Special Needs Education and Japanese Education System Toward an Inclusive Society:

Embracing Diversity and Lifelong Development

Abstract

  Trends in research on special education are influenced by society and the legal system. Many studies have investigated the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which has gained importance and spread rapidly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, many studies have examined subject instruction, regardless of the type of disability, based on the direction of the current Japanese Curriculum Guidelines. As Japanese society moves toward inclusivity and embraces diversity, research on inclusive and universally designed education is on the rise. The implementation of special education resource rooms in high schools, along with the mandatory provision of reasonable accommodations, signifies a shift beyond compulsory education, extending support to high schools and universities. This marks significant progress in fostering lifelong development. In December 2022, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan published the "Survey of Students with Special Needs Enrolled in Regular Classes" and the revised "Student Guidance Guidelines," which are anticipated to have a major impact on the future direction of special education.