- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
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Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology 文部科学省 Monbukagakushō 
Agency overview Headquarters Tokyo, Japan Ministers responsible Masaharu Nakagawa, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Tenzo Okumura, Senior Vice Minister
Yūko Mori, Senior Vice MinisterWebsite http://www.mext.go.jp The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (文部科学省 Monbu-kagakushō), also known as MEXT or Monkashō, is one of the ministries of the Japanese government.
The Meiji government created the first Ministry of Education in 1871.[1]
The Japanese government centralises education, and it is managed by a state bureaucracy that regulates almost every aspect of the education process. The School Education Law requires schools around the country to use textbooks that follow the curriculum guideline set by the ministry, though there are some exceptions.
In January 2001, the former Monbushō and the former Science and Technology Agency (科学技術庁 Kagaku-Gijutsuchō) merged to become the present MEXT.
MEXT is led by a Minister, who is a member of the Cabinet and is chosen by the Prime Minister, typically from the members of the Diet. The post is currently held by Masaharu Nakagawa.
MEXT is one of three ministries that run the JET Programme. It also offers the prestigious Monbukagakusho Scholarship, also known as the MEXT or Monbushō scholarship.
Contents
Romanization
The Ministry sets standards for the romanization of Japanese. Kunrei-shiki romanization is widely taught in Japanese primary schools, so it has been called the Monbushō system after the predecessor of MEXT.
See also
- National Spiritual Mobilization Movement
- History of Education in Japan
- Japanese textbook controversy
Notes
- ^ Reischauer, Edwin O. et al. (2005), The Japanese Today, p.187.
References
- Reischauer, Edwin O. and Marius Jansen. (2005), The Japanese Today. Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing.
External links
- Official website
- Official website (Japanese)
- Press release on Legislation of "the National University Corporation Law"
Japanese government ministries and agencies 
Cabinet Office (Imperial Household Agency · Fair Trade Commission · National Public Safety Commission and National Police Agency · Financial Services Agency · Consumer Affairs Agency)Internal Affairs and Communications (List) · Justice (List) · Foreign Affairs (List) · Finance (List) · Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (List) · Health, Labour and Welfare (List) · Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (List) · Economy, Trade and Industry (List) · Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (List) · Environment (List) · Defense (List)Coordinates: 35°40′48″N 139°45′47″E / 35.680°N 139.763°E
Categories:- Education laws and guidelines in Japan
- Government ministries of Japan
- Education ministries
- Science ministries
- Sports ministries
- Ministries established in 1871
- Japanese government stubs
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