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Answers in each category are based on the Japan Issue knowledge base, which draws on public sources such as Wikipedia. Each answer shows its source.
Education is compulsory at the elementary and lower secondary levels for a total of nine years. The system is managed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan.
SourceThe provided text does not specify the exact duration of compulsory education. It only mentions that lower secondary school covers years seven through nine and that upper-secondary school is not compulsory.
SourceHigh school age students at colleges of technology acquire trade and technical skills through work-based learning, apprenticeships, and work placement programs. These schools allow students to gain job skills without the intense pressure of the university admissions process. Many students attend specifically to get professional certifications.
SourceThe academic year in Japan begins in April. At the primary and secondary level, the school year consists of two or three terms separated by short holidays and a six-week summer break. Universities typically have two semesters, with the second starting in September or October.
SourceSome ALTs have set, paid holidays during the spring, summer, and winter school vacations. However, some ALTs are not paid between semesters or for national holidays and do not receive paid vacation leave. Most JET Programme ALTs are required to work through the school holidays.
SourceApproximately 8% of junior high students attend private junior high schools. Private primary schools are considerably more expensive, with an average annual cost of ¥1,295,156 compared to ¥450,340 for public schools. While public high schools do not collect tuition fees, private and national high schools are free in certain prefectures including Tokyo.
SourcePublic high schools have not collected tuition fees since 2010, and private or national high schools are free in certain prefectures like Tokyo. For higher education, the average costs including tuition, fees, and living expenses were ¥1.4 million per year in 1986. Some students manage these costs by working part-time or taking out government-supported loans.
SourceInternational schools in Japan are schools where classes are generally taught in English. Many are classified as kakushu gakko or miscellaneous schools rather than officially accredited ichijoko. This means attending these schools does not fulfill Japan's compulsory education requirements.
SourceDuring the 1960s and 1970s, university admissions became intensely selective and competitive due to rapid economic growth. This intense competition for university places led to significant stress among students by the 1980s. In response, the government implemented reforms to reduce the academic burden and promote more holistic education.
SourceWayne State University's Automotive Safety Research Group is testing ways to improve seat belt effectiveness and general vehicle safety apparatuses. Additionally, Wayne State's Bioengineering Center is involved in this research.
SourceCurrent educational policies focus on internationalising higher education through initiatives such as accepting more international students. This is being done as the nation has a rapidly ageing and shrinking population.
SourceSome students work part-time or take out loans. These loans can be obtained through the government-supported Japan Scholarship Association, local governments, non-profit corporations, and other institutions.
SourceHigher education in Japan is strictly provided by universities and junior colleges. Universities offer four-year training leading to a bachelor's degree, and some provide six-year programs leading to a professional degree.
SourceUpper-secondary schools offer technical and vocational courses for students expecting to find employment after graduation. For students with disabilities, training emphasizes vocational education to help them become as independent as possible within society. The specific training varies considerably depending on the student's disability.
SourceThe simple Japanese postal mark predates mass literacy in the nation. It is still used to this day.
SourceJapanese students consistently achieve high rankings in reading, mathematics, and sciences according to OECD evaluations. In the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment, Japan ranked eighth globally. This performance is supported by a relatively high expenditure per student.
SourceYes, some weekend schools also serve high school and preschool/kindergarten. These schools are primarily designed to help children of Japanese residents residing in foreign countries re-adapt to the Japanese educational system. Students are generally taught using the age-appropriate Japanese curriculum specified by MEXT.
SourceThe misuse of physical restraint in special education settings has resulted in severe injury, trauma to students, and a lack of education. It can be dangerous in unexpected ways and has resulted in many deaths. Restraining someone against their will is generally a crime unless it is explicitly sanctioned by law.
SourceThe Kyoto University Digital Library offers image files of rare materials related to the culture of Japan. These rare materials exhibitions can be accessed through their digital platform.
SourceDuring the Joseon dynasty, private tutoring and village schools known as seodang were primary means of receiving an education. Private academies called seowon also emerged as rural retreats and centers of learning. These methods were often used to prepare students for competitive examinations as a means of social mobility.
SourceForeigners who come to Japan as students are registered under a student visa, which provides them with student residency status. Most of these students typically return to their home country after one valid period of three to four years. Very few students choose to extend their visa.
SourceGuest houses in Japan are places to stay that often have convenient locations in cities or nearby suburbs. They may offer shared dormitory-style accommodation and usually do not provide meals. Most guest houses also have a curfew.
SourceThe average annual cost for private primary school attendance was ¥1,295,156 per student as of 2013. This is roughly thrice the ¥450,340 cost for a public school.
SourceThe site references a book titled A history of the Korean language by Ki-Moon Lee and S. Robert Ramsey. This resource was published by Cambridge University Press in 2011.
SourceNHK E includes language courses as part of its structure, which is generally based on various educational programming. These programs are often made as cultural programs close to variety shows. For example, in Today's Menu, language courses and hobby programs are featured.
SourceThe site includes information regarding the Japan Automobile Research Institute (JARI). It also features content on advanced road technologies in Japan from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
SourceJapanese curry was used in school meals for the first time in 1948. The popularity of the dish among children increased after the introduction of Vermont Curry in 1963, which added a mild sweetness to the meal.
SourceSchool buses allow for the mass transportation of students and are designed to protect children with padding and structural integrity. Although they are considered safe for mass transit, this does not guarantee that students will be injury-free if an impact occurs. Some debates exist regarding seat belts, as they are sometimes believed to make recovering from a roll or tip harder for passengers.
SourceJapanese outcomes for high-level medical treatment of physical health are generally competitive with those of the US. Surgical outcomes tend to be better in Japan for most cancers, while overall survival tends to be longer in the US due to more aggressive chemotherapy use in late-stage cancers. Additionally, data shows that annual mortality for patients undergoing dialysis is lower in Japan compared to the US.
SourceThe Meiji government adopted a model influenced by Western countries like Great Britain, the United States, and France, but ultimately shifted to a strictly German-oriented model. Prussia served as the largest inspiration because its universities were considered innovative and its bureaucracy was dominated by law school graduates. This Prussian prototype served as the fundamental basis for the Japanese model to suit its national needs.
SourceA significant number of Japanese people aged 25 to 34 hold degrees in science and engineering. In 1990, engineering was one of the popular fields, enrolling 19% of all undergraduate students.
SourceThe number of junior high school teachers has changed little over the decades. There were 257,605 junior high school teachers in 1996, and there were 247,485 in 2023.
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