Republic of the Philippines

University of Southeastern Philippines

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Advance Studies
Inigo St., Obrero Davao City
“Center of Excellence in Teacher Education”

A Comparative Education Presented to the Faculty

of the College of Education

“EDUCATIONAL STRUCTURE OF JAPAN”

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Subject

EDD 319 - Comparative Administration

Submitted by:

FELIX D. RAMIREZ JR., EdD Student

Submitted to:

EDNA H. JALOTJOT
Professor

OCTOBER 2020
 JAPAN (NIHON)

The National Flag of Japan is a rectangular white

banner bearing a crimson-red disc at its center. In Japan
as Hinomaru (日の丸, the "circle of the sun"). It embodies
the country's sobriquet: “Land of the Rising Sun.”

Emperor Naruhito Imperial Seal Prime Minister Shenzo

Abe
Government
Japan has a constitutional monarchy, headed by an emperor. The current emperor

is Naruhito; he wields very little political power, serving primarily as the symbolic and

diplomatic leader of the country. The current Prime Minister is Shinzo Abe, political

leader of Japan is the Prime Minister, who heads the Cabinet. Japan's bicameral

legislature is made up of a 465-seat House of Representatives and a 242-seat House of

Councillors. Japan has a four-tier court system, headed by the 15-member Supreme

Court. History Overview of Japan

Jomon Period Nara Period Azuchi-Momoyama Showa Period

(300 BC) (710 - 784) Period (1573-1603) (1926 - 1989)
Yayoi Period Heian Period Edo Period Heisei Period
(300 BC - 250 AD) (794 - 1185) (1603 - 1868) (1989 - 2019)
Kofun Period Kamakura Period Meiji Period
(250 - 538) (1192 - 1333) (1868 - 1912)
Asuka Period Muromachi Period Taisho Period
(538 - 710) (1338 - 1573) (1912 - 1926)

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 Geography

The Japanese archipelago includes more than

3,000 islands, covering a total area of 377,835 square

kilometers (145,883 square miles). The four main

islands, from north to south, are Hokkaido, Honshu,

Shikoku, and Kyushu.

Japan is largely mountainous and forested, with arable land making up only

11.6 percent of the country. The highest point is Mount Fuji, at 3,776 meters (12,385

feet). The lowest point is Hachiro-gata, which sits at four meters below sea level (-12

feet). Positioned astride the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan features a number of

hydrothermal features such as geysers and hot springs. The country suffers frequent

earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.

Culture
Population
Early Japanese culture was heavily
In 2020 estimated population is at
influenced by China. During the Edo era,
126,476,461 people (UN data). The
Japan exercised a strict isolationist policy,
total land area is 364,555 Km2 (140,755
closing its doors to all relationships with the
sq. miles), 91.8% of the population
outside world. This cultivated a distinct
is urban (116,099,672 people in 2020).
Japanese culture. After the fall of that era in

Language 1868, Japan reversed this practice,

The national language is Japanese, adopting cultural practices from all over the

which is the primary spoken language world and mixing them with what was

across the country. established during the Edo era. Over the

 Kanji (Chinese characters) years, Western culture has influenced all

 Hiragana (Japanese alphabet) aspects of Japanese culture including art,

 Katakana (foreign words) lifestyle and food.

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EDUCATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (文部科学省,

Monbu-kagaku-shō), also known as MEXT, Monka-shō, is one of the eleven Ministries

of Japan that composes part of the executive branch of the Government of Japan. Their

goal is to improve the development of Japan in relation with the international

community. They are responsible for funding research under their jurisdiction, some of

which includes: children's health in relation to home environment, delta-sigma

modulations utilizing graphs, gender equality in sciences, and other general research for

the future. MEXT is the acronym of “Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and

Technology” taken from its abbreviation MECSST. Thus, MEXT divided into four

categories: (i) Education: Policy Bureau, Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau

and Higher Education Bureau. Technology: (ii) Science and Technology: Policy

Bureau, Research Promotion Bureau Research and Development Bureau. (iii) Sports:

Japan Sports Agency. (iv) and Culture: Agency for Cultural Affairs.

