This paper outlines the development of lifelong learning in Japan, tracing its origins to UNESCO and OECD concepts from the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Japanese government did not implement concrete lifelong learning policies until the late 1980s, driven by societal and economic changes and issues like the intense competition in university entrance exams. Key steps include the establishment of the Lifelong Learning Bureau in 1988 and the enactment of the Lifelong Learning Promotion Law in 1990. A notable initiative began in 1979 in Kakegawa, Shizuoka, with Junichi Shinmura’s leadership. This rural city created a Lifelong Learning Centre and a Lifelong Learning Village, integrating various community resources. Kakegawa’s success inspired other municipalities, leading to a growth in the number of Lifelong Learning Cities across Japan. By October 2018, 82 municipalities had adopted Lifelong Learning Municipality Declarations. The national Council of Lifelong Learning Municipalities was founded in 1999, with Kakegawa’s mayor as the first president. The council aimed to promote community development through lifelong learning, but its membership has declined over the years. In recent times, there has been a shift from top-down approaches to citizen-driven initiatives. Examples include Okayama’s UNESCO Learning City Award for its Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) practices and municipalities in the northeast focusing on disaster prevention education. These grassroots movements emphasise the role of nonformal education and community involvement in fostering lifelong learning. This paper highlights the evolution of lifelong learning policies in Japan, illustrating both governmental and citizen-led efforts in creating educational communities that address local needs and challenges.