Top 13 Interesting Facts About the Education System in Japan

Children in Japan study many subjects that are familiar to us, such as mathematics, science, social studies, music, crafts, physical education, and more. Increasingly, elementary schools are teaching English as a second language. Most schools today are equipped with internet access due to the growing role of technology in education. However, there are also some unique subjects that are not commonly taught in other countries, such as cooking, sewing skills, and calligraphy... particularly the traditional Japanese arts.

Japanese students also learn calligraphy and Japanese poetry. Japanese calligraphy, or Shodo, involves dipping a bamboo brush into ink and using it to write pictorial characters on rice paper. For the Japanese, Shodo is an art form as revered as traditional painting. Meanwhile, Haiku is a poetic form that uses simple expressions to convey profound emotions to the reader. Both subjects teach children to respect their culture and the centuries-old traditions of their homeland. Japanese students cannot study in a school without being deeply influenced by the daily lessons of their country's culture and traditions.

The majority of middle and high schools in Japan have a strict uniform policy for students. The Japanese school uniform serves not only as a symbol of youth but also plays a significant role in the culture of the country, as it is believed to instill a sense of discipline and community among young people. There are various types of uniforms, ranging from standard to unique, used by different schools. The tradition of school uniforms in Japan dates back 150 years.

Initially, students wore their everyday clothes to school, with girls donning kimonos and boys wearing hakama. During the Meiji period, students began wearing uniforms modeled after Western attire. By the Taishō period, boys started wearing the gakuran, which consists of black trousers and a long jacket with a standing collar, five golden buttons, and geta sandals. These uniforms are still in use today. Later, a European-style naval uniform called seifuku was introduced, which was first used in the 19th century.

Although this style of uniform remains in use, many schools have adopted Western-style Catholic school uniforms. Regardless of the type of uniform a specific school mandates, all schools have summer uniforms and sports uniforms. Depending on the level of discipline at a particular school, students may often wear different seasonal and activity-specific uniforms during the same school day.

The school year in Japan begins in early April and ends in late March the following year. The academic year is divided into three terms (some schools only have two terms). The opening ceremony is held throughout Japan in early April, marking the beginning of the new school year. This ceremony provides students with the opportunity to reflect on the school life they hope to experience and allows older students to welcome the newcomers. The event is usually held in the school gymnasium. Older students and parents typically sit at the front and give a big round of applause to the new students as they enter the room.

At a typical opening ceremony, the school principal gives a few opening remarks, encouraging the new students to have an enjoyable and enriching school experience. The homeroom teachers are then introduced, and one of the older students gives a welcoming speech. As the speeches continue, the new students begin to relax and familiarize themselves with the school environment. The ceremony usually ends with a school song performed by the older students. Afterward, the new students are led by their teachers to their classrooms, where the teacher will explain what they will be studying throughout the year. Textbooks are then distributed, and students take class photos as mementos.

Many elementary and middle school students in Japan participate in extracurricular activities outside of school, with swimming, learning English, and playing the piano being particularly popular. In the past, parents often chose the activities for their children, but nowadays, it is considered more important for children to independently decide what they want to do. Since "modern rhythm dance" became a compulsory subject in Japanese elementary and middle schools in 2008, the popularity of hip-hop dance has soared. Many specific dance schools have witnessed a 20% increase in membership since dance was included in the mandatory curriculum.

STEM subjects—Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics—are also very important for Japanese students. Their curriculum is designed to equip students with the ability to think critically and solve problems by applying knowledge gained from scientific and mathematical learning experiences. For example, a classroom experiment using everyday items to teach students how sound is transmitted through a phone line helps them understand through trial and error what works and what doesn't.

Coding became a compulsory subject in Japanese elementary schools in 2020, so more and more children are learning this subject. However, the goal isn't to learn difficult programming languages or technical skills. Instead, it is about teaching students how information technology works and how to use it to contribute to society. Learning is no longer confined to the classroom; now, Japanese children are finding exciting ways to study outside of school, through modern learning experiences that offer them many opportunities to develop independent thinking skills, expression abilities, and creativity.

The enrollment rate for children in Japan's mandatory education program is nearly 100%. Mandatory education refers to the government and parents' responsibility to provide education to children from first grade to ninth grade at the middle school level. After graduating from middle school, mandatory education ends, and students can either enter the workforce or continue their academic path by attending a high school, technical college, or university. The Japanese education system values effort over inherited 'intelligence'. Their students have clear academic results and goals.

