Adult Learning and Higher Education

Abstract

　 In Japan, adult learning has been considered the most distant from higher education. One of the reasons for this notion was that adult learning was viewed as mere leisure learning for the elderly people with extra time. However, a major reason was identified from the perspective of institution of higher education. Universities and other institutions of higher education in Japan have traditionally lacked the structure and function to fully meet the learning needs of such adults. From an international perspective, traditional institutions of higher education in Japan were extremely closed systems for adult learners. In recent years, however, the view of society about adult or lifelong learning has changed in various ways. In addition, the socioeconomic and technological environment surrounding institutions of higher education has significantly changed. Notably, Japanese higher education, which was traditionally closed to adult learners, is becoming increasingly open to adult learners. Thus, this study focuses on the relationship between adult learning and higher education and follows recent trends as well.