Japans Education System and Recent Problems

Introduction of modern education system

First modern school system was established in the late 19th century. In 1872, the government set up elementary and secondary schools throughout the country. In 1886, every child was required to attend elementary schools for either three or four years. In 1900, compulsory education was made free of charge, in 1908, its duration was extended to six years.

Education in the Meiji period

Confucian precepts were stressed, especially those concerning the hierarchical nature of human relations, service to the new state, the pursuit of learning, and morality. These ideals, embodied in the 1890 Imperial Rescript on Education, largely guided Japanese education until the end of World War .

Establishment of the universities

Tokyo University (1877)

Kyushu University (1911)

Hokkaido University (1918)

Waseda University (1902)

Education in wartimes
In the 1930s, education was subject to strong military and nationalistic influences. The rise of militarism led to a misuse of the education system to prepare the nation for war. The military even sent its own teachers to schools. By 1945, the Japanese education system had been devastated

Education Reform after the War

The education system was rebuilt after the American model. The six-three-three grade structure was instituted and compulsory schooling was extended to nine years. Curricula and textbooks were revised, the nationalistic morals course was abolished and replaced with social studies.

Schools in Japan
Many kinds of schools exist in Japan at present. The survey by the MEXT indicated there were 61,092 schools in May, 2005. Private schools exist in all stages of the system, especially in preschools, Junior colleges and universities.

Education System
Kindergarten: 1-3 years (age 3-5) 79.6% go to private Elementary school: 6 years (age 6-12). Compulsory Mostly, public. Junior high school: 3 years (age 12-15). Compulsory. 6.5% go to private. High school: 3 years (age 1518). 29.6% go to private junior college: 2 years(age 1820) 92.7% go to private University: 4 years (age 18-22) 73.7% go to private

Schools, Teachers and Studentsin Japan (2005)

Item T otal Kindergartens Public Private Elementary schools Public Private Junior high schools Public Private High schools Public Private Secondary schools Public Private Schools for the handicapped Public Private T echnical colleges Public Private Junior colleges Public Private Universities Public Private Special training schools Public Private Miscellaneous schools Public Private Schools 61,092 13,949 5,595 8,354 23,123 22,929 194 11,035 10,314 721 5,418 4,097 1,321 19 10 9 1,002 988 14 63 60 3 488 52 436 726 173 553 3,439 214 3,225 1,830 16 1,814 T eachers (full-time) Pupils or students enrolled Male Female Male Female 1,322,460 690,545 631,915 20,367,965 10,578,402 9,789,563 110,393 6,807 103,586 1,738,766 882,771 855,995 25,825 726 25,099 355,517 181,195 174,322 84,568 6,081 78,487 1,383,249 701,576 681,673 416,833 155,274 261,559 7,197,458 3,679,994 3,517,464 413,227 153,459 259,768 7,126,508 3,651,610 3,474,898 3,606 1,815 1,791 70,950 28,384 42,566 248,694 146,603 102,091 3,626,415 1,854,125 1,772,290 235,425 138,150 97,275 3,383,909 1,740,086 1,643,823 13,269 8,453 4,816 242,506 114,039 128,467 251,408 181,933 69,475 3,605,242 1,827,534 1,777,708 191,598 137,653 53,945 2,536,319 1,274,160 1,262,159 59,810 44,280 15,530 1,068,923 553,374 515,549 560 382 178 7,456 4,161 3,295 276 187 89 3,488 1,573 1,915 284 195 89 3,968 2,588 1,380 63,632 26,725 36,907 101,612 65,191 36,421 63,370 26,596 36,774 100,812 64,711 36,101 262 129 133 800 480 320 4,469 4,229 240 59,160 49,325 9,835 4,315 4,083 232 56,804 47,174 9,630 154 146 8 2,356 2,151 205 11,960 6,392 5,568 219,355 28,224 191,131 1,453 807 646 15,990 2,078 13,912 10,507 5,585 4,922 203,365 26,146 177,219 161,690 134,740 26,950 2,865,051 1,740,151 1,124,900 72,363 62,829 9,534 752,760 477,180 275,580 89,327 71,911 17,416 2,112,291 1,262,971 849,320 41,776 20,566 21,210 783,783 365,865 417,918 2,859 499 2,360 29,895 4,200 25,695 38,917 20,067 18,850 753,888 361,665 392,223 11,045 6,894 4,151 163,667 81,061 82,606 64 31 33 1,212 323 889 10,981 6,863 4,118 162,455 80,738 81,717

Advance to higher education

Percentage of students who advance to higher education (2005) High school and technical college: 97.6% (F: 97.9%, M: 97.2%) University and Junior College: 47.2.% (F: 48.6%, M: 45.9%) As the entrance rate into universities and junior colleges has risen for a long time, higher education has become widespread among the general public. A number of students enter vocational schools such as special training schools and miscellaneous school.

School activities
the school year begins on April 1. Excursions in spring and fall mainly Pre-graduation school trips are special favorites with most students. Athletic meets or sports meets, plays and choral performances, band concerts, culture festivals Sports teams, musical groups, artistic circles, and other clubs activities

School Lunch
Almost all elementary and junior high schools provide lunch for students. Meals are taken in the classroom with the teacher, providing another informal opportunity for teaching nutrition and health and good eating habits and social behavior. Students also are responsible for serving the lunch and cleaning up.

School uniforms

Most junior high schools and high schools adopt school uniforms for their students.

A classroom in Japanese school

Teachers office

Juku and Yobiko

A number of students attend private cram schools called juku. Juku are special private schools that offer highly organized lessons conducted after regular school hours and on the weekends. Yobik are best known for their specially designed full-time, yearlong classes for the unsuccessful students in entrance examinations Cost of education for children is a big burden to parents.

Shiyuei preparatory school in Sapporo

University

Tokyo Unversity

Kyoto University

University

Keiou University Waseda University

Entrance and tuition fees in universities

National universities
Entrance fee: $2,800 (2002) Tuition fee: $5,200/year (2002) Private universities Entrance fee: $2,800 (2001) Tuition fee: $10,000/year (2001)

University Students Living Costs (2002

Expenditure
School expenses Tuition fee Other school fees, etc Living expenses Housing, heating and electricity Food expenses Entertainment Others

2,017,700 Income
(yen) 1,161,200 From home 792,100 Scholarships 369,100 Part-time jobs 856,500 Full-time jobs, etc 266,800 217,200 158,300 214,200

2,237,800
(yen) 1,556,700 225,800 358,700 96,600

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Growth of Enrolled Students or Pupils

Children who refuse to go to school

persons
Elementary school Junior high school

1995
Elementary school Junior high school Total

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

Survey by the M

Acts of Violence in the schools

The number of cases

Elementary school Junior high school High school

1995
Elementary school Junior high school High school
Elementary school

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

Survey by the M

Bullying or Harassment
The number of cases

Elementary school Junior high school High school

1995
Elementary school Junior high school High school

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

Survey by the M

Dropout from high schools

(persons)
Number of dropouts
percentage

1995
Number of t dropouts percentage

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

Survey by the M