Teachers in Japan do not focus on lecturing but instead encourage students to engage in discussions and teach each other what they have learned. Japan places high importance on intelligence and hard work. The combination of academic ethics and technology plays a key role in Japan’s education system. Japan boasts one of the highest rates of well-educated populations globally, with education accessible to all. About 85% of Japanese students feel happy in their classrooms. Approximately 91% of Japanese students say they never ignore their teachers and spend an average of 235 minutes per week in regular math classes (compared to the global average of 218 minutes). If there’s one area Japan excels in, it’s mathematics.

The National Center Test for University Admissions is a standardized examination used by both public and private universities in Japan. It takes place annually on the weekend in mid-January over two days. Due to being held in mid-winter, snowstorms have occasionally delayed the exam in certain regions, but typically, the test begins and ends nearly simultaneously nationwide. The center exam has evolved into a nationwide phenomenon in Japan, with media coverage and newspapers publishing the exam questions. For many candidates, this exam determines whether they will enter university or have to wait another year for the next test.

As the exam occurs only once a year and given the high competition for entrance to top universities and colleges in Japan, it has become a subject of intense scrutiny. Additionally, strict rules regarding lateness and absenteeism are enforced, with students being disqualified from taking the exam except in exceptional cases such as train delays. The exam is conducted by the National Center for University Entrance Examinations, an Independent Administrative Institution (IAI). Separate tests are given for each subject, each with multiple-choice questions. The exams adhere to curriculum guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

By the end of the Edo period and into the Meiji era, Japan began adopting Western ideas. The military was one of the first areas to undergo transformation, with soldiers starting to carry Dutch-style backpacks. These backpacks, known as randoseru, became the primary luggage for infantry. In 1885, Gakushuuin, a school for the Japanese aristocracy, proposed using these backpacks. In 1887, the crown prince of the time wore one of these backpacks to the school as a tribute to Japanese soldiers.

Although the backpacks quickly became a fashion item among the upper class, randoseru never became widely popular due to their expensive price. By the time of World War II, furoshiki, a type of cloth used for wrapping goods, was sewn into shoulder bags. As the economy grew, students across Japan began adopting the randoseru tradition. The randoseru, like many elements of Japanese culture, represents a carefree, innocent childhood and tradition in Japan. Nearly every child owns one of these backpacks.

The traditional colors of the backpacks — black for boys and red for girls — along with their iconic shape and design, are gradually evolving, but they remain almost unchanged. The tradition of these backpacks has lasted for centuries, much like some other school traditions that may persist for many more years.

Japan is among the 1/4 of countries with the lowest education expenditure as a percentage of GDP in OECD nations. In 2018, Japan spent 4% of its GDP on education from elementary to university level, compared to the OECD average of 4.9%. On the other hand, 30% of the education costs in Japan are paid by individuals, whereas the OECD average is 16%. Regarding higher education spending, the respective percentages are 66% and 31%. In Japan, public university students must pay ¥820,000 in their first year, while tuition for private universities is ¥1,310,000. Many students have no choice but to rely on student loans to cover tuition and living expenses.

Japan does not invest heavily in its education system. This figure is less than a percentage point lower than other developed nations and reflects Japan's frugal spending. For example, the Japanese government invests in simpler school buildings rather than decorative ones. The country also requires textbooks with soft covers and fewer administrators on campus. Ultimately, students and faculty handle school cleaning, so janitors are unnecessary. The Japanese government also abolished free education programs for public high schools and imposes income limits for tuition fees.

Becoming a teacher in Japan is extremely difficult, but it comes with a wealth of benefits. Teachers are often well-paid, supported, and respected. They undergo intensive training and must pass a highly competitive exam, with only a small percentage succeeding in becoming a teacher. Their education continues as they become teachers, with additional summer and after-school classes. There are around 900,000 teachers in Japan. A 2006 survey by the Ministry of Education revealed that public school teachers work an average of 11 hours a day and earn a monthly salary of ¥410,000. Public sector jobs are more attractive compared to private sector positions.

