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Organisation
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
文部科学省 |
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Shortname
Head Office
MEXT
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), 322 Kasumigaseki, Chiyodaku, Tokyo 1008959,
Japan
Offices/Branches
International Representation
Mission
Not Relevant
No
The promotion of elementary and secondary education, higher education, educational reform, the planning
and drafting of basic science and technology policies, promoting research and development, sports and
youth and the sound mental and physical development of the Japanese people, measures aimed at making
Japan a cultureoriented country.
Status
Activities
Government ministries
Research policymaker
Research funder
Main activity
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) performs activities relating to:
Elementary and Secondary Education,
Higher Education,
Lifelong Learning Policy,
Science and Technology Policy,
Research Promotion,
Research and Development
Sports
Cultural Affairs.
Research Policymaker
The Science and Technology Policy Bureau is responsible for the planning and drafting of basic science and technology policies.
The Bureau is also responsible for the formulation of research and development programmes, the promotion of research
evaluation, the training of researchers and specialists, regional science and technology promotion, promoting the understanding
of science and technology, the promotion of a comprehensive policy on international research exchange, duties related to safety
regulations, and environmental surveys for nuclear reactors for experimental research and radioactive isotopes, etc.
Research funder
The Research Promotion Bureau is responsible for promoting a wide range of scientific research, from the humanities and the
social sciences to the natural sciences, by establishing academic research institutions and provision of assistance for academic
research. It is also responsible for promotion of research and development in such areas as life sciences, information and
communications, nanotechnology and materials, and quantum and radiation research, as well as for strengthening coordination
between industry, academia, and government and Japan's intellectual property and development of research foundations.The
Research and Development Bureau is responsible for promoting research and development centered on largescale projects,
such as research and development on earthquakes, disaster reduction, the ocean, the earth, and the environment; the
promotion of Antarctic observation, the International Space Station (ISS) Programme and other research; the development and
utilization of space; and research and development on nuclear power, nuclear fusion promoting the International Thermonuclear
Experimental Reactor (ITER) project and nuclear fuel cycle including the prototype fast breeder reactor 'Monju'. The Bureau is
also responsible for areas related to nuclear energy policy, including the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Background
Following governmental reform in 2001, the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture
(Monbusho) became the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Monbukagakusho
or MEXT). Following this change, The Science and Technology Agency (STA) which mostly supported large
science projects in the nuclear or space/aerospace fields, was merged into the new Monbukagakusho, with
MEXT accumulating these aspects of major science activity. Prior to this, the old Monbusho had mostly
addressed scientific activities undertaken in the universities.
Main Structure
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) is directed by the Minister of
State. There are Two Senior Vice Ministers, one Vice Minister, a Parliamentary Secretary and two Deputy
Managers. The Minister is supported by a Minister’s Secretariat, which comprises Personnel, General Affairs,
Budget and Accounts, a Policy Division and International Affairs Division. Seven bureaus have responsibility
for specific areas. The Lifelong Learning Policy Bureau comprises a Policy Planning and Coordination,
Analytical Research Planning, Lifelong Learning, Social Education, Gender Equality Learning, and
Educational Media and Information Policy Divisions. The Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau
comprises Elementary and Secondary Education Planning, Financial Affairs, School Curriculum, Student
Affairs, Early Childhood Education, Special Support Education, International Education, Textbook, Education
Personnel, and Education. The Higher Education Bureau comprises Higher Education Policy Planning,
University Promotion, Technical Education, Medical Education, Student Services, National University
Corporation Divisions. Within the Higher Education Bureau, a subdepartment dealing with Private
Education Institutions also exists.
Within the Science and Technology Bureau there are Policy, Research and Coordination, Knowledge
Infrastructure Policy, Nuclear Safety, Planning and Evaluation, and International Science and Technology
Affairs Divisions. The Research Promotion Bureau comprises Policy Promotion, Information, Scientific
Research Institutes, Scientific Research Aid, Basic and Generic Research, and Life Sciences Divisions. The
Research and Development Bureau comprises Earthquake Research, Ocean and Earth, Space Development
and Utilization, Atomic Energy, Atomic Energy Research and Development, and Space and Aeronautics
Policy Divisions. The Sports and Youth Bureau comprises a Policy Planning Division, SportsforAll Division,
Competitive Sports Division, Youth Division and Physical Fitness Division. There is a DirectorGeneral for
International Affairs.
