The document provides an overview of schooling in Japan. It discusses that Japan has a highly successful education system as evidenced by high PISA and TIMSS test scores. The school system is structured with preschool, primary education from ages 6-12, and lower secondary from 12-15 which is compulsory. Upper secondary and higher education are available but not compulsory. Schools emphasize traditional values like cleaning and respect alongside academics. Teachers play an important social role. While the system is successful, challenges include bullying, lack of student interest at higher levels, and high teacher workload. Debates discuss balancing standardized testing with personality development.

1. Schooling in
Japan
GDIT 726 EDUCATION IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY
By Emtinan Alqurashi

2. CHAPTER 1
1
Rational

3. Asian countries are the leading countries in Mathematics, Reading, and Science scores according to PISA
results (2012) and TIMMS (2011). I wanted to explore a successful Asian country in their education
system and a country that I have no previous knowledge about, which lead me to choose Japan. I
enjoyed creating this project and most importantly I learned a lot about Japan.
There are many tools out there that help to create and deliver the content, so I started to think about
what is most important to me to narrow the options down. The most important factor I thought about
first is learner’s freedom of exploring information. The second factor I thought about is mixing between
text, pictures, graphs and videos. For those reasons, I decided to create a digital book; and since I am
familiar with ibook, I chose it.
The only issue I faced with ibook is when I tried to embed a YouTube video in a page. It took me some
time until I figured out that it does’t allow you to do so. The reason is they want the readers to be able to
read the digital book offline. That made sense. However, it took me also sometime and effort to figure
out how to download the YouTube video that I want to embed it in ibook to work without internet
connection. Eventually, I did not learn only about Japan but also gained some technical skills.
This project takes you on an interesting journey to schooling in Japan; I hope you enjoy it and learn from
it as much as I did.
Emtinan
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4. Location
The island of Japan is in East Asia located in the Pacific Ocean, where the Sea of Japan separates it
from Russia, China, North Korea and South Korea on the left side. It consists of four main islands and
about 3000 smaller islands. Natural disasters like earth quakes and typhoons are frequent in Japan.
CHAPTER 2
3
Japan, The Country

5. Population
According to the Worldometers (2016), the current
population of Japan is about 126,423,474 based on
the latest United Nations estimates. Japan
population is equivalent to 1.72% of the total
world population. It ranks number 11 in the list of
countries by population.
Ethnic Groups
Approximately 98.5% of population is Japanese,
0.4% is Chinese, 0.5% is Koreans,and 0.6% is other.
Religion
According to Kisala (2005), only 30% of the
population identify themselves as belonging to a
religion. Approximately 90-96% of population
subscribes to Buddhism or Shintoism, less than
1% are Christians, Other minority religions
include Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Judaism.
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6. CHAPTER 3
5
The Social Fabric

7. Tradition and Modernity
With development of the modern society in Japan, the line between
tradition and modernity is difficult to recognize; but this is how
Hiroyuki Numata in Mazurek & Winzer (2006, p. 32) describes the
Japanese people:
“Isolated from the world, the people of Japan lived naively, following the
Shintoist simple way of living that rested on the belief that a pure and
clean mind was fundamental to the achievement of human beings on the
earth”.
Japanese culture is famous and well-known by its traditional art,
music, literature, cuisine, and sports. It is influenced mainly by
Asian culture.
Political and Institutional Life
The National Diet , located in Tokyo, is the Japan's legislative
organ. It consists of (1) a House of Representatives, which has 480
members who are elected every four years, and (2) a House of
Councillors, which has 242 members who are elected every six
years (The Constitute of Japan). The Diet is dominated by the social
liberal Democratic Party of Japan and the conservative Liberal
Democratic Party (LDP). The LDP was formed since 1955, it has 294
seats in the House of Representatives and 83 seats in the House of
Councillors. The Prime Minister of Japan, assigned by the Emperor
6
The National Diet building

8. and elected by the Diet, is the head of the Cabinet and the
government.
Economy and Industry
After US and China, Japan is the third largest national economy in
the world in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) (Hiroyuki
Numata in Mazurek & Winzer, 2006). In 2014, the total GPD was
36,194.4 USD (The World Bank). Japan has a large industrial
capacity. It is famous with its advancement in technology
productions ( motor vehicles, electronics, machine tools, steel,
ships, chemical substances, textiles, and processed foods) (US
Department of State, 2015). The main export of the Japanese
market are China, the USA, South Korea, Thailand and Hong
Kong. On the other hand, Japan imports transportation equipment,
motor vehicles, iron and steel products, semiconductors and auto
parts. The main imports of the Japanese markets are China, the
USA, Australia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Indonesia, and the
United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Another main business in Japan
is agriculture, which cultivate 13% of Japanese land. The official
currency in Japan is the Yen.
7
The Japanese Yen

