MEXT

MEXT stands for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, a cabinet-level ministry of the Government of Japan. It is responsible for national policy and administration in education from preschool through higher education, as well as culture, sports, science and technology, and international cooperation in these areas. It was established in 2001 as part of a government reform that merged the former Monbu-shō (Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports) with the Science and Technology Agency. Its Japanese name is Monbukagakushō (文部科学省).

Organization and functions: MEXT is structured into bureaux covering education, culture, sports, and science and technology, and supervises several independent administrative agencies and public organizations, including the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and the National Institute for Educational Policy Research (NIER). It also oversees cultural affairs, museums and libraries, and sports promotion, and coordinates international educational and cultural exchange.

Policy outcomes and programs: The ministry sets national curricula and standards, determines teacher licensing requirements, and funds education from primary to tertiary levels. It administers scholarships and student support programs, including the government-sponsored MEXT Scholarship for international students and researchers. It promotes higher education reform, science and technology development, and cultural heritage preservation, as well as international cooperation in these fields.

Administration and public role: As a major ministry, MEXT shapes education policy, research funding, cultural policy, and sport initiatives, balancing national standards with local education administration. It works with local governments, universities, and international partners to advance its objectives and address demographic and economic challenges.