This comprehensive study of the Japanese education system follows the Japanese child from the kindergarten, through the progressively more arduous and competitive environments of the elementary, middle and high schools, to the relative relaxation, even hedonism, of university life. Drawing on numerous surveys and on the author's personal experience, it provides a wealth of information on teaching methodologies, discipline, class sizes, the school day, assessment and the national curriculum. It also examines the role of the central Ministry of Education and the local boards in administering education throughout the country, and outlines and assesses the government's recent programs of educational reform. The behavior, attitudes and expectations of pupils and parents are discussed in detail, and placed within their political, social and historical context, revealing the complex cultural assumptions determining learning and socialization in Japan. This study thus contributes to the efforts of educators and sociologists to understand and evaluate different approaches to education in diverse cultures, increasingly important in the global information age. It shows how the American and Japanese education systems are based on fundamentally different concepts of society: democratic individualism and hierarchic collectivism respectively. While discussing the positive and negative effects of each extreme, it suggests that American educators might learn from a system in which truancy, insolence, violence and drug abuse are comparatively rare. However, the study shows how the traditional ideals of Japanese education - unquestioning acceptance, self-sacrifice, and respect for superiors - face serious challenges in a time of globalization, and moral, social and cultural change.

Presents a profile of the Japanese educational system and compares and contrasts it with the American system. The objective is not to advocate the replication of the Japanese educational system and practices, but to promote a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of both systems. Charts and figures.

This book explores British reflections of Japanese education between 1858 and 1914, by referring to accounts by British observers, derived from documentary sources such as newspapers, journal articles, published books, and official reports. Hiraoka argues that British attitudes and comments on Japanese education reflect concerns about their own education system. International economics and politics of the time, as well as the voices of the Japanese, are also taken into account. British interpretations of the advantages of Japanese education are explained with two seemingly contradictory views: traditions inherited in Japan, and modern institutions newly introduced using the Western model. The book illustrates how this dual view of Japan affected the rise and fall of British interest in Japanese education over half a century. It also explores a broad range of phenomena – educational reforms, legislation and practice, science networks, exhibitions, international trade, and military affairs – to observe how Japanese education was viewed by the British. It consults a wide range of primary sources, most of which are published or digitally archived. Shedding new light on the transnational history of the educational relationship between Japan and Britain, this book will be an attractive base for future researchers in the fields of history of education, cultural history, and comparative education.

Japan is an island nation located in East Asia, comprising a group of approximately 6,852 islands. Honshu, which is the largest and most populous island in Japan, is home to the capital city, Tokyo. Japan has a rich cultural heritage that dates back thousands of years, with unique customs, practices, and traditions that continue to be celebrated today. Japanese society is known for its emphasis on respect for authority, politeness, and harmony. In terms of economy, Japan is one of the world's most advanced societies and a major economic power. It is known for its technologically advanced manufacturing and service industries, as well as its world-renowned brands like Toyota, Sony, and Nintendo. The country has made significant advancements in innovation, science, and technology, including the development of robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence. Despite its impressive growth and economic achievements, Japan continues to face challenges such as an aging population and low birth rates.

Presents a large representative sample of the literature on Japanese education with an emphasis on its psychosocial aspects. Many discussions compare the Japanese educational system with that of the United States and other countries. The citations cover most of the 1990s including a few earlier and later references. Includes extensive discussions about Japanese educational reform movements and their consequences. Also cites published and unpublished dissertations and theses. Updates the last comprehensive English language bibliography on Japanese education published by Ulrich Teichler in 1974. The citations were taken from many online databases. Suitable for students, teachers, scholars and the general public.

Explores the implications of a national US curriculum through the study of Japanese education. It suggests that the US educational system lacks certain organizational mechanisms that support student achievement and would facilitate teacher involvement in the educational reform process.

A study of postwar education in Japan which is intended to shed light on the development of Japanese educational policy. Major educational documents are included, some taken from records of the American occupation forces and others being original translations from Japanese sources.