Understanding Japan’s Education System
January 10th, 2011Japan’s educational system is not so far away from that of the United States as to be unrecognizable, but there are some real differences. The basic structure of Japan’s educational system is somewhat different, as is its system of higher education and secondary (high school) education. What’s even more interesting, though, is that much of their system is voluntary, at least in comparison to that in the U.S.
The Structure of Education in Japan
In Japan, the educational system is organized in what is often referred to as a “top-down” approach. This simply is a bureaucratic distinction, meaning that the Ministry of Education, or Monbushu, is ultimately in charge of the system and of the nation’s curriculum. They set the policy and have ultimate control over what is taught and how. They also have influence on the guidelines and content of text books, and can control finances for both public and private institutions. This is a fair amount different from the United States where states and local school systems maintain much more control, with less falling to the power of the Federal government.
Other than the politics of the Japanese education system, though, there are other structural differences, and some similarities, too. This is a general overview of what the Japanese system of education looks like:
Elementary School - Compulsory Education. Elementary Education is the Japanese child’s first school experience. It begins roughly at age 6 to 7, and continues through about age 12. This one schooling block is most comparable to the U.S. elementary school education, that covering grades one through six. Currently Japanese children do not attend Kindergarten, although that is under review.
Lower Secondary School – Compulsory Education. After their compulsory education at the Elementary level, children in Japan attend a Lower Secondary School, which roughly compares to the American Middle School or Junior High School. Children ages 12 to 14 or 15 attend this schooling.
These two compulsory blocks are the only mandatory education in Japan, and after completion children are not required by law to continue on, but the vast majority of them do. Approximately 97% of Japanese youngsters go on to the next level, which is no longer free (but may be public or private) and is paid for by the family of the child. About 55% attend the next level at a private school.
Upper Secondary School. Students age 15 to 18 attend Upper Secondary School, which translates in the American education system to the U.S. High School.
Some students at this point choose to attend the College of Technology, spending about the next four years and earning about the equivalent of a U.S. Associate’s Degree.
Following Upper Secondary school, the Japanese have several options for continued education and graduate school. These levels are fairly comparable to the U.S. system, ranging in levels from Undergraduate (like an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree) to Master’s level and Doctorate level degrees. There is also a comparable level for each of these within the Japanese National Post-Secondary Education, including advanced education at the National Academy and in the National Defense Academy.
Mary E. Ward enjoys writing about the multitude of ways to find schools offering a master of education administration.
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