Education in Japan
Education in Japan is a system that is highly centralized and uniform, with education being compulsory for nine years. The system is divided into elementary school, junior high school, high school, and university.
Pronunciation
In English: /ˌɛdʒʊˈkeɪʃən ɪn ˈdʒæpən/ In Japanese: [ɛdɯ̟ᵝkʲa̠ɕʲõ̞ɴ ĩɴ d͡ʑa̠p̚pã̠ɴ]
Etymology
The term "Education in Japan" is a direct translation of the Japanese term "日本の教育" (Nihon no kyōiku), where "日本" (Nihon) means Japan, "の" (no) is a possessive particle, and "教育" (kyōiku) means education.
Elementary School
Elementary school in Japan, also known as shōgakkō, is compulsory for all children aged 6 to 12. The curriculum includes subjects such as Japanese, mathematics, science, social studies, music, crafts, physical education, and home economics.
Junior High School
Junior high school, or chūgakkō, is also compulsory and covers grades 7 to 9. The curriculum is similar to that of elementary school, but with the addition of English as a mandatory subject.
High School
High school, or kōkō, is not compulsory but is attended by the majority of students. It covers grades 10 to 12 and prepares students for university entrance exams. The curriculum is more specialized than in junior high school, with students able to choose from academic or vocational tracks.
University
University education in Japan typically lasts four years for undergraduate programs, two years for master's programs, and three to five years for doctoral programs. Admission is based on university entrance exams, and the curriculum varies depending on the field of study.
Related Terms
- Compulsory education
- Elementary school
- Junior high school
- High school
- University
- Entrance examination
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