Japan to expand use of generative AI in schools under new guidelines

Dec 24 (NHK) - An expert panel of Japan's education ministry has put together new draft guidelines for expanding the use of generative artificial intelligence at schools.

The new draft agreed on Friday is an updated version of the provisional guidelines the ministry published in July last year.

The provisional guidelines stressed the importance of nurturing children's ability to use generative AI.

But the ministry has been limiting AI in schools out of concerns about the impact on children's creativity and the spread of disinformation. Only some pilot schools and a few other facilities have adopted the technology on a trial basis.

The new draft guidelines state that generative AI can be beneficial depending on how it is used.

The document presents concrete examples of how students and their teachers can use AI.

The draft recommends that teachers give examples of incorrect AI-generated answers to show the limitations of the technology. It also says generative AI could be an English conversation partner for students.

On the other hand, the draft says careful consideration is needed when AI technology is used by elementary school students.

The education ministry plans to publish the new guidelines by the end of the year. It says it will offer training sessions for education boards and teachers to promote the use of AI in schools.

Typhoon No. 26 Brings Heavy Rain and Strong Winds to Okinawa

Typhoon No. 26 was located over the Bashi Channel as of 9 a.m. on November 12th, moving north at a speed of about 10 kilometers per hour. Moist air from the storm is feeding into a stationary front near Okinawa, leading to the development of rain clouds and prompting warnings for heavy rainfall in Okinawa and the Amami region.

Mother of 12-Year-Old Thai Girl Caught In Prostitution Gets Arrest Warrant

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for the mother of a 12-year-old Thai girl who was illegally employed at a massage parlor in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, on suspicion of violating the Child Welfare Act.

Suica Penguin to Retire in 2026

JR East announced on November 11th that it will retire the beloved Suica penguin mascot at the end of fiscal 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the Suica transportation IC card service, and will introduce a new character from fiscal 2027.

Bear Attacks Car in Hokkaido

A series of bear encounters across Japan is causing growing alarm, with several prefectures reporting aggressive behavior and issuing emergency shooting orders. In one incident last week in Hokkaido, a bear charged at a car and growled as it pursued the vehicle, forcing the driver to reverse to escape, with claw marks later found on the hood.

Japan Mulls Vouchers to Ease High Food Prices

The government is moving to include the use of “okome-ken,” or rice vouchers, in its upcoming package of economic measures. The vouchers can be used to purchase rice and other food items and have already been distributed by several municipalities as part of local initiatives to offset rising living costs.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

From Rock Bottom to Farming

After a painful divorce that nearly tore his family apart, Kenji Kataoka quit his stable job and began a new life as a sweet potato farmer in Kōka, Shiga Prefecture. The single father has spent the past two years working the fields while caring for his teenage son, Sōshi, who stopped attending school in elementary years. As the family faces its second harvest season, small changes begin to appear in their lives.

Japan’s Largest Shogi Tournament for Children Draws 2,500 in Osaka

Japan’s largest shogi tournament for children in elementary school and younger was held in Osaka on November 9th.

Japanese Lacquer Faces Crisis as Production Declines

A shortage of domestically produced lacquer, essential for restoring Japan’s cultural properties, has reached a critical point. For centuries, lacquer—or urushi—has been integral to traditional crafts and national treasures, but production has fallen sharply.

Mass Food Poisoning Strikes High School Dormitory in Hokkaido

A mass food poisoning incident has been confirmed at a high school dormitory in Shiraoi, a town in Hokkaido’s Iburi region, where 63 students suffered symptoms such as diarrhea and stomach pain after eating meals prepared at the facility.

Japan Helps Bring the World’s Largest Egyptian Museum to Life

The Grand Egyptian Museum, which opened on November 1st near the Giza Pyramids outside Cairo, marks one of Egypt’s most ambitious cultural projects in decades—built with extensive Japanese financial and technical support totaling about 84.2 billion yen in yen loans.

FamilyMart Introduces Online Sign Language Interpreting

FamilyMart has introduced an online sign language interpreting service ahead of the first-ever Deaflympics to be held in Japan.

Calculating Risk and Responsibility: The Life of an Actuary

In the 18th installment of the series “Paths for Science Students,” Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Bank’s Eguchi offered a detailed look into the little-known but vital world of actuaries—professionals who apply mathematics, probability, and statistics to assess financial risks in pensions and insurance.

Japan to Introduce Free High School Education Next Year

The Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and Komeito have reached an agreement on the framework for Japan’s new free high school tuition program, which will begin in fiscal 2026. Under the plan, tuition support for private full-time high schools will be capped at 457,000 yen, while correspondence courses will have an upper limit of 337,000 yen.

< 2 3 4 5 >