ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the philosophy and history of Japanese outdoor education along with the current status of outdoor leadership training systems, practices, and research. Outdoor studies in Japan include the overlapping ideas of wilderness education, outdoor education, and adventure education and organised camping. The traditional view of nature in Japan is known as monism, which recognises the unity of all organisms including nature and human beings. In the 1990s, Japanese environmental education became active with the establishment of the Japan Environmental Education Forum. Japanese outdoor education attracted attention again in the 1990s because of educational reform that emphasised alternative forms of education. School camping is the largest component of Japanese outdoor practice. Outdoor leadership is usually included in the human and social science pillar, emphasising education, psychology and sport management. Professional training of outdoor leaders has historically occurred in physical education and sport programmes in universities. Outdoor studies in Japan are spread over multiple disciplines.
