drug abuse hand in hand with local communities, MEXT provides guidance to prefectural boards of education. MEXT has also prepared and distributed educational materials to schoolchildren, engaged in publicity and educational activities utilizing large-screen displays at sports fields, launched a website (http://www.hokenkai.co.jp/3/3-1/3-1.html) and worked to improve drug abuse prevention education.

A survey on smoking conducted by MEXT shows that schoolchildren continue to have a significant interest in smoking, despite the fact that many of them are aware of the harmful health effects of smoking. Interest in drinking is on the rise and, in general, the younger the student, the less informed he/she was of the harmful health effects of alcohol consumption. Schools need to improve their smoking/drinking prevention education.

In the context of school education, MEXT is preparing educational materials on smoking prevention for schoolchildren to encourage them early on to adopt an attitude that keeps them from smoking.

## (3) Enhancing Sex Education

Sex education at schools is grounded on respect for human dignity and seeks to provide schoolchildren with scientific knowledge about sex suited to their stage of development and to help them acquire the ability to think and judge for themselves so that they make desirable choices accordingly. In offering sex education, it is necessary to ensure that (1) the content is suitable for the students' stage of development, (2) the content is of educational value, and (3) the content is acceptable to families and communities.

The content of guidance was enhanced in the present Learning Guidance Guidelines: elementary school physical education classes from the 4th grade are to provide guidance on the growth and development of schoolchildren within a health context, and health and physical education classes at junior high school are specifically instructed to begin offering guidance on AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.

MEXT has also been pursuing such measures as (1) preparing AIDS educational materials for elementary, junior high and high school students, (2) holding symposiums for teachers and other staff, and (3) conducting practical research in order to promote AIDS education and sex education in communities.

## (4) Enhancing Measures to Combat Communicable Disease

Tuberculosis group infections at schools, EEC O-157 food poisoning, and outbreaks of influenza and rubella have made the news in recent years. In addition to concerns about STDs among the younger generations, new communicable diseases such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and highly pathogenic avian influenza have emerged as new hazards that must be addressed promptly. MEXT has worked in cooperation with other ministries and agencies to provide prefectural boards of education with up-to-date information and compiled lists of points for schools to consider in responding to these risks.

MEXT has distributed pamphlets on school countermeasures against tuberculosis to all 7th and 9th graders, and distributed reference materials on STD prevention to high school teachers to better combat communicable diseases at schools.

## (5) Dealing with Hygiene Problems in the School Environment

The increasing airtightness of housing and the use of construction and interior finishing materials that release chemical substances have given rise in recent years to indoor air contamination and consequent health difficulties for residents (the “sick house syndrome”).

In light of the results of on-site research on indoor airborne contamination in schools, MEXT in February 2002 revised its School Environment Health Standards, guidelines for maintaining a healthy school environment. Inspections of indoor air density of formaldehyde and three other substances (styrene was one of two substances added in February 2004) were incorporated, and guidance has been provided on circulation and other appropriate follow-up measures to be taken when densities exceed certain levels.

## (6) Allergy Countermeasures at Schools

Atopic dermatitis and other allergies have become problematic among schoolchildren in recent years, and school responses have assumed greater importance.