Social education in Japan is discussed as to: (1) the problems in social education for each life stage as a result of social change; (2) the present situation and direction future efforts should take with respect to the content, methods, organizations, facilities, and leaders of social education; and (3) the role and major problems of social education administration. As a result of the study, it was found that social education is confronted with various new problems due to such social changes as progress in industrialization, the increase in middle- and old-aged population, the concentration of the population in urban areas, the growing tendency toward the nuclearization of the family, the increase in the educational standard, etc. Roles and problems that social education should deal with in the future are said to be the following: (1) broadening the concept of Social Education; (2) systematization of Social Education from the viewpoint of life-long education; (3) improvement of educational content and methods for meeting the variety of demands; (4) promotion of organized activities and voluntary activities; and (5) increased emphasis on Social Education administration. Annex I, Statistical Data, provides, in tables, data concerning social changes; content of learning, learning activities, etc.; social education facilities; personnel (including professional staff) in social education; and social education expenditures. Annex II lists social education facilities and personnel. (For related document, see AC 014 002.) (DB)