The Ministry of Education said on the 3rd it will revise the Framework Act on Education to require the state and local governments to provide compulsory reading education for students. With student reading rates continuing to fall and concerns growing over weakening literacy, the government is moving to draw up measures.
That day, the Ministry of Education announced a "plan to promote school reading education." According to a recent announcement by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the "overall reading rate"—the share of students who read or listened to at least one paper book, e-book, or audiobook in 2025, excluding textbooks, study guides, and test prep books—fell from 95.8% in 2024 to 94.6% last year. This rate continues to decline.
The Ministry of Education will revise the Framework Act on Education to specify "improving literacy through reading education" as a responsibility of the state and local governments. The Framework Act on Education sets out the basic principles of education.
Starting next year, the 3rd–4th grades of elementary school and the 1st year of middle and high school will be designated as "intensive reading education grades." Elementary students uninterested in reading will receive tailored programs. For middle school students, support will be expanded for student clubs focused on discussion and writing. High school students will take part in online "career-reading mentoring," exploring career paths by reading books in their fields of interest.