Department of Research Planning and Development

The Department of Research Planning and Development is in charge of planning and coordinating NIER activities as a whole, including research and projects, as well promoting cooperative partnerships with research institutions in Japan, particularly local educational research institutes and education centers.

Office for Educational Resources Research Promotion The Office pursues survey research to achieve a fully function of educational information system, and for further role of educational library. Moreover, the Office operates an educational information sharing site called "CONTET (Contents of Education for Teachers)" and manages educational assets in the library.

Department for Educational Policy and Evaluation Research

The Department for Educational Policy and Evaluation Research conducts positive and international comparative research and studies as the basis for the planning, implementation and evaluation of Japan's national educational policies in accordance with the historical development and future perspectives of educational policies. It includes policymaking and evaluating education, school related regulations and administrative/financial policies for education.

Department for Lifelong Learning Policy Research

The Department for Lifelong Learning Policy Research carries out basic research to identify awareness of and needs for education in Japan as well as knowledge and skill levels of adults, research/development studies concerning effective learning in relation to issues in the modern world, preparation for OECD's new competency survey for adults and international comparative studies on lifelong learning policies.

Department for Elementary and Secondary Education Research

The aim of the Department for Elementary and Secondary Education Research is to study basic matters concerning elementary and secondary education in Japan. Recent years have seen the promotion of, research and studies for the improvement of teaching ability, research on school sizes, and assessments of teaching methods and educational evaluation.

Department for Higher Education Research

The Department for Higher Education Research is involved in research contributing to the planning of higher education policies and improvement of university education and aims to conduct surveys and research on basic matters concerning higher education policies. The department also holds workshops open to the public in order to build a network between universities, research institutes and the government.

Department for International Research and Co-operation

The Department for International Research and Co-operation is in charge of the implementation of international cooperation related to education with international organizations such as OECD, UNESCO, APEC and IEA, as well as international comparative studies in cooperation with other departments and centers, and liaison between international and domestic organizations. At the request of MEXT, various international comparative studies are also conducted to consider issues related to policy making.

Curriculum Research Center

The Curriculum Research Center is responsible for(1) surveys and research on basic matters concerning national policies on elementary and secondary school curriculums, (2) liaison and research with research institutions, universities and other related organizations in Japan. and (3) support and consultation for educational institutions and other parties in japan concerned with elementary and secondary school curriculums.

Guidance and Counseling Research Center

The Guidance and Counseling Research Center is responsible for (1) surveys and research on basic matters concerning national policies for student / career guidance and counseling in elementary and secondary schools, (2) liaison/cooperation with research institutions, universities and other related organizations and (3) support and consultation for educational institutions and other parties in Japan concerned with student / career guidance and counseling in elementary and secondary schools.

Early Childhood Education Research Center

With the increased recognition of the importance of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), the Early Childhood Education Research Center (ECERC) was established in April 2016. As the national ECEC research study hub in Japan, the ECERC has three primary responsibilities: (i) promotion of ECEC research and survey; (ii) building of a research network with domestic and international institutes, the local governments, and various ECEC organizations; (iii) dissemination of research findings and other relevant research information to local governments and various levels of ECEC stakeholders.

Practical Social Education Research Center

The Practical Social Education Research Center carries out nationwide surveys on the actual situation of social education activities, practical surveys and research to improve the quality of social education programs, and surveys and research on improving teacher training, as well as the quality of teaching, in social education. The center also holds exchange programs and seminars on research in various social education issues.

Educational Facilities Research Center

The Educational Facilities Research Center conducts technical surveys and research on making educational facilities more earthquake-resistant, eco-friendly and secure. The representatives of the center also participate in OECD's CELE (Centre for Effective Learning Environments) to exchanage information with parties concerned with school facilities from various countries. In cooperation with research institutes at home and abroad, the center organizes an international symposium on Eco-School or PFI to disclose the results of studies.