A New Direction of Geography Education in Japan for the 21st Century

Abstract

In search of a new direction of geography education for the 21st century, geography educators throughout Japan is just on

the critical stage for the curriculum reform. It may be said that there are three major factors which are causing the dramatic

change in educational system in Japan, especially in the social studies curriculum. In this context geography educators are

very much concerned with the future of the curriculum reform of geography education in Japan. The first and the basic factor pushing the educational system of Japan in the direction of the dramatic reform is mainly because of the rapid changes in the social structure. People of Japan is in the beginning of feeling that the society is shifting toward the age of internationally interdependence. The rapid increase in the overseas investments by the Japanese businesses and the massive inflow of foreign workers into Japan is making people feel that they are living in the age of internationalization of the society.