Information on promotion of children's reading activities in Japan
Laws and plans concerning promotion of children's reading activities in Japan
last update: 2025.7.7
| Date | Major Movements in Japan |
|---|---|
| March 28, 2023 | Fifth Basic Plan Concerning the Promotion of Reading Activities by Children approved at a Cabinet Meeting |
| March 30, 2021 | Basic Plan for the International Library of Children's Literature 2021-2025 formulated |
| May 17, 2019 | Support plan for the promotion of children's reading activities 2015 was revised and extended to 2020 |
| April 20, 2018 | Fourth Basic Plan Concerning the Promotion of Reading Activities by Children approved at a Cabinet Meeting |
| March 27, 2015 | Support plan for the promotion of children's reading activities 2015 formulated |
| June 27, 2014 | School Library Law amended (Act No. 93 of 2014) |
| May 17, 2013 | Third Basic Plan Concerning the Promotion of Reading Activities by Children approved at a Cabinet Meeting |
| March 29, 2011 | Second Basic Plan for the International Library of Children's Literature formulated |
| September 1, 2010 | Support plan for the promotion of children's reading activities 2010 formulated |
| 2010 | National Year of Reading |
| November 18, 2008 | Kokumin Dokushonen Suishin Kaigi（Conference on Promotion of National Year of Reading) inaugurated |
| Jully 1, 2008 | Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education approved at a Cabinet Meeting |
| June 18, 2008 | Act on Promotion of Distribution of Specified Books, etc. Used as Textbooks for Disabled Children and Students (Act No. 81 of 2008) promulgated |
| June 11, 2008 | Library Act amended (Act No. 59 of 2008) |
| June 6, 2008 | Both Houses of the Diet adopted resolutions on National Year of Reading |
| March 2008 | Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) announced the new Courses of Study. |
| March 11, 2008 | Second Basic Plan Concerning the Promotion of Reading Activities by Children approved at a Cabinet Meeting. |
| July 2007 | Special division on Japanese language of the Central Council for Education mentioned reading activities as an important item to teach in Japanese language education. |
| June 27, 2007 | School Education Act, Act on the Organization and Operation of Local Educational Administration, Education Personnel Certification Act, and Special Act for Education Personnel revised |
| February 2007 | Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) established a new five-year plan for school library development. |
| December 22, 2006 | Basic Act on Education revised (Act No. 120 of 2006) |
| April 2006 | National Institution For Youth Education established |
| July 29, 2005 | Act on Promotion of Character-and Type-culture (Act No. 91 of 2005) promulgated and enacted |
| March 2005 | Report of the Board of Inquiry on Expansion of Library Services of the International Library of Children's Literature submitted |
| September 2004 | Board of Inquiry on Expansion of Library Services of the International Library of Children's Literature inaugurated |
| February 2004 | Report of the Council for Cultural Affairs "Japanese-language proficiency required in future ages" submitted |
| April 2003 | Zenkoku Dokusho Festival (All-Japan Reading Festival) first held |
| January 2003 | Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) issued an announcement about appointment of teacher-librarians. |
| August 2002 | Nihon Chugoku Kankoku Kodomo Dowa Koryu (Exchange Program of Children in Japan, China and Korea Featuring Children's Stories) first held. |
| August 2002 | Basic Plan for the Promotion of Reading Activities for Children approved at a Cabinet Meeting |
| May 5, 2002 | International Library of Children's Literature fully opened |
| April 2002 | Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) established a five-year plan for school library development. |
| December 12, 2001 | Act on Promotion of Children's Reading (Act No. 154 of 2001) promulgated and enacted |
| April 2001 | Bookstart Shien Center (Bookstart Support Center) established. |
| May 5, 2000 | International Library of Children's Literature partially opened |
| January 2000 | International Library of Children's Literature established |
| 2000 | National Year of Reading for Children |
| June 11, 1997 | Japan School Library Association designated June 11 as School Library Day. |
| June 11, 1997 | Part of School Library Law amended, promulgated and enacted. |
| 1996 | Gakko Toshokan Seibi Suishin Kaigi（Conference on Promotion of the Development of School Libraries) inaugurated |
| 1993 | Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) set up a five-year plan for school library development. |
| March 29, 1993 | Ministry of Education (now MEXT) announced standard collection sizes for public school libraries. |
| May 22, 1991 | Japan School Library Association adopted Gakko Toshokan Kensho (School Library Charter). |
| 1974 | Japanese Board on Books for Young People (JBBY) established |
| November 1959 | Dokusho Suishin Undou Kyogikai (Council for the Promotion of Book Reading) established |
| May 1959 | Book Reading Week for Children first held |
| August 8, 1953 | School Library Act (Act No. 185 of 1953) enacted |
| April 30, 1950 | Library Act (Act No. 118 of 1950) enacted |
| February 1950 | Japan School Library Association formed |
| November 1947 | The first Book Reading Week held |
| March 31, 1947 | School Education Act (Act No. 26 of 1947) enacted |
| March 31, 1947 | Basic Act on Education (Act No. 25 of 1947) enacted |