Passing the prefectural exam is highly competitive due to the scarcity of teaching positions. A new public school teacher must pass prefectural exams, with a passing rate of 1/8.3 (5.3 for elementary teachers, 11.8 for junior high school teachers, and 13.9 for high school teachers). Only 24.7% of new teachers are recent university graduates. The competition has become more intense due to the rising popularity of teaching jobs during tough economic times. Furthermore, teachers are highly respected and enjoy greater professional prestige than most manual labor workers. They are addressed honorifically as “sensei,” much like medical doctors, politicians, and professors.

One of the most prominent differences between Japanese elementary schools and those in other countries is the strong focus on ethics and morality. While courses on basic skills like reading and writing are also included, the top priority remains the development of moral character. Ethics is treated as a separate subject with its own textbooks and allotted time. This is not about telling students what to do, but about fostering a discussion on moral challenges. Students are taught that there are no absolute right or wrong answers, much like in real life. Starting in the 2018 academic year, ‘dotoku’ (moral education) became an official subject in elementary and junior high schools, moving beyond the non-graded ‘school activities’ it was previously.

Moral education is an essential part of Japan’s educational system. According to Japan's Ministry of Education, the country’s goal is to “cultivate the students’ moral character, including moral thinking, judgment, participation, and attitude” through all school activities. This includes tidiness, mindfulness, hard work, fairness, and harmony in relationships and with nature. The guidelines state that at least one hour per week is dedicated to moral education. The Japanese want schools to teach life lessons, not just dry theories from textbooks. Students can write research papers on various ethical topics and express their views in each assignment.

In Japanese schools, students do not take any exams until they reach grade 4 or the age of 10. And there’s a very good reason for this. Japan believes that the goal in the first three years of schooling is not to evaluate children’s knowledge or academic performance but to cultivate good behavior and develop their character. Japanese educators focus on teaching conduct before academics. During the first three years of school, Japanese children are taught to respect others, treat animals and nature kindly.

At a very young age, they also learn generosity, kindness, and empathy. Other skills taught during this time include perseverance, self-control, and fairness. While it might seem too early for children to learn all of these skills, the Japanese believe in instilling them early, which is why it’s no surprise that they excel in areas such as Mathematics, Science, and technological advancement. While most schools worldwide begin their academic year in September or October, in Japan, the school year starts in April. The first day of school often coincides with one of nature's most beautiful phenomena – the blooming of cherry blossoms.

Many Japanese schools do not hire janitors or custodians, as is the norm in many countries. Instead, most of the cleaning tasks are carried out by the students themselves. One of the unique traditions in Japanese education is that students perform o-soji (cleaning). This is one of the few aspects that people outside of Japan often associate with Japanese schools. These schools do have staff who are not teachers, known as yomushuji or shuji. They have several duties, including acting as crossing guards when school lets out, but their main responsibility is cleaning and maintenance.

In a typical school, cleaning starts after lunch and lasts for 20 minutes, after which the students enjoy a break. This cleaning occurs four times a week (students do not clean on Wednesdays or Saturdays). On the last day of each term, there is a longer cleaning session called osoji (big cleaning). During the cleaning time, cheerful marching music (“o-soji song” or some lively classical tunes) plays through the public address system. For example, each class is responsible for cleaning its own classroom and two other areas of the school: the nurse’s office and the library. The classroom is divided into small groups, with each student assigned to clean one of the designated areas.

Lunches in Japanese schools are often the envy of the world, regarded as a model for nutritious school meals, and the school lunch system is strictly regulated. Parents may pay around 250 yen (2.5 USD) per day for preschool and elementary students, and around 300-450 yen (3-4.5 USD) for junior and senior high school students. School lunches in Japan are carefully planned and do not include any “fast food” options. The lunch menu is typically created by a nutritionist and prepared on-site, with a strong focus on nutritional value and meal balance.

Typical meals consist of vegetable and tofu soup, noodles, rice, salad and vegetables, fish, meat, curry with various sauces, fruit, tea, and a bottle of milk. There is always fruit, a cup of hot tea (such as green tea or roasted green tea – hōjicha), and cold milk in a glass bottle. Salads and vegetables are seasonal and are always creatively combined so as not to repeat. Lunches in Japanese schools are served by the students. Students take great pride in serving lunch and often look forward to their turn.

Lunch is usually served in the homeroom, rather than in a cafeteria-style setting. Japanese students also wear white coats during lunch (similar to outerwear) to protect their clothes, white hats to keep their hair in place, and cloth masks for hygiene. Each student washes their hands thoroughly before the meal at a washbasin in each classroom.