Japan

Education
System

 Japanese Education System

6 3 3 4
Years of Years of Years of Years of
elementary junior high high school university
school school
Kindergaten
Kindergarten usually starts at 3

not compulsory, having only 60% enrollment

rate

play, singing songs, observation, hearing and

speaking, handicrafts

Emphasis on being indepedent and necessary

life habits

Teachers considered as developed in

understanding children's world
Elementary
compulsory for children aged 6-12
99.35% public and only .65% private
enrollment rate is 99%
considered as the first step of the child into society
provide children aged 6-12 w/ elementary general
education suited to the appropriate stage of their mental
and physical development.
children are not held back if they do poorly and the other
way around
parent-teacher communication

Japan Educational System

Higher Education
Higher education in Japan is provided at universities (* daigaku), juniorcolleges ( # tanki daigaku),
colleges of technology ( kõtosenmon gakkō) and special training schools and community
colleges (senshū gakkō). Of these four types of institutions, only universities and junior colleges
are strictly considered postsecondary education providers. The modern Japanese higher
education system has undergone numerous changes since the Meiji period and was largely
modeled after Western countries such as Germany, France, Britain, and the United States to
create a unique Japanese model to serve its national needs. The Japanese higher education
system differs from higher education in most other countries in many significant ways. Key
differences include the method of acceptance, which relies almost entirely on one or two tests,
as opposed to GPAS (Grade Point Average) or other methods of assessment used in Western
countries. Because students only have one chance to take this test each year, there is an
enormous amount of pressure to do well on this test, and the majority of senior high school
education is dedicated to doing well on this single test.

Japan Educational System

 Higher Education
Another major difference is graduate school, as very few non-science undergraduate students go
to graduate school in Japan. This is because graduate schools for non-science students are
generally considered useful only those who want to work in academia. This has changed a little
since the turn of the 21st century. The law has changed to require those who want to become
lawyers to attend a graduate school the Japanese government has designated a law school.
Previously, lawyers only had to pass the bar exam, which undergraduate students could take.
Major universities have also opened business schools, though few Japanese students attend these
because most Japanese corporations still don't regard graduate students as much more qualified
than undergraduate students. For this reason, they are mostly attended by foreign students from
neighboring Asian countries, particularly South Korea, Taiwan, and China. Unlike higher education
in some other countries, public universities are generally regarded as more prestigious than private
universities, especially the National Seven Universities (University of Tokyo, Kyoto University,
Tohoku University, Kyushu University, Hokkaido University, Osaka University, and Nagoya
University).

Japan Educational System

Lower Secondary Education
part of the compulsory stage in Japanese Education
students aged 12-15
purpose is to provide general education corresponding to
students' mental and physical development on the basis of
their primary education
teachers assigned to one subject only(2/3 are men)
additional subjects like English Language, Moral Education
and Religion (Private)
no breaks in between classes(classes 50 mins. Long)
Graduates of lower secondary schools are entitled to
advance to schools of upper secondary education colleges
(with certificate)

Japan Educational System

Upper Secondary Education
not compulsory
students aged 15-18
purpose is to provide higher general
education and specialized education
according to students' mental and
physical development on the foundation of
the lower secondary education.

Japan Educational System

 Curriculum Outline
The Japanese school system primarily consists of six-year
elementary schools, three-year junior high schools and three-
year high schools, followed by a two-or-three-year junior
colleges or a four-year colleges. Compulsory education lasts
for 9 years through elementary and junior high school.
School exchanges during Japan Educational Travel are mainly
implemented in junior high and high schools. For physically
or mentally challenged students, there is a system called
“Special Needs Education” to support special students to
develop their self-reliance and thus enhance their social
participation.
 School Timetable
Public schools in Japan have classes five days a week, from Monday to Friday. There are also
schools that have classes on Saturday. In junior high and high schools, there are six class periods
each day, typically lasting 50 minutes for each. After classes, students clean the classrooms in shifts
and then start their club activities. There are a variety of clubs such as cultural and sports ones.
 Academic Calendar
In principle, the school year begins in April and ends in March of the following year. Most schools adopt a
three-semester system, with the first semester from April to August, the second semester from September to
December, and the third semester from January to March. There is also a summer break (from the end of July
to the end of August), a winter break (from the end of December to the beginning of January), and a spring
break (from the end of March to the beginning of April).
Academic Calendar
 School Organization
Each school has a principal, a vice principal, teachers, a school
nurse, and other administration staff. As the chief executive, the
principal assumes all responsibilities of the school, including the
courses provided and related administrative work. The vice
principal supports the principal to manage administrative affairs of
the school and to be in charge of student’s educational activities
and curriculum as well. Furthermore, in order to ensure school’s
smooth operation, teachers take on various responsibilities, such as
taking care of educational activities, students’school life, and
employment guidance for students after graduation. Many schools
also establish their own committees, for example a International
Exchange Promotion Committee, and others.
Special Features of
Japanese Education

