Part Two Administrative Policies on Youths

Chapter 8 Policies for International Exchanges

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Section 1

(Youth International Exchanges)

(1) The Cabinet Office organizes various international youth exchange programs: International Youth Development Exchange Projects, Japan-China Youth Friendship Exchange, Japan-Korea Youth Friendship Exchange, Ship for World Youths, Ship for Southeast Asia Youths, 21st Century Renaissance of Youth Leaders Invitation Program, and International Youth Village. In 2002, the "Program for the Development of Core Leaders of Social Activities by Youths" started with the aim of developing young leaders who will carry out core social activities.

(2) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organizes short- and long-term youth invitation programs as well as the "Friendship Plan for the 21st Century" to invite young people from ASEAN countries to Japan. As part of technical corporation by the government, it also carries out the missionary program of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers. As of the end of March 2003, 2,315 young people were dispatched to 66 countries.

(3) Under the "Plan for Accepting 100,000 Foreign Students," which aims at accepting 100,000 foreign students in the early stage of the 21st Century, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has been comprehensively promoting various measures to accept foreign students in a systematic process from before they come to Japan to after they leave Japan. As of May 1, 2002, the number of foreign students learning in Japan reached 95,550, and the "Plan for Accepting 100,000 Foreign Students" is expected to be achieved in 2003. Accordingly, the government is now discussing new policies concerning foreign students.

(4) The "Invitation to Foreign Youths to Assist in Language Classes" (JET Program) has been conducted to improve foreign language education in Japan and promote international exchange at the local level. In 2002, 6,273 young foreign people were invited to Japan as foreign language teaching assistants, international exchange staff and international sport friendship staff, from 38 countries around the world.

Reference 1: Responsibilities of Ministries and Agencies Involved in Youth Development Affairs (As of April 1, 2002)

Department	Responsibilities
Cabinet Office	Planning, proposal and overall coordination of matters related to the sound development of young people; communication among relevant ministries and agencies, and promotion of duties required for the above purposes Planning, proposal and overall coordination to promote the formation of a gender-equal society; promotion of the basic plan for a gender-equal society Planning, proposal and overall coordination of basic policies with a view to economic development for a safer and better public life; promotion of civil activities
National Police Agency	Prevention of juvenile delinquency (guidance and protection of delinquents), control of crimes detrimental to juvenile welfare
National Police Agency	Prevention of juvenile delinquency (guidance and protection of delinquents), control of crimes detrimental to juvenile welfare
Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications	Managing affairs related to local public entities; promotion of telecommunications and broadcasting
Ministry of Justice	Prosecution, correction, and protection of juvenile delinquents and protection of human rights
Ministry of Foreign Affairs	Promotion of cultural exchanges with foreign countries, and overseas cooperation activities by youths
Ministry of Finance	General affairs of tobacco business
Bureau of Internal Revenue	Supervising industries to manufacture and sell alcoholic beverages
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology	Engaging in tasks related to home, school and social education, encouragement of sports, and UNESCO activities Promotion of the sound development of youths (Excluding responsibilities under the Cabinet Office) Increasing understanding of science and technology
Agency for Cultural Affairs	Promotion of culture
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare	Engaging in tasks for the prohibition of minor workers, physical and mental development, health improvement, child-care, nursing, prevention of child abuse, improvement of welfare for young workers
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries	Dissemination of technology and knowledge among agricultural youth
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry	General affairs of culture-related industries
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation	Improvement of tourist and recreation areas Improvement of urban parks and green areas
Ministry of Environment	Protection, improvement and promotion of nature parks
Supreme Court	Investigation and adjudication of juvenile cases and adult criminal cases detrimental to youth welfare

(Note) The table above is excerpted from the White Paper.

