The Ministry of Education was established in 1871 as a central education administrative office. In 1949 the Law to Establish the Ministry of Education was enacted, since then the Ministry implemented a wide range of measures as an administrative agency in charge of education, science, sports and culture.

On the other hand, the Science and Technology Agency was established in 1956 as an extra bureau of the former Prime Minister's office, and carried out comprehensive measures to promote science and technology in Japan.

With the reorganization of central government ministries and agencies in January 2001, the Ministry of Education and the Science and Technology Agency were integrated and relaunched as the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and is currently promoting education, science and technology, sports, and culture in an integrated manner.