ABSTRACT
The internationalization of education is one of the major issues in the field of contemporary Japanese education. In the reports published by the National Council of Educational Reform (Rinkyōshin), for example, measures to cope with the internationalization of society are listed as one of the top eight major issues. The council recommendations appearing in the fourth and final report include
educational measures for Japanese children living abroad;
improving the procedures for accepting foreign students;
reviewing foreign language education;
improving Japanese language teaching facilities for foreign students;
restructuring the Japanese higher education system from an international perspective; and
establishing a clear identity as a Japanese and regarding oneself in relative terms. 1