SCHOOL ORGANIZATION
Each school has a principal, a vice principal, teachers, a school nurse, and other

administration staff. As the chief executive, the principal assumes all responsibilities of

the school, including the courses provided and related administrative work. The vice

principal supports the principal to manage administrative affairs of the school and to be

in-charge of student’s educational activities and curriculum as well. Furthermore, in

order to ensure school’s smooth operation, teachers take on various responsibilities,

such as taking care of educational activities, students’ school life, and employment

guidance for students after graduation. Many schools also establish their own

committees, for example an International Exchange Promotion Committee, and others.

CURRICULUM OUTLINE

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 The Japanese school system primarily consists of six-year elementary schools,

three-year junior high schools and three-year high schools, followed by a two-or-three-

year junior colleges or a four-year colleges. Compulsory education lasts for 9 years

through elementary and junior high school. School exchanges during Japan Educational

Travel are mainly implemented in junior high and high schools. For physically or

mentally challenged students, there is a system called “Special Needs Education” to

support special students to develop their self-reliance and thus enhance their social

participation.

SCHOOL LIFE

Public schools in Japan have classes five days a week, from Monday to Friday.

There are also schools that have classes on Saturday. In junior high and high schools,

there are six class periods each day, typically lasting 50 minutes for each. After classes,

students clean the classrooms in shifts and then start their club activities. There are a

variety of clubs such as cultural and sports ones.

Academic Calendar

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 In principle, the school year begins in April and ends in March of the following

year. Most schools adopt a three-semester system, with the first semester from April to

August, the second semester from September to December, and the third semester

from January to March. There is also a summer break (from the end of July to the end

of August), a winter break (from the end of December to the beginning of January), and

a spring break (from the end of March to the beginning of April).

FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION

English is a compulsory subject in junior high and high schools. There are also

elementary schools that introduce English education from intermediate grade classes.

In some high schools, apart from English, students are also allowed to take courses in

Chinese, Korean, French, German, etc.

STUDENTS’ CLUB

Student clubs are a characteristic part in Japan’s school education. Under

teachers’ guidance, students with the same interests in sports, cultural activities, or

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 fields of study voluntarily gather together after classes and on days off. There are also

numerous student clubs revolving around Japanese traditional sports and culture, such

as judo, kendo (Japanese swordsmanship), sado (Japanese tea ceremony), kado

(Japanese flower arrangement), shodo (Japanese calligraphy), etc. Club activities also

provide students with the chance to participate in school exchange and friendly

matches.

2019: OVERVIEW OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE, SPORTS,

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

EDUCATION
 Promoting Educational Reform
Education  Promoting Lifelong Learning
Policy
Bureau  Promoting Learning in Local Communities

 Promoting Learning for Coexistence

 Developing "Competencies for living (Ikiru chikara)"
Elementary
and  Constructing Necessary Teaching Frameworks for Educators
Secondary  Work Style Reform of Schools
Education

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  Tuition Support for Children and Students
 Promoting Special Needs Education
 Promoting Information Education and Foreign Language Education
 Promoting Early Childhood Education
Bureau
 Enhancing School Textbooks
 Promoting a Flexible Education System Suitable for a New Era
 Enriching School Health Education
Reform of Upper Secondary School Education
Higher  Improving Undergraduate and Graduate Schools
Education  Scholarship Loan Programs
Bureau
 Promoting the Internationalization of Universities and Two-way Student
Exchanges.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
 Making Plans and Proposals for Basic Policies on Science and
Technology
 Conducting Research and Assessment on Science and Technology Policy
Science and
Technology  Nurturing Human Resources in Science and Technology-related Fields
Policy  Strategically Promoting International Activities in Science and Technology
Bureau
 Establishing a Systemic Virtuous Cycle of Human Resources, Knowledge,
and Capital for Innovation
Enhancing Research and Development Infrastructure
 Promoting Academic and Basic Research - Promoting Research and
Development in Life Sciences
Research  Promoting Research and Development in Information Science and
Promotion Technology
Bureau  Promoting Research and Development in Nanotechnology and Materials
Science
 Promoting Research and Development in the Fields of Elementary
Particles and Nuclear Physics
Research  Promoting Research and Development in the Space and Aviation Fields
and  Promoting Research and Development in the Nuclear Energy Field
Developmen  Promoting Research and Development in the Environment and Energy
t Bureau Fields