9. CHAPTER 4
8
Schooling
This video introduces the Japanese schooling
Source: Evans, A. [Where's Andrew?] (2011) https://youtu.be/5A09HhxXht4
Movie 4.1 Schools in Japan

10. Education before and after WW II
Before World War II, Japanese education was mostly based on the principles of loyalty and patriotism.
The aims of the schooling in that period of time depended on several elements: “imperial virtues such as
loyalty to the emperor; family virtues such as filial piety to parents and harmony between husband and
wife; perfection of individual morality-modesty, moderation, benevolence, learning, and the cultivation
of intellectual faculties; and public morals such as the promotion of common interests and respect for
the law” (Hiroyuki, 2006, p. 35).
After World War II, the principles and aims of education have changed. The preamble states “education
shall aim at the full development of personality, striving for rearing of the people, sound in mind and
body, we shall love truth and peace, esteem individual value, respect labour and have deep sense of
responsibility, and be imbued with the independent spirit as builders of the peaceful state and
society” (Hiroyuki, 2006, p. 36).
Structure and organization of the education system
There are three kinds of schools in Japan: national, municipal and private schools. The school year
usually begins on 1 April and ends on 31 March of the following year. it is divided into three terms:
April-July, September-December, and January-March. However, higher education institutions usually
adopt a two-semester academic year. Students in first grade have 850 school hours, students in second
grade have 910 school hours, students in third grade have 980 school hours, students in fourth and fifth
grade have 1015 school hours in a primary school year. Students in all grades of lower secondary
education have 1050 school hours a year.
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11. Preschool education:
Preschool education is designed for
children between the ages of 3 and 6,
however, it is not compulsory. It includes
nursery service, day cares, kindergartens
and infant education.
Primary education:
Primary education is the first stage of
compulsory schooling and, it is designed
for children between the ages of 6 and 12.
The enrollment rate is almost 100% for
primary education.
Secondary education:
Lower secondary education is the final stage of compulsory schooling, it is designed for students
between the ages of 12 and 15. Students who have completed the three-year lower secondary course are
entitled to apply to upper secondary schools or colleges of technology. In 1948, Upper secondary
education was established as non-compulsory education. There are three types of upper secondary
school courses: full-time, part-time and correspondence courses.
Higher education:
10

12. Higher education institutions in Japan include universities, junior colleges and colleges of technology,
special training schools, and miscellaneous schools that offer advanced courses can be counted as
institutions of higher education.
School administration:
The educational administration of Japan is based on five principles: (1) the Principle of Legalism, (2) the
Principle of Democratic Administration, (3) the Principle of Neutralism, (4) the Principle of Adjustment
and Establishment of Educational Conditions, and (5) the Principle of Decentralization.
Curricula and evaluation
The Ministry of Education, Science,Sports and Culture (MEXT), the board of education, and schools are
all officially responsible for curricula. However, schools are in fact responsible for planning the content
for themselves.
Educators used to evaluate their students based on knowledge obtained from textbooks and measured
skills only. Long after, (attitude, critical thinking, expression , judgement) were added as part of
evaluating performance.
Student Characteristics
After each school day, students clean their school starting from their own classroom to gym and
restrooms. This is to teach them how to clean after themselves, and to think about the environment
around them as well. Students learn in school how to greet, behave and talk politely. Schools are not just
for learning different subject matters but also for preparing students for their lives as adults.
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13. Teaching in Japan
After World War II, teaching profession has gained its
importance in Japanese society. Japanese teachers have
duties more than teaching in school, it extends to
families, school, and environment. This include safety
programs, school cleaning programs, lunch programs,
medical check up programs, traffic safety program, sex
education, and many more. The usual working hours
for teachers is from 8 am till 5 pm, but the majority of
teachers stay at school after 5 pm to finish their duties.
In order to become an elementary or secondary teacher
in Japan, a teaching certificate must be obtained.
Teaching certificates are classified into three major
categories: regular, special and temporary. Once someone becomes a teacher, he/she must take a one-
year compulsory training.
Under the current teacher training system, The Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture
(MEXT) requires universities and colleges to provide teacher training courses for new and experienced
teachers. MEXT also requires teachers to always seek to improve their skills and knowledge.
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14. PISA results
The results of the 2012 Program for
International Student Assessment (PISA) ,
testing about 510 000 students around the age
of 15 in 65 different countries on
Mathematics, Science and Reading. The results
on the right image are for the top 36,
Shanghai had the highest score in all three
subjects. Japan was in the 4th place in Science
and Reading scores, and 7th place in Math
scores.
In comparison, the Unites States was in the
24th place in Reading scores, 28th place in
Science scores, and 36th place in Math scores.
13

