On 5 October 2021, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) held the first meeting of the panel of experts on the survey of students with special educational needs in regular classes.

The purpose of this survey is to clarify the actual situation of students with probable developmental disabilities who are enrolled in regular classes and assess the support they are getting in terms of  special education, and to provide fundamental data for future support programs.

The survey shall be conducted in January and February 2022 and will be compiled, analyzed, and published by December of the same year.

The survey will use the stratified three-stage probability proportional sampling method for 600 schools selected from Japan's public elementary, lower, and upper secondary schools, with a sample of 10 students (5 boys and 5 girls) per grade in the elementary and lower secondary schools, and 20 students (10 boys and 10 girls) per grade in the upper secondary schools.

In principle, the questionnaire items will be the same as those used in the 2012 survey. In particular, the questionnaire items under "learning aspect" of "I. Difficulties faced by students" and new questionnaire items will be finalized after deliberation by the expert panel.

The class teacher of the subject student will fill out the survey. After confirmation by either the special needs education coordinator or the vice-principal, the survey will be submitted with the school principal's approval. If the class teacher is unsure about the findings, they may consult with the school committee or the principal.

For more information, please visit the website below.
https://www.mext.go.jp/kaigisiryo/2021/mext_00275.html