Critical Thinking in Japanese Education?

Looks like the Ministry of Education (MEXT) in Japan is trying to overhaul Kokugo Kyoiku (literally, National Language Education).

According to Asashi Shinbun, MEXT is going to move away from the traditional four-skills pedagogy that emphasizes the learning of "grammar" through vocabulary, syntax, and style as well as the interpretation of literary text.

The new direction is the one that emphasizes "logical thinking" through proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing in various "modes" of discourse--dialogue, report, summary, and explanation.