Since the 1970s, the Japanese government has gradually reduced the amount of class time and the contents given in the guideline, and this tendency is called yutori education.
The main purpose was to reduce education stress and to introduce relaxed classes called Rest Periods (ゆとりの時間, Yutori no jikan).
[citation needed] In 1984, during the time of Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, the Special Council for Education (臨時教育審議会, Rinji Kyōiku Shingikai) was established as a consultative body.
[citation needed] From 1992, schools closed on the second Saturday of every month to increase student spare time in accordance with the teaching guidelines.
"The ability to survive" is defined as a principle that tries to keep the balance of intellectual, moral, and physical education.
30% of the curriculum was cut and "time for integrated study" in elementary and junior high school was established.