This booklet contains the report of the Educational Media Sub-Committee (Japan) on a new way of distributing a media-based learning system in regional communities. Highlights of the report include: (1) new movements in the utilization of educational media, including basic tendencies in the establishment of educational media, trends of educational media, and the appearance of multimedia; (2) the role and functions of audiovisual institutions as a training and learning center, educational materials center, and information and research center; (3) the improvement of audiovisual institutions; and (4) propelling the system for educational media in local areas, including the roles of boards of education, prefectures and municipalities, and the national government. Also included is "A View of the Application of Audiovisual Education in the Lifelong Learning Society" (Yasuo Takakuwa). This article addresses the new concept of audiovisual institutions, as well as related functions, problems, and issues. (Includes a Japanese version of both reports.) (AEF)