Public interest in social education has increased markedly as a result of the improved living standard and the expanded availability of leisure time. The standard of living of the Japanese people has reached a level comparable to that of the West in terms of average income as a result of the rapid expansion of the Japanese economy. Now the emphasis is shifting from material affluence to the quality of living, especially the culture aspect of life. According to the 1990 survey, planetariums, excepting those at some schools, amount to 217. Many visual productions frequently use slides, video tapes, laser disks and movies.
Most planetariums own telescopes and hold public observing sessions on regular basis.
Even where there is part-time staff, it is usually at most one person. Most planetariums are not only understaffed but suffer personnel changes once every few years because of government regulations. Furthermore, planetariums are not always staffed by astronomically literate people. In the worst cases he or she must unwillingly learn everything required step by step. As a matter of course, such planetariums cannot show enterprising spirit or produce programs with their own individual qualities.