Elementary and Secondary Education

In 1876, with the passing of the Haitorei Edict that banned the wearing of swords, feudalism came to an end and Japan fully embraced Western learning. Ironically, it was the fear of Western colonization that convinced enlightened leaders to embrace Western knowledge in order to insure Japan’s autonomy. First time visitors to Japan are surprised to see the Romanized English signs and a Japanese population with basic knowledge of English. Japanese students take English language courses from grade seven to the final year of high school, and English words have crept into their everyday language.

Japan boasts one of the highest literacy rates in the world, with the adult literacy rate at 99% out of a total population of 127.5 million people (July 2006 figures). After the second world war, Japan’s educational system was changed and is now made up of six years of elementary school, three years of junior and three years of senior high school, and four years of university or two years of junior college.

The Japanese educational system has a great impact on children during their formative years. On average, they will spend 240 days a year in school and about 60% of students attend “cram” (juku, yobiko) schools at the end of the day.

When deciding on the time of year for a school visit to Japan, please keep in mind that the Japanese school year begins in April and consists of three terms that are broken by short holidays in the spring and winter. Summer holidays are only one month in August; therefore, early July is an ideal month for Canadian students to see a school in session. Please consult sources for specific National Holidays.