Japan Drafts Guidelines Making Combined Print-Digital Textbooks the Standard

According to sources close to the matter, Japan's Ministry of Education has drafted a set of guidelines aimed at making textbooks that combine print and digital editions the standard from the 2030 academic year.

Under the draft, printed textbooks will retain their central role in teaching and learning, while digital content is positioned in a supporting capacity. The approach is intended to draw on the strengths of both formats rather than a complete shift to electronic textbooks.

The ministry plans to finalize the guidelines after consulting on the proposal and to roll them out along a timetable leading up to the 2030 academic year, when combined textbooks are to be regarded as the norm in the compulsory education system.