The Japanese Ministry of Education has proposed new changes to the national high school curriculum, intending to focus more heavily on novels in language studies. This move brings a shift from the current model, which leans towards contemporary articles and essays. The change results from evaluations highlighting students' need for a deeper understanding of cultural heritage and linguistic nuances embodied in classic literature. The process and timeline for the transition are yet to be confirmed.

In Japan, the national educational curriculum is a matter of significant importance and often a subject of debate among educators, parents, and policymakers. There is a strong belief that the school curriculum should reflect the cultural heritage of the country and build essential skills for lifelong learning. The shift back to novel-focused language study signifies a cultural and academic value placed on classical literature in shaping youth identity and cognitive growth.

In contrast, US or EU educational policies give individual states or countries more flexibility in establishing their curriculum. The emphasis on particular genres or types of writing varies across regions. Like Japan, however, there's a growing trend to revisit classic literature to foster critical thinking and cultural awareness among students.