Education in Japan

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Education in Japan
Sonia Contreras
Arizona State University

Education plays a key role in the success of a country. It contributes to the economy, the
government, and the overall progression of a country. Japan is known for having exceptional
education, being ranked as one of the highest in student achievement. When it comes to science
and math, for example, Japan is ranked as the fourth highest in the world (Fair Reporters 2016).
They have 100% enrollment in compulsory grades and have zero illiteracy across the country
(Abe 2016). Japans system for education can be used as an example for other countries who
wish to succeed in the area.
Japans educational system was reformed after World War II, and since then it has been
skyrocketing. They follow a 6-3-3-4 system, which consists of six years of elementary school,
three years of junior high, three years of senior high school, and four years of university (Abe
2016). Elementary through junior high school is referred to as gimukyoiku (Abe, 2016). The
gimukyoiku period of education is the period that is mandated by law for students to complete.
Senior high school, which consists of three years, is not legally required in Japan. As of recently,
Japan has a 100% compulsory education enrollment rate (Abe, 2016). This can be measured
easily since, unlike the United States, the entire country of Japan is on the same page when it
comes to compulsory education. Overall, Japan has a higher enrollment rate when it comes to
government provided education (K-12). As seen in the image below, provided by the UNESCO
Institute for Statistics, education is taken more seriously in Japan, seeing that the percentages of
those enrolled in secondary education is higher. Since 2010, although not required by law, Japan
has also had a 100% enrollment rate in secondary education.

Education in Japan

Figure 1: Gross enrollment ratio, primary, both sexes (%), Japan and the United States.
(UNESCO, 2016)
Japan and the United States may seem like they provide the same amount of schooling,
since they both offer twelve years before having to transfer to the collegiate level. By the time
students in Japan have completed their twelve-year education, they have attended school 720
more days than students in the United States (Jonas, 2010). Aside from the transitional vacation
time in the spring, when students are moving to the next grade, they do not get many days off.
The schools still have holidays, but students are still to work on homework during those times.
Teachers in Japan, in turn, only get a two-week vacation every year (Jonas, 2010). The amount of
emphasis that is put into education in Japan is a reason as to why they are exceeding.

Education in Japan

It is not a secret that students in Japan are especially talented in the subjects of math and
science. During the year 2012, Japan was ranked first in science, and second in math, among
other countries (OECD, 2012). The scores for these subjects have only been increasing since
recent years. Japan lies more than twenty rankings ahead of the United States. The curriculum for
these subjects is, among the worlds most demanding (NCEE, 2015). Since 2007, the
curriculum in math has been under work in Japan. Japan implemented the National Assessment
of Academic Ability, which measures mathematics. The results from these assessments were
used in revising the curriculum (NCEE, 2015). The image below shows the scores from 2012 in
these subjects, as well as reading, compared to those of the United States.

Figure 2: PISA 2012 Mean Scores by Country for Reading, Mathematics, and Science (NCEE
2015)

Education in Japan
Japans education curriculum is among one of the greatest worldwide. Mathematics and
science are subjects that on their own will put any country ahead. The simple fact that Japan has
a zero illiteracy rate shows that the country truly cares about their education. The people
themselves also care about their education, being that they decide to stay in school for senior
high school, which is not compulsory education. Overall, the educational system in Japan is a
great example of how students can succeed.

Education in Japan

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References

Abe, N. (2016, July 22). The Japanese Education System. Retrieved November 15, 2016, from
http://japanese.about.com/od/japaneselessons/a/061000.htm
Fair Reporters. (2015, October 24). The Best Education Systems in The World in 2015.
Retrieved November 15, 2016, from http://fairreporters.net/world/the-best-educationsystems-in-the-world-in-2015/
NCEE. (2015). Instructional Systems. Retrieved November 15, 2016, from
http://www.ncee.org/programs-affiliates/center-on-international-education-benchmarking/
NCEE. (2015). Japan Overview. Retrieved November 15, 2016, from
http://www.ncee.org/programs-affiliates/center-on-international-education-benchmarking/
OECD. (2012). Results from PISA 2012. Japan: Country Note. doi:10.1787/888932673353
UNESCO. (2016). Education: Gross Enrollment Rate, Secondary, Both Sexes. Retrieved
November 15, 2016.