Japan
"Land of the Rising Sun"
Quick Profile
Ethnic Groups
- Statistical authorities do not collect information on ethnicity, only nationality.
Aging, Shrinking Population
- Life Expectancy - 80 years (men), 87 (women)
- Low Birthrate
- By 2050, the population of Japan will go down by more than 25 percent
- The Result: Visa Reforms in 2015
- Healthcare and medical fees are regulated by the government (government pays 70%, Patients pay 30%)
Gender Gap
- Only 69% of women are in the workforce
- Historically, women stay home and prepare children for their exams
Geography
- 6, 852 islands
- Pacific Ring of Fire
- Densely Packed Population
- Unsuitable for agriculture and industry
Economy
- Trade Relationships: Runs deficits
- At times, strained relationship with China
- Third Largest Economy Worldwide
- Many recent recessions (4 recessions since 2008)
History
- Admiral Perry and "the black ships of evil mien (appearance)"
- New centralized government with emperor
- Led to new educational era
Education
- Placed near the top with national achievement
- Teachers carry high status: Highest paid civil servants & Highly selective process
- Merit-based belief: Determined by achievement and effort
- 99% Literacy Rate (15 and older)
- High value placed on acceptance and support by teachers and family
- Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- Curriculum demands mastery (rote learning) and problem solving
- Reforms:
- reduction in the number of school hours
- reductions of the number of hours devoted to academic subjects (later changed)
- creation of an integrated studies course
- No tracking, streaming, or skipping grades
- Students are not held back
- English instruction begins in fifth grade
- "If you do not pass an exam, you cannot go anywhere, even high school.”
- Japanese spend less than many other nations on their schools
- School administration is kept at a minimum
- Students who are ahead are expected to help those who are behind
Japan & The U.S. : Comparatively
What can we learn from each other?
The shared belief that education is the key to the future!
- In Japan, students are supported at home and teachers are top notch.
Working for Merit!
- The attitude and value of working hard and taking challenges has been successful in Japan.
Japan’s dedication to lifetime employment
What can be valued more: Achievement or Creativity?
- In Japan, achievement is valued as well as the success of the group.
- In the US, creativity is valued as well as the individual.