Japan's draft guideline: digital textbooks from 2030 to be paper-centred hybrids
In short
On 22 October the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology presented a draft ministerial guideline to an expert panel. It makes a hybrid of paper and digital the basic form of textbooks for all grades and subjects from fiscal 2030, with paper at the centre. Fully digital textbooks would not be allowed for elementary grade 4 and below, and from grade 5 up only for certain subjects such as English and practical subjects.
Read the full story 2 min read
On 22 October the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology presented a draft ministerial guideline to an expert panel on digital textbooks, according to Nikkei, Tokyo Shimbun, Sankei, Mainichi and Yomiuri. The draft makes a hybrid textbook combining paper and digital the basic form for all grades and subjects from fiscal 2030. Fully digital textbooks would not be allowed for elementary grade 4 and below, and from grade 5 up would be limited to certain subjects. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 11 , 12 ]
On composition, the draft says hybrid textbooks should be mainly paper from grade 5 up. For grade 4 and below they should be 'generally paper', with digital parts more limited, according to Nikkei, Sankei and Yomiuri. Sankei said that in main subjects digital is to be built in as supplementary and complementary. Fully digital textbooks would be allowed from grade 5 for English and practical subjects such as music and art, and in those subjects a hybrid may be mainly digital, Tokyo Shimbun, Nikkei, Sankei and Yomiuri reported. Yomiuri said junior high and high school follow the same treatment as grade 5 and up. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 12 ]
Nikkei reported that points had been raised that digital material carries a large amount of information and could burden pupils whose cognitive function and concentration are still developing. Sankei and Nippon TV also cited cognitive development in explaining why fully digital textbooks are not allowed for grade 4 and below. Nikkei said the draft expects audio and video to deepen understanding in English, music and art. Sankei said the draft stresses handwriting, with pupils consolidating learning by summarising in notebooks. Nikkei added that the draft says it must not happen that a hybrid textbook's paper part is used and its digital part is not. [ 3 , 6 , 9 ]
The revised School Education Act, enacted in June, makes digital textbooks formal textbooks. From fiscal 2030 textbooks can take three forms: paper only, digital only and hybrid. Nikkei said formal textbooks become subject to national screening, free provision and an obligation to use them, whereas the digital textbooks the state now distributes are positioned as 'substitute materials'. TBS reported on 21 October, citing people involved, that the ministry had compiled the draft. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 12 ]
Sankei reported that the panel broadly agreed to the draft, which will be slightly revised and submitted to the education minister, with the guideline to be decided within the year. Nikkei said the guideline is expected to be drawn up within the year after a public comment period. Yomiuri said the draft largely completes the overall picture of the new textbooks, together with textbook screening rules to be revised next spring. Mynavi reported that the ministry plans to examine learning effects and health impacts after introduction and to revise the approach if needed. [ 3 , 6 , 12 , 14 ]
Why it matters
The guideline is meant to serve as a benchmark for textbook publishers and for the education boards that choose textbooks, so it shapes what the new textbooks look like. Yomiuri reported that with the draft published, the overall picture of the new textbooks has largely been settled and production begins in earnest.
Key facts
- On 22 October the ministry showed a draft ministerial guideline to an expert panel, making the paper-and-digital hybrid the basic form for all grades and subjects. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 14 ]
- Fully digital textbooks would not be allowed for elementary grade 4 and below. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 14 ]
- From grade 5 up, fully digital textbooks would be limited to subjects such as English and practical subjects like music and art. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 11 , 12 ]
- Hybrid textbooks would be mainly paper from grade 5 up, and 'generally paper' with more limited digital use for grade 4 and below. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 12 ]
- A revised School Education Act, enacted in June, makes digital textbooks formal textbooks, allowing paper-only, digital-only and hybrid forms from fiscal 2030. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 9 , 12 ]
- The guideline is expected to be finalised within the year. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The ministry's draft makes the paper-and-digital hybrid the basic form of textbooks for all grades and subjects from fiscal 2030. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 14 ]
- The draft does not allow fully digital textbooks for elementary grade 4 and below. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 14 ]
- From grade 5 up, fully digital textbooks would be limited to certain subjects, including English and practical subjects such as music and art. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 11 , 12 ]
- Hybrid textbooks would be mainly paper from grade 5 up and 'generally paper' for grade 4 and below, with digital use more limited for the youngest pupils. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 12 ]
- A revised School Education Act enacted in June makes digital textbooks formal textbooks, giving three forms: paper only, digital only and hybrid. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 9 , 12 , 14 ]
Still unclear
- Exactly which subjects may use fully digital textbooks from grade 5 up. Outlets list them differently: Mainichi names foreign languages, music and arts and crafts, plus junior high music and art; Mynavi also lists information; Sankei says part of the practical subjects.
- Whether the expert panel approved the draft. Only Sankei reported that the panel broadly agreed; it said the draft would be slightly revised before going to the minister.
- The timetable for production, screening and adoption. Only Nikkei gave it: production from around fiscal 2027, screening in 2028, adoption in 2029, with introduction in elementary schools in 2030, junior high in 2031 and high school in 2032.
- Details of the video limits in the new screening rules. Only Yomiuri reported a limit of about three minutes per video and 20 to 90 minutes per textbook.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On 21 October TBS reported, citing people involved, that the ministry had compiled the draft and would show it to the expert panel the next day. [ 1 ]
- On 22 October Nikkei reported that the ministry had held the review meeting and presented the draft. [ 3 ]
- Sankei reported that the panel had broadly agreed to the draft. [ 6 ]
- NHK published its report on the draft guideline. [ 10 ]
- Yomiuri reported that the ministry had published the draft. [ 12 ]