No doubt everyone has other things on their mind after the election, but I was interested to see the interview with Education Minister Shimomura in the Yomiuri (English edition) on 13 July, for two reasons. First, it was very interesting to see him apparently seriously proposing to introduce English as a proper subject in elementary school with about three hours a week from years 3 and 4. (At last! At least 30 years too late, if it actually happens, but better late than never, I
guess.) Second is the statement that the middle years of elementary school are the right time because China and South Korea start English about this time. This seems to indicate very clearly where Japan's (or at least Shimomura's) attention is at present as far as educational models are concerned.
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000363909

Peter Cave
Lecturer in Japanese Studies
SALC, University of Manchester