The issues raised in this brief overview of lifelong learning in Japan illustrate the rather remarkable extent to which Japan has embraced the idea of lifelong learning. Stretching back to the late 1940s, Japan has made impressive strides toward its goal of becoming a lifelong learning society. The idea of lifelong learning is now well understood and increasingly embraced within Japanese society. Its importance is shared and explicitly supported by government at all levels. Considering the future of lifelong learning in Japan, it is clear that there are both old and new challenges which need to be addressed, particularly with regard to changing demographics, economic development, and maintaining a sense of community in a society that is increasingly becoming more individualistic (Wilson, 2001). However, there is little doubt that Japan will continue its impressive progress toward becoming a lifelong learning society in which all its people can participate in learning opportunities any time during their lives.