일본 식생활교육정책(食育政策)의 현황 분석

Current Status of Japanese Policy on Dietary Education

The Basic Law on Food Education (Shokuiku) was enacted in Japan in 2005. The Basic Law defines “Food Education” as acquisition of knowledge about food and nutrition as well as the ability to make appropriate food choices based on experiences related to food, in order to practice a healthy diet. The law stipulates that food education be encouraged through formulation and implementation of the Basic Plan for promoting food education. This study examines the background of enactment of Basic Law on Food Education, and analyzes the first (2006–2010), the second (2011–2015), and the third (2016–2020) Basic Plans for promoting food education. Information was obtained from the homepages of the concerned government offices, such as the Cabinet Office’s Food Safety Commission, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. The Basic Plan had four elements: fundamental policies, objectives, comprehensive measures for promoting food education, and other requirements for comprehensive and consistent implementation of the plan. The Basic Law on Food Education stipulates the responsibilities and duties of the national government, local governments, educators, farmers and fishermen, food-related business groups, and the Japanese public. The most important factors are the consistency and effectiveness of the policies in the Basic Plans. In order to promote dietary education as a national movement, it is necessary for government and local public organizations to set a common goal and cooperate to achieve it. The nutritional and health statuses of people can be improved by practicing healthy eating habits through steadily effective dietary education policies. Our study is expected to be used as reference for dietary education policy in Korea.