Fundamental Law of Education

The Fundamental Law of Education, enacted in Japan in 1947, established the framework for a new, democratic postwar educational system. This law, along with the School Education Law, replaced the prewar militaristic and ultranationalistic ideology with a focus on preparing children for life in a democratic society. Key reforms included extending compulsory attendance to nine years, introducing coeducation, and simplifying school programs into a six-three-three-four structure for elementary, lower secondary, upper secondary schools, and universities, respectively. State textbooks were replaced by commercial ones, and local control of schools was emphasized through elective boards of education. The curriculum shifted from shūshin (moral education) to subjects like shakaika (social studies).1