Editorial: Stronger support for recurrent education needed

November 3 , 2020

Demand for recurrent education, in which an adult learner seeks to develop special skills and knowledge even after completing his or her formal education, is growing. And the need to provide state support such developmental programs is gaining traction.

According to a 2018 Cabinet Office survey, some 36% of respondents replied they had taken part in or are looking to apply for recurrent education programs as adults. When sorted by age, more than half of respondents in their thirties replied in the affirmative. Among the factors thought to be driving this trend is the desire among workers who are finding more time for self-actualization as employers engage in work-style reform and the availability of online schooling programs.

The pandemic has accelerated demand for recurrent education—not only because telework offers people greater time flexibility but also out of mounting concern over job security as the economy falters.

The issue is that Japan lags in this area compared to other industrialized nations. It places dead-last among other OECD countries when it comes to people aged between 25 to 64 engaged in recurrent education. To remedy the situation, the government needs to extend financial assistance to leaners while expanding the curricula available to them via television, radio and internet.

While such support is already being provided to universities and vocational schools that offer recurrent education programs, the government must step up its game. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology launched a YouTube channel in August to inform and guide interested learners, but additional work is needed to further popularize relevant initiatives.

On October 29, Komeito Secretary General Keiichi Ishii formally urged the government to push forward its recurrent education support, citing the synergistic benefits to learner, employers and macroeconomy as a result.