By: Kelsey Williams

1. The Education System of Japan By: Kelsey Williams ((Japan, 2013))

2. Japan is made up of four large, main islands and 3,000 smaller islands. • The larger islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu. • It is mountainous, but only 13% of this area can be cultivated by the people. ("Japan," 2013) ("Japan," 2013)

3. Japan is located in east Asia. • It is a very populous country. • The current population is 126, 995, 411 people. (Nippon, 2013) (GEA)

4. Government of Japan • Japan’s form of government is a constitutional monarchy. • The parliament of Japan is called the Diet. • The Diet consists of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. • There is an emperor, but he has very little power. • The prime minister, who is head of the cabinet of ministers, has the sole power of Japan. ("Japanese education in," 2005)

5. Economy • Manufacturing and labor force is a big strength of Japan’s economy, although they have little natural resources. • Rice is Japan’s main product of agriculture. • Robotics seems to be the drive of the future economic growth of Japan. ("Explore japan: economy," 2013) ("Money: Anorak news," 2011)

6. The Education System • Japanese students attend 6 years of elementary school, 3 years of junior high, and 3 years of high school. • The Ministry of Education is in control of the entire education system. • There is a 100% enrollment rate of the mandatory grade levels. • English is taught in most schools at lower grades, and is now mandatory in 5th and 6th grade. (Abe, 2013)

7. The School Year • Japan uses a year round school schedule. • Summer breaks are 6 weeks. • Winter and spring break are 2 weeks. • Students are often assigned work during breaks. ("Education in japan," 2013) ("Chinese, japanese students," 2008)

8. An Average School Day • Students attend school on weekdays. • The average school day is 6 hours. • After school, students have plenty of homework and drills. • Each class has it’s very own classroom where they learn all subjects. • Moving from class to class is not typical. • There are no more than 40 students in one class. • Most junior high schools require uniforms. ("Education in japan," 2013)

9. Japanese Classrooms (“Disaster warning,” 2011) (Cassidy, Japanese classroom)

10. Japanese Schools • Japan has free, public elementary and middle schools that accept everyone. • There are also private schools that require tuition. • High schools require many fees to be accepted such as an entrance exam fee and a one time admission. • Each school requires fees for books and lunch. ("Cost for educating," 2011)

11. Educators of Japan • More than 90% of teachers in Japan have a four year college degree. • 6% of teachers only have a two year degree. • Each level of education requires different certification. • The higher the level of education, the higher the degree is that is required. • The first class certificate is now what is preferred, which requires a bachelor’s degree ("Japanese education: teachers," )

12. Mission of Education • Education is essential to building character through unique personality development, improvement of abilities, acquisition of independence and lifelong pursuit of a happy life. At the same time, education takes on a mission to nurture the citizens who form the country and society. Education also empowers us to sustain a democratic society. Furthermore, throughout the history of mankind, cultures and civilizations have been transmitted from one generation to another through the intermediation of education, and have evolved into a richer state. Such role of education is universal regardless of how our society changes in the future. ("Reports & statistics," 2013)

13. The Vision on Japanese Education • Education shall aim for the full development of personality and strive to nurture the citizens, sound in mind and body, who are imbued with the qualities necessary for those who form a peaceful and democratic state and society. ("Reports & statistics," 2013)

14. Sources • Abe, N. (2013). The japanese education system: school life in japan. Retrieved from http://japanese.about.com/od/japaneselessons/a/061000.htm • Cassidy, T. (Photographer). (2005). Japanese classroom [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:JapaneseClassroom2.jpg • Chinese, Japanese students spend communication day together. (2008). Culture & EDU. Retrieved from http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/15/content_7793129.htm • (2011). Cost for educating a child in japan. All in japan:information about culture in japan, Retrieved from http://www.allinjapan.org/cost-for-educating-a-child-in-japan/

15. Sources (continued) • (Education in japan. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.japanesesearch.com/education-japan/ • Explore japan: economy and industry. (2013). Retrieved from http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/economy/ • Japanese education in the 21st century. (2005). Retrieved from http://www.usjp.org/jpeducation_en/jpEdSystem_en.html • Japan. (2013). (Master's thesis, California state university ), Available from Channel Islands. • (2013). Japan. Operation world: the definitive prayer guide to every nation, Retrieved from http://www.operationworld.org/country/japa/owtext.html • Majirox News. Disaster warning system to be placed at schools nationwide. (2011)

16. Sources (continued) • Ministry of education, culture, sports, science, and technology-japan, (2013). Reports & statistics. Retrieved from website: http://www.mext.go.jp/english/a02.htm • Ministry of internal affairs and communications, Statistics bureau. (2008). Japan. Retrieved from website: http://www.stat.go.jp/english/info/index.htm • Money: Anorak news. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.anorak.co.uk/money/page/30/ • Nippon. (2013). Japa. In Encyclopedia of the nations. Advameg, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Asia-and-the-Pacific/Japan.html • U.S. Department of Education , (n.d.). Japanese education: teachers. Retrieved from website: http://members.tripod.com/h_javora/jed4.htm