Shared, Different, and Coexisting: The Historical Evolution and Contemporary Features of Intercultural Education in Japan

Cultural diversity based on the differences of human cultures has always been a matter of concern in education in Japan. Japanese cross-cultural education, shaped by historical and societal factors, has addressed various issues, focusing on children and adolescents from with, ethnic, class, and regional backgrounds in different countries, and has undergone three distinct stages: the "nascent stage, " "scaling and systematization, " and "multicultural coexistence and diffusion." After entering the 21st century, cross-cultural education in Japan has shifted its emphasis to difference from international understanding education. It now focuses on an expanded scope of research, encompassing not only physical and mental development but also cultural exchanges, has been explored the importance of the "mobile" phenomenon, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era, and thus established the unique value of cross-cultural education and led to the formulation of a comprehensive modern cross-cultural education system.