Japan has a strong science and technology sector, with 22 Nobel laureates in physics and chemistry. It relies heavily on nuclear power, with 55 reactors providing 34% of its electricity. While the automotive and electronics industries are highly developed, the country's K-12 education system has been slow to adopt technology, despite high expectations. There is a debate around balancing traditional moral education versus teaching skills needed for a globalized economy. Recent reforms aim to foster creativity and individuality in schools to better prepare students for competitive 21st century jobs.

1. Educational Technology
Science and Technology in Japan

4. Nobel Laureates
1st in 1949 in Physics
22 winners in total
Japanese(-born)
Physics and Chemistry

6. Nuclear Power
55 nuclear reactors
3rd largest user
34% of electricity
7 new reactors (2008)
1970s: less imported fuel

9. Automotive Industry
Passenger Cars Production Volumes

11. Electronics
of course!

12. Electronics
of course!

19. Internet}High-Tech
Aeronautics
Robotics
Research
Nuclear
Automotive
Transports
Electronics
High Expectations
on educational technology

22. Reality

23. “What intrigues me
about Japan is that
the country has a
very technology rich
society, but the
school systems are
technology resistant,
especially at the K-12
level.”
-Anthony Salcito, Microsoft

24. That works, anyways!

25. Why change?
Moral-Traditional vs. Skills-Global

26. Why change?
Moral-Traditional vs. Skills-Global

31. Reactions
Mergers
Acquisitions
Uncertainty
Open attitude
School New Deal Plan

32. Originality,
creativity, and
individuality:
Necessary in the
competitive
economy.
Inexistent in the
traditional Japanese
schooling system.

33. 21st Century Skills...
to fight a 21st century economic crisis?

34. ECONOMY
EDUCATION

35. PS: Japan does have a decent amount of research on Educational Technology.