1.
education and science (government portfolio)
A combining form used in the names of Japan's education-and-science ministry and its minister: 文部科学省 (MEXT) and 文部科学大臣 (Minister of Education). Almost never used alone.
A fixed combining element formed from 文部 (literary/educational affairs) + 科学 (science). It is not used on its own — only as a prefix in fixed ministry-related compounds.
Compounds
- 文部科学省: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- 文部科学大臣: Minister of Education
- 文部科学省告示: MEXT public notice
Cultural note
Formed in 2001 when the former Ministry of Education (文部省) merged with the Science and Technology Agency. The merged portfolio covers schools, universities, sports, culture, and science policy.