Japan Plans to Switch to Digital Textbooks by 2030

A year ago, the media buzzed with the news that Japan — one of the most innovative and technologically advanced countries in the world — had opened the first-ever school based entirely on virtual reality. More recently, another hot topic has emerged: the Japanese government announced its intention to make digital textbooks the standard in education, giving schools the option to fully transition to online learning.

First Steps: Digital Textbooks Since 2019

Digital textbooks first appeared in Japanese classrooms in 2019, but only as supplements to traditional paper-based materials. They have not been officially recognized, and thus, most are not subject to government screening or approval.

Context: Classrooms in the Metaverse

In April 2024, Yushi International High School, located in Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan, launched a metaverse-based curriculum, allowing students to attend lessons through VR headsets and 3D avatars. This made the school the first in the world to operate entirely in a virtual environment.

The new virtual program is a three-year, government-accredited high school course. Upon completion, students receive a diploma that meets the standards set by Japan’s Ministry of Education.

Students are provided with free VR headsets during their studies — courtesy of AOMINEXT, the company that developed the virtual platform based on its “Planeta” system. Students can attend classes online, participate in school events, and interact in virtual classrooms. The platform also allows full avatar customization, helping students feel comfortable and reducing anxieties about their real-world appearance.

Why Are VR Schools Needed?

One of the driving forces behind this innovation was alarming statistics: in the academic year ending March 2024, a record 415,252 students in elementary, junior high, and high schools were classified as "truant." Truant students are defined as those who miss more than 30 days of school in a year for reasons unrelated to illness or financial hardship — including bullying, social isolation, or general lack of motivation.

The primary goal of the metaverse school is to offer an alternative model of education, where all students — especially those struggling in traditional school environments — feel socially included and motivated to learn.

Japan’s Push Toward Digital Learning

The first digital textbooks appeared in Japanese classrooms back in 2019, but only as a supplement to traditional paper-based materials. Today, Japan is making digital education one of its priorities: starting from the 2030 academic year, the use of digital textbooks is expected to become the norm. Schools will be able to choose one of three formats: fully digital, traditional (offline), or a hybrid model of education.

Key benefits of digital education include:

• Personalized learning: Digital platforms allow materials to be tailored to each student’s needs and promote interactive, collaborative learning.
• Reduced physical burden: Replacing heavy paper textbooks with digital devices can lighten students’ backpacks — which currently weigh an average of 4.28 kg.
• Digital literacy: This model helps students develop essential modern skills for future careers, such as the ability to critically assess information online.

Proponents of digital learning also emphasize the value of multimedia tools for better content comprehension and support for students with visual impairments or special educational needs.

However, critics urge caution. They argue that digital tools may reduce concentration, especially among younger children. Moreover, large-scale implementation requires extensive teacher training and significant financial investment — which could exacerbate educational inequality between regions.