Japan’s School System
The Japanese school system is primarily divided into four stages: elementary school, junior high school, high school, and university. Compulsory education covers elementary and junior high school, but the vast majority of students continue on to high school. Approximately 60% of students advance to university.
In recent years, the number of students who do not attend school has been increasing in Japan. As a result, more students are choosing alternative options, such as correspondence high schools, which offer more flexible forms of education compared to traditional high schools. (I will introduce the topic of non-attendance in a separate article.)
Below is a general outline of the Japanese school system:
| Age: 6 years old – 12 years old | Elementary school |
| Age: 12 years old – 15 years old | Junior high school |
| Age: 15 years old – 18 years old | High school |
| Age: 18 years old – 22 years old | University |
Elementary School
Subjects: Japanese, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Music, Arts and Crafts, Physical Education, Moral Education, Home Economics, and English.
Most elementary schools in Japan are public, but some students attend private schools after passing entrance exams.
Except for some private and national elementary schools, most children attend school in casual clothing and carry a “randoseru,” a traditional Japanese school backpack.
(In the image on the right, the girl is carrying a randoseru.)
In terms of academics, developing skills such as reading, writing, and arithmetic is emphasized. One homeroom teacher is responsible for most subjects. Additionally, as the number of dual-income households increases, elementary schools also play a role in teaching children basic manners and discipline.
However, issues such as the heavy workload on teachers and the resulting decline in people choosing the teaching profession are becoming significant challenges in Japan today.
Junior High School
Subjects: Japanese, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, English, Music, Art, Health and Physical Education, Technology and Home Economics, and Moral Education.
About 90% of junior high schools in Japan are public, but there are also national and private junior high schools.
The main differences between junior high school and elementary school are:
- Regular exams are held (midterm and final exams are conducted each semester).
- Exam scores and daily learning attitudes are graded and reflected in a report used for high school entrance exams.
- Each subject is taught by a specialized teacher under a subject-based teacher system.
In some cases, students must pass entrance exams to enroll in certain junior high schools. Examples include private junior high schools, national junior high schools, and combined junior and senior high schools, which offer a continuous six-year program.
Students are required to wear school-designated uniforms as part of their daily school life.
Additionally, there are “special support classes” for students with disabilities. Students with intellectual or developmental disabilities may attend these classes instead of the regular curriculum.
Cram School
In Japan, elementary, junior high, and high school students often attend cram schools after their regular school hours. I am currently working as a teacher at one of these schools.
Cram schools are places where students study in the evening or at night to prepare for entrance exams or improve their scores on regular school tests.
There are two main types of cram schools:
Group Cram Schools
These schools focus heavily on preparing students for entrance exams. Classes are lecture-based, where teachers deliver lessons tailored specifically to exam preparation, and students primarily listen and take notes. The curriculum is generally pre-set and designed to cover the subjects required for exams, and lessons progress according to this schedule.
Individualized Cram Schools
These schools create customized curriculums based on each student’s needs. Instruction is conducted one-on-one or in small groups, with one teacher and a few students. Goals vary widely, such as improving scores on regular school tests or strengthening weak subjects. In most cases, students and parents choose the subjects and the number of lessons to attend.