15. TIMSS results
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study
(TIMSS) 2011 provides reliable and timely data on the
mathematics and science achievement of U.S. students
compared to that of students in other countries.
The results on the right image are for Math scores of 4th
grade students in 2011. It shows that the highest average
score (613) was obtained by South Korea followed by
Singapore (611).
Japan comes in fifth place with average score of 570, which is
higher than the average score of the US, 509.
The average scores of both Japan and the Unites Stated are
above the TIMMS scale average of 500.
14

16. Japan and the United States Education
JAPAN USA
National Curriculum Curriculum determined by state
School year begins April School year begins August
School year is 240 days School year is 160 days
less than 6 weeks of Summer vocation Three moths of Summer vocation
School uniform is mandatory No school uniform
High PISA results Average PISA results
Stressful education system Relaxed education system
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17. CHAPTER 5
16
Successes, Chllanges and
Debates

18. Success
Across OCDE countries, Japan is ranked one of the top
four countries in Reading and Science, and top seven in
Mathematics scores according to PISA results (2012);
and ranked one of the top five according to TIMMS
results (2011).
Challenges
Along with the Japanese successful experience in
education, there are some challenges found as reported
by Hiroyuki, (2006):
1.School dropouts: one among 300 primary school
students one among 37 junior high school students do
not attend school. This number is decreasing by time.
2.School violence and bullying: violence and bullying
in schools are serious issues that face teachers.
Teachers are having trouble controlling their
classrooms when Students talk loudly, walk around
in the classroom, and bother their friends during the
lessons.
17
By Andy Rementer

19. 3.Lack of interest: Japanese students generally from preschool up to university level show interest in
formal school learning. However, some believe that school is not the way to a great life so they start
leaving school.
4.Teacher workload: Japanese teachers have duties more than teaching, they work with community to
help with their problems. Therefore, they stay in school long after official working hours to fulfill their
duties.
5.Crises of childhood: Japanese society are worried about the increase in child abuse cases.
6.University as a leisure land: many students enter university without clear goals to motivate them, but
instead, they only want to enjoy their time as youths. They mostly care about obtaining the degree to
get a job without really wanting to learn.
Debates
After working hard for over a decade, Japan succeeded in “bringing up excellent leaders and workers to
promote modern industry” (Hiroyuki, 2006, p. 46). However, the aim of education on Japan focuses on
the development of personality but only few teachers are putting that into practice. They are now more
focusing on standardized examination and university entrance examination.
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20. xix
References
• Hiroyuki N. (2006). Japanese Schooling. In Mazurek, K., & Winzer, M. A. (Eds). Schooling around the world: De-
bates, challenges and practice. New York, NY: Pearson Education.
• Evans, A. [Where's Andrew?]. (2011, Sep 24). School in Japan [video file] Retrieved from:
https://youtu.be/5A09HhxXht4
• OECD Programme for International Students Assessments (2012). PISA 2012 Results: What students know and
can do: Student performance in mathematics, reading, and science. Retrieved from
http://www.oecd.org/pisa/home/
• Kisala, Robert (2005). Wargo, Robert, ed. The Logic Of Nothingness: A Study of Nishida Kitarō. University of Ha-
waii Press. pp. 3–4.
• Worldometers. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/japan-population/
• The World Bank. Retrieved from http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD
• UNESCO. (2006). Japan. Retrieved from
http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/archive/Countries/WDE/2006/ASIA_and_the_PACIFIC
/Japan/Japan.htm
• US Department of State. (2015) U.S. Relations With Japan. Retrieved from
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4142.htm