10 Amazing Study Facts You Must Know Before Studying in Japan

Facts in Japan

Study abroad is a life-changing experience. Exploring the cultures, customs, and backgrounds of different nations provides a student a contemporary perspective of the globe. International students have the opportunity to find friends and colleagues from a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds. As a result, they gain the capability of alluring and appreciating the best part of foreign cultures. The experience that people gain while studying abroad can mold them into versatile human beings. They can interact with people of different backgrounds. Undoubtedly, Japan is one of the most alluring destinations to study abroad. As the attributes and essence that the Japanese can offer, other countries can’t. In this article, I am going to illustrate the 10 interesting study facts in Japan that you should know before studying in Japan. Hence, if you are interested to pursue education in Japan then reading this article is a must for you.

1. Equality in Education

One of the most outstanding study facts in Japan is equality in education. Japan ranks highly in providing equal educational opportunities for students without any discrimination in socioeconomic status. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Japan ranks as one of the highest in education equity. In Japan, only nine percent of the diversion in student performance results from student’s socioeconomic backgrounds. Comparatively, the average variation in the OECD is 14%, while the average variation in the U.S. is 17%.

2. Percentage of Japanese Students Going to School

Almost 90 percent of students attend public schools through the ninth grade, but over 29 percent of students go to private high schools. The percentage of national funding for high schools is quite low, with prefectures and municipalities assuming most of the costs for public high schools.

3. Infrastructure of Education System

The basic school system in Japan is composed of elementary school (lasting six years), middle school (three years), high school (three years), and university (four years). Education is compulsory only for the nine years of elementary and middle school, but 98.8% of students go on to high school.

4. Education Funds

Japan funds its public schools through a combination of support from the national, prefectural, and municipal governments. In public compulsory education, prefectures pay two-thirds of teachers’ salaries, and the national government pays one-third. The initial budget of the national government’s general account for education and science expenditures was set at around 5.51 trillion Japanese yen in 2020, down from approximately 6.3 trillion yen in the previous year.

5. Teacher Mobility

Japan assigns teachers to schools in a different way than most education systems. Unlike most countries, individual schools do not have the power to hire teachers. Instead, prefectures assign teachers to the schools and students who need them most. At the beginning of teachers’ careers, they shift schools every three years. This helps teachers work in various environments instead of staying in one socioeconomic group of schools. As teachers advance in their careers, they shift around less.

6. No Janitors Required

In Japan, schools do not depend on janitors for cleanliness. Japanese schools allow time for cleaning every day named “souji”. Some students wear a tenugui (bandanna) on their heads and before the actual cleaning starts, they sit in silence for a couple of minutes to meditate and prepare their minds and bodies, called “mokuso”. Students, teachers, school staff, and even the highest-ranking school leaders such as the vice-principal and principal all join together in cleaning in their own designated areas.

7. Same Meal For Every Student

One of the most interesting facts about Japan is that everyone consumes the same meal in Japanese public schools. In Japan, students get training to eat the same kind of meal (regardless of their preference) and finish it in the allowed time. Most Japanese public schools do not have cafeterias to purchase meals, so students don’t get the chance to buy their own meals. But homemade lunch boxes are allowed for certain occasions, as long as the contents comply with the school’s rules. However, “bento” lunches do not comprise unhealthy foods or sweets. Their homemade lunches usually consist of rice, vegetables, some kind of fish, seaweed, and sometimes chicken.

8. Teacher’s Recruitment Process

The teaching profession in Japan is highly selective at the hiring phase. Those who do get hired must first pass a rigorous set of school board exams and evaluations. All teachers must hold a degree from an institution of higher education. A foreigner can become an English teacher in Japan. However, English teachers in Japan must be able to prove that they have a Bachelor’s degree to get a visa. Many schools will want to see a photocopy of your diploma before they even interview you. The best part is that your degree can be in anything.

9. Traditional Teaching Method

One of the rare facts of Japan is that in spite of being one of the most progressive countries in science and technology, Japan does not use much technology in schools. Many schools give priority to pen and paper. To save money, schools use electric fans instead of air conditioning and kerosene heaters instead of central heating. However, technology is now slowly being introduced into classrooms with more use of the internet and computers for assignments.

10. After School Club Activities

Students who are members of sports clubs participate in club activities both before and after school every day. Some of these include sports clubs where the children have to run several kilometers a day to stay in shape. This usually results in tired, sleepy, and not to mention sweaty students during class as they are all expected to wake up very early and return home late to fulfill their club activity commitments. It sounds like a lot of hard work as persistence, commitment, and determination are necessary. Clubs are also extremely popular and most students are involved in something or another. They are extremely proud of the club and work hard to meet up the expectations of the concerned authority.

What is a fun fact about Japan that many people don't know?

Japanese have a meat dish made of horses. That popular regional dish is called Basashi, consisting of raw horsemeat slices with ginger and onions.

Which is the most unbelievable fact about japan?

While most of the countries have solid landmass, Japan is actually a group of islands that form a country. That is why the Japanese are well known as an island nation. The Japanese archipelago consists of 6,852 islands. Only 430 of those islands are inhabited, on the other hand, most of the islands are considered ghosts. For example, Gunkanjima, also known as Hashima or ‘Ghost’ Island.

Is Japan foreigner-friendly?

Certainly. Japan is a friendly and welcoming country. Most of the first-timer visitors are amazed at how polite, courteous, and gracious the society of Japan is!

Endnote

To envisage the above writing, I would like to state that Japan is the third strongest economy across the globe. As a consequence, life is very comfortable there. The higher education system is exemplary in the world. Japan has one of the world’s best-educated populations with 100% enrollment in compulsory grades and zero illiteracy. Excellent safety, accessibility, and high quality of life standards make Japan a top location for students. International students are usually attracted by Japan’s high educational standards and rich cultural heritage. Studying abroad in Japan implies that you will further your studies in a well-rounded education system, experience a unique new culture, and gain an international perspective. Hence, if you fascinate to study in Japan, then this article is of profound knowledge for you. Don’t forget to share these study facts of Japan with your friends. For more such updates, wander here regularly. Have a good day.

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