Education in Japan

Population: 128 million people

Literacy Rate: ?%

GNP: USD? per capita

Human Development Index: 0.?

Education is an important issue in Japanese society. These are the three ways that a young Japanese child is educated in Japan: by attending a public school for a compulsory education, by attending a private school for a compulsory education, or by attending a private school that does not adhere to standards set by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

While high school ("upper secondary education") is not compulsory, more than 90% of the population attends high school. There are, however, many high schools which are not strictly academic, including agricultural and technical high schools. More than 2.5 million students advance to universities and colleges. In the past, the selection process for advancing to higher education had been described as "hellish" and "war-like". But with the number of Japanese children being born declining, the tide has turned the other way. Now schools are having to compete amongst themselves to gather students. However, many children continue to be sent to Juku (cram schools) in addition to state schools.

Most children begin their education by attending preschool, although it is not part of the official system. The official structure provides compulsory, free schooling and a sound and balanced education to virtually all children from ages 6 to 15. Upper-secondary school, including non-strictly academic institutions, from grades ages 15 to 18, although not compulsory, attracts about 94 percent of those who complete lower-secondary school. About 40%[1] of all Japanese upper-secondary school graduates advance to tertiary education—to full four-year universities, two-year junior colleges, or to other institutions.

Traditionally, Japan has been a highly education-minded, regimented society. Education was esteemed, and achievement was often the prerequisite for success in work and in society at large. Today´s landscape illustrates a different view. With schools competing for enrollment, entrance examinations have become stolid in an attempt to maintain operations. Today, schools often function with enrollment rates far below full capacity. At the public level, this translates into severe funding issues. Schools which were constructed to house 1,000 students sometimes contain less than one-third of that number. However, this does not equate to small class sizes. Classrooms commonly accommodate between 35 to 45 students.

Japanese high school students have a very difficult and unusual life compared to many students in the West. The daily routine of a Japanese student is very different and consists of many terms. Most students in Japan have private tutoring or cram school which is known as night school in the United States. This helps them to get ahead in their school work and most students are participating in these schools to improve their learning and is a vital aspect to getting a higher income job. Students in Japan study harder but they also do not have as much leisure time since most of their time is spent studying, doing school work and participating in club activities. As well as having school and other tutoring Japan is known for its sporting clubs. Japan is known for its harder studying habits.

Updated On: 15.02.09