Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan)

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Office building of MEXT

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (文部科学省, Monbu-kagakushō^?), also known as MEXT or Monkashō, is one of the ministries of the Japanese government.

The Meiji government created the first Ministry of Education in 1871.^[1]

The Japanese government centralizes education, and it is managed by a state bureaucracy that regulates almost every aspect of the education process. The School Education Law requires schools around the country to use textbooks that follow the curriculum guideline set by the ministry, though there are some exceptions.

In January 2001, the former Monbushō and the former Science and Technology Agency (科学技術庁, Kagaku-Gijutsuchō^?) merged to become the present MEXT.

MEXT is led by a minister, who is a member of the Cabinet and is chosen by the Prime Minister, typically from the members of the Diet. The post is currently held by Ryu Shionoya.

MEXT is one of three ministries that run the JET Programme. It also offers the prestigious Monbukagakusho Scholarship, also known as the MEXT or Monkashō scholarship.

[edit] Romanization

The Ministry sets standards for the romanization of Japanese. Kunrei-shiki romanization is widely taught in Japanese primary schools, so it has been called the Monbushō system after the predecessor of MEXT.