Cultural Affairs are served by the Agency for Cultural Affairs chaired by the Commissioner. This includes a
secretariat, Cultural Affairs, Cultural Properties and Department for Special Institutions.
Separately, there are also organs that fall under MEXT jurisdiction such as special institutions and Local
Branch Offices.
Component Organisations (if
Agency for Cultural Affairs (http://www.bunka.go.jp/english/index.html)
Parent Organisation (if any)
Not Relevant.
Characteristics of Operation
On average, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has had a new
any)
Minister of State on an annual basis since 1988.
As with other ministries, MEXT regularly establishes special committees or working groups to investigate
special issues.
MEXT also publishes the White Paper on Science and Technology on an annual basis, as well as other
reports and studies.
Year
Number of Employees
2010
2193
Explanation if statistics are
In addition, the Agency for Cultural Affairs employs 237 personnel.
The main priorities for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) are:
deviant
Research policy priorities
Education (from nursery to higher education)
Science and Technology (including research, universityindustry links, international research activities).
Sports
Culture
Main Policy Priorities
1.2.1 Strategic Research policies (longterm research agendas)
Other Policy Priorities
1.1.1 Strategy policy documents (official documents, policy consultation papers, green or whith papers, Operational
Programmes of Structural Funds)
2.1.1 Policy measures concering excellence, relevance and management of research in Universities
2.1.4 Research Infrastructures
Financing priorities
Development of Priorities
Grants
The main priorities of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) with
regard to science and technology are shaped by the Science and Technology Basic Law and the New
Growth Strategy.
Evolution of Priorities
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) accumulated new areas of
activity following the absorption of the Science and Technology Agency (STA) in 2001, particular in the
area of nuclear research and aviation.
On a five year basis, MEXT implements the Science and Technology Basic Plan and follows the priorities as
set out in each plan. Under the most recent Third Science and Technology Basic Plan, the priorities were
life sciences, information and communications, environmental sciences, nanotechnology and materials.
These priorities were reflected in the budgetary commitments of the Ministry.
Since the passing of the Third Basic Plan, and the introduction of the New Growth Strategy in 2010, MEXT
have been prioritising the life innovation and green innovation fields. They have also been prioritising basic
research and human resource development.
MEXT's budget is broadly stable. In 2005, the budget was €50bn (¥5,573bn).
Source of funds
Government of Japan
Expenditure/Destination of
For the 2009 expenditure budget of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
funds
(MEXT), 31% dedicated to education expense, 23% is for the national universities, 16% is for promoting
science and technology (7% of this is for competitive research funds; 9.3% is for other expenses), 4% is
for energy countermeasure expenses, 8.5% is for student activities and sports. The remaining budget is for
the Agency for Cultural Affairs, textbook development, scholarships, national, public and private university
facilities.
Funding cycles
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) works to an annual budget
cycle.
Allocation of funds
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology aims to implement ex ante evaluation
to all programmes and policies against the outcomes of the policies, use of expenditure, and social needs (
Link (http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/hyouka/main_a11.htm)). Independent Administrative Institutions
(IAIs) are also subject to evaluation.
Funding impact assessment
Based on the Administrative Organ Policy Evaluation Law 2001 Law 86), the Ministry of Education,
processes
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has introduced a Basic Plan for Policy Evaluation (2005
2007). This analyses important information and the evaluation should be reflected in the budget (
Link (http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/hyouka/hanei/06032910/001.htm)).
Japan Search:
Country Fiche (/erawatch/opencms/search/advancesearch.html?tab=country&country=jp#listado)
Country Reports (/erawatch/opencms/search/advancesearch.html?tab=reports&country=jp#listado)
Support Measures (/erawatch/opencms/search/advancesearch.html?tab=template&country=jp&avan_type=support#listado)
Policy Document (/erawatch/opencms/search/advancesearch.html?tab=template&country=jp&avan_type=policydoc#listado)
Organisations (/erawatch/opencms/search/advancesearch.html?tab=template&country=jp&avan_type=organisation#listado)
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