republic of India

This project will improve and continue the contents of two existing courses (“Sake Studies” and“Japanese Tea Studies”), which are the subjects of sake and Japanese tea offered at the Catholic
University of Santa María (UCSM) in Peru.
The project will also develop new subjects (“Taste and Aroma” and “Traditional Food and FoodPairing”) that focus on the content that has been part of both subjects so far. At the same time, theproject will develop textbooks corresponding to these subjects and supplementary teachingmaterials for experimental practice.
This project will provide elementary, junior high, and high school students in Senegal and Japan
with Education for International Understanding to learn, think, and solve domestic problems of bothcountries on their own initiative.
This project aims to improve the quality of education in Senegal (teachers, teaching methods, useof ICT, etc.). On the Japanese side, by providing opportunities to experience different cultures fromchildhood, the project will contribute to improvement of problem-solving skills and development of
human resources for internationalization of both countries.
This project will provide around 580 students with Japanese-style instrumental music education
using recorders at 10 public primary schools in collaboration with the Delhi Board of School
Education (DBSE). In addition, for those affiliated schools where instrumental music education has
not been introduced so far, the project will continue to provide teacher training for music teachers,
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focusing on how to play the recorder and use the teaching method of holistic education. Throughthese activities, the project further seeks to contribute to improving of
the quality for music education in public primary schools in India.

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Efforts to Build a School Visit System
Way of thinking/current situation• Providing opportunities for overseas educators to visit schools in Japan and deepen their understandingof Japanese education is one of the ways to promote the overseas expansion of Japanese-styleeducation.
• Until now, each school has voluntarily accepted school visits upon request.
We accept visits. However, it is not possible for schools tocoordinate contact with visitors because it is complicated.

I want to visit a Japanese school, but
I don't know where to ask.

Visitors are welcome if accompanied
by an interpreter.

Overseas
educator

Efforts in 2022

Outline and purpose of the school visit system
Outline:Act as a contact point for accepting andcoordinating school visit requests from overseas.
Purpose: Provide overseas educators with the opportunity
to experience and deepen their understanding ofJapanese-style education and contribute to theinternationalization of Japanese school sites andeducators who are on the receiving side.

Schoolofficials inJapan• In order to understand the current situation of school visits as well as
requests and concerns about the school visit system, interviews wereconducted with officials in charge of schools, boards of education, andschool corporations, etc.
• Details of the system are being studied based on the survey results.
• In 2022, two trial school visits were conducted.
(Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam : University of Tsukuba)(Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of Cambodia : Minato Municipal
Aoyama Elementary School)

Basic image of coordinating visits

2. Approach/coordinate withvisit destination options inJapan

1. Visit request(Contact time, school type,number of people, etc.)

3. Respond with availability andconditions
Overseas educatorsinterested in visits

4. Presentation of visit destination
options and content, etc.
Final adjustment of visit date andtime, etc.

Secretariat

5. Final contact,
arrange for an interpreteron the day if necessary

School cooperating with visit

7Thank you
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