Reference 2: Major Recent Policies and Programs for Youths (From January 2001)

Year/month	Major policies and programs
Jan./2001	Government reorganization: youth administration under the new system started (Jan. 6) Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture announced the "New Educational Plan for the 21st Century" (Jan. 25) "International Year of the Volunteer 2001" (Resolution by the UN General Assembly) (All year)
Feb.	Relevant ministries and agencies hold the "Committee for the Promotion of Youth Development," and agreed on the "Outline for the Promotion of Youth Development" (Feb. 28)
Apr.	"Law Amending Parts of the Juvenile Law" (2000, Law No. 142) enforced (lowered the age limit for criminal punishment, from 16 to 14) (Apr. 1) "Ministry Ordinance Amending Parts of Enforcement Regulations for the Prison Law" (2001, Ministry of Justice Ordinance, No. 30) enforced (Improving treatment of juvenile inmates and juveniles incarcerated in juvenile training schools and the understanding and cooperation from guardians about correctional education at juvenile training schools) "Law Amending Parts of the Law of National Olympic Memorial Youth Center" (2001, Law No. 27) proclaimed and enforced; (Creation of "Kids' Dream Fund") (Apr. 11) Ministry of Education proposed "Three practical actions for community child-rearing" (Apr. 6) Minister of Education called for approval from the Central Education Council on "Policies for the Promotion of Youth Voluntary Services and Experience-based Activities" and "Comprehensive Measures for Improving Physical Fitness Among Children" (Apr. 11)
June.	"Law Amending Parts of the Law for the Control and Improvement of Amusement and Entertainment Industries" proclaimed (2001, Law No. 52) (Stricter regulations of telephone clubs to be enforced in (April 1, 2002) (June 20)
July.	"National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation" opened (Japan Science and Technology Corporation) (July 9) "Law Amending Parts of the School Education Law" (2001, Law No. 105) proclaimed and enforced (Specifies the improvement of social service experiences and nature experience activities in school environments) (July 11) "Law Amending Parts of the Social Education Law" proclaimed and enforced (Newly specifies the additional task by boards of education to carry out and promote programs to provide opportunities to experience voluntary services and nature) (July 11)
Oct.	Committee for the Promotion of Youth Development amended parts of the "Outline for the Promotion of Youth Development" and agreed on the "Guideline on the Improvement of Social Environments Surrounding Youths" (Oct. 19)
Nov.	Minister of Education called for the approval from the Central Education Council on "Development of the basic plan for educational promotion" and "Desirable Stance of the Basic Education Law right for the New Age" (Nov. 26)
Dec.	"Law Concerning the Promotion of Reading Activities by Children" (2001, Law No. 154) proclaimed and enforced (Dec. 12) "2nd World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children" held in Yokohama (Dec. 17 - 20)
Jan./2002	House of Representatives established the "Special Committee for Youth Affairs" (Jan. 21)
Apr.	The complete five-day school week system started New curriculum guidelines for elementary and junior high schools introduced Ministry of Education developed the "New Child Plan" Central Education Council published an interim report "Policies for the Promotion of Voluntary Services and experience-based activities for Youths" (Apr. 18) Cabinet Office holds the "Expert Meeting on Youth Development" (Discussion started to develop a "Youth Plan" (tentative name) (Apr. 25)
May.	"International Library of Children's Literature" fully opened (May 5) "UN General Assembly Special Session on Children" opened in New York (May 8 - 10)
Jul.	Central Education Council published a report "Policies for the Promotion of Voluntary Services and experience-based activities for Youths" (Jul. 29)
Aug.	Cabinet Office decided on the "Basic Plan Concerning the Promotion of Reading Activities by Children" (Aug. 2)
Sep.	Central Education Council published a report "Comprehensive Measures for Improving Physical Fitness Among Children" (Sep. 30)
Oct.	Committee for the Promotion of Youth Development finally amended the "Outline for the Promotion of Youth Development" and agreed on the "measures to be immediately taken to protect children from being victimized by child prostitution through 'online dating sites' " (Oct. 21)
Mar. /2003	Central Education Council published a report "Desirable Stance of the Basic Education Law right and the Basic Plan for Educational Promotion for the New Age" (Mar. 20)
Apr.	Expert Meeting on Youth Development submitted a report to the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Apr. 15)

Reference 3 FY 2003 Budgets Allocated For Youth Policies

Notes:

1. Including special accounts 2. Also including items that are not registered in "Expenditures for Youth Policies" compiled by the Ministry of Finance