Regarding the Level of Education

The level of Japanese education is high even by world

standards. In OECD’s Programme for International
Student Assessment (PISA) aimed at fifteen-year-olds,
Japanese students recorded high levels of achievement,
particularly in science related areas. Educational
activities outside of school also flourish, and programs
leading to advanced education are implemented.

Enrollment in high schools, the second-half of

secondary education, reaches over 90%, and the
enrollments in college are also high reaching over 50%.
Admission to high schools and colleges is mainly
through entrance exams, held from January to March.

Japan Educational System

Foreign Language Education

English is a compulsory subject in junior high

and high schools. There are also elementary
schools that introduce English education
from intermediate grade classes. In some
high schools, apart from English, students
are also allowed to take courses in Chinese,
Korean, French, German, etc.

Japan Educational System

Student Clubs

Student clubs are a characteristic part in Japan’s

school education. Under teachers’ guidance, students
with the same interests in sports, cultural activities, or
fields of study voluntarily gather together after
classes and on days off. There are also numerous
student clubs revolving around Japanese traditional
sports and culture, such as judo, kendo(Japanese
swordsmanship), sado (Japanese tea ceremony), kado
(Japanese flower arrangement), shodo (Japanese
calligraphy), etc. Club activities also provide students
with the chance to participate in school exchange and
friendly matches.

Japan Educational System

Main Concepts
Facilities
Curriculum Subjects Buildings are plain but
fuctional.
designed and created excellent educational
Including Japanese
by Monbusho or facilities, including
language, social libraries, music rooms,
Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, studies, science, art, gymnasia, and
playgrounds,
Science and music, home
swimming pools and
Technology (MEXT) economics, physical science rooms are well
education. equipped.

Japan Educational System

Timeline
The Japanese educational system was
reformed after World War II. The old 6-5-3-3
system was changed to a 6-3-3-4 system (6
years of elementary school, 3 years of junior
high school, 3 years of senior high school
and 4 years of University) with reference to
the American system. The gimukyoiku
(compulsory education) time period is 9
years, 6 in shougakkou (elementary school)
and 3 in chuugakkou(junior high school).

Japan Educational System

Timeline
Japan has one of the world's best-educated
populations, with 100% enrollment in
compulsorygrades and zero illiteracy. While not
compulsory,high school (koukou
高校 ) enrollment is over 96%nationwide and nearly
100% in the cities. Thehigh school drop out rate is
about 2% and has been increasing. About 46% of all
high schoolgraduates go on to university or junior
college.The Ministry of Education closely
supervisescurriculum, textbooks, classes and
maintains auniform level of education throughout
thecountry. As a result, a high standard of
educationis possible. System
Japan Educational
Compare and
Contrast

In Japan, there are around 30 students but not more than 40 inside the class. In
some places, they still have more than 70. The lack of classrooms is one of the
problems causing a large number of students per class in the Philippines. There
are only three sections in one school but in the Philippines there is almost an
average of around 5 sections in a small school and more 12 in big school.

Japan has no specific standard for the grading system. They don’t have exams
until the fourth grade because a higher emphasis is put on developing
responsibility in youth and ensuring children are capable of cleaning, caring, and
being polite. This is about building a good manner and develop their character.
There is no specific grading system in Japan.They all are set to take seriously a
compulsory examination. All students in elementary are promoted to the next
grade level even they failed the exam. To be accepted in SHS and accepted in the
best school, they have to pass the entrance examination. This is one of the
reasons why Japanese students study hard. They value quality education

There is a definite grading system in the Philippines. Filipino students in all

grade levels usually take quizzes every day. They also take a summative or
monthly examination, as well as periodical or quarterly exams.At the end of the
school year, many teachers indorsed learners for the next grade level even they
failed in the class. Conducting remedial classes during summer break is a
burden to the teachers.

Both Japan and the Philippines required professional license to teach in

government-owned institutions. Japanese and Filipino teachers take general
license in elementary and specializations in secondary. Both Japanese and
Filipino science teachers attend in-service training as professional
development to update and upgrade about new trends in education.

 Thank You!

Japan Educational System