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  Promoting Research and Development in the Oceans and on Earth
 Promoting Research and Development in the Earthquake and Disaster
Prevention Fields
SPORTS
 Establishment of the Japan Sports Agency
 Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle through Sports
Japan  Promoting Para Olympics
Sports  Regional and Economic Revitalization through Sports
Agency  Enriching School Physical Education and School Sports Clubs
 Improving International Competitiveness
 International Exchange and Cooperation through Sports
CULTURE
 Comprehensively Promoting Culture and Art Policies
 Promoting Arts and Culture
Agency for
 Preservation and Utilization of Cultural Properties
Cultural
 Promoting International Cultural Exchanges and International Cooperation
Affairs
 Promoting Copyright Policies Responding to a New Era
 Promoting Japanese Language Policy and Policy on Japanese Language
Education for Foreigners

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 REGARDING THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION

The level of Japanese education is high even by world standards. In OECD’s

Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) aimed at fifteen-year-olds,

Japanese students recorded high levels of achievement, particularly in science related

areas. Educational activities outside of school also flourish, and programs leading to

advanced education are implemented.

Enrollment in high schools, the second-half of secondary education, reaches

over 90%, and the enrollments in college are also high reaching over 50%. Admission to

high schools and colleges is mainly through entrance exams, held from January to

March.

TIMSS Average Mathematics scores of 4 th grade in TIMSS Reading, Math & Science in 2013
2007

TIMSS – Performance in Math and Science TIMSS – Performance in Math, Science &
2012 Reading2012

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PISA 2012 results - how do scores compare by subject and country.

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 Data in Presentation of National Budget and Schools Budget

INSIGHTS

Philippine education is far beyond when it comes to academic and task

performances compare to Japan. Comprehending the promotions offered by the MEXT

is one of the best in the world. Japanese Government invested in education particularly

in science and technology for young researchers, innovations, inventions and

continuous development. Based on the results of TIMSS and PISA, Japan constantly on

the list of ten. In addition, there are twenty-five (25) Japanese Nobel Laureates in

different category such as: nine (9) in Physics, eight (8) in Chemistry, five (5) in

Medicine, two (2) in Literature, and one (1) in Peace.

I’ve realized that education here in our country is weak when it comes to reading,

mathematics and sciences. It is a reflection that our government lacked investment in

science and technology. I think it is one of the reasons why we’re behind from other

developed countries. I believe, if our government together with the Department of

Education, TESDA, and Higher Education (trifocalization) will work together hand on

hand we’re be able to come up with a better development plan in our education. Our

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government should encourage university students to conduct researches for the benefit

of the citizens, also for the sustainable and development of the economy. Thus,

massive training for the specialization of the teachers and provide better facilities for the

students in order to perform well.

REFERENCES

Tsutsumi, Shigeru 2017: Globalization Partners International.

https://www.globalizationpartners.com/2017/12/11/japanese-culture-and-
tradition/#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20main%20religions,Shinto%20and%2
02.3%25%20as%20Christian.
Szczepanski, Kallie. "Japan: Facts and History." ThoughtCo, May 06, 2019,
thoughtco.com/japan-facts-and-history-195581.
Japan-guide.Com. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2126.html
JNTO – Japan Educational Travel. Copyright@Japan National Tourism Organization.
All Rights Reserved. https://education.jnto.go.jp/en/school-
exchanges/japanese-education-system/
Nippon.Com. https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h00304/japan%E2%80%99s-
nobel-laureates.html
MEXT Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science And Technology-
JAPAN 3-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8959, Japan, issued 2013.
http://stats.oecd.org/wbos/fileview2.aspx?IDFile=3a9d77e1-d469-40bb-86a8-
a7f4981dcbf0
MEXT Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science And Technology-
JAPAN 3-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8959, Japan TEL: +81-3-
5253-4111 ［Issued February 2019］.
https://www.bosnia.emb-japan.go.jp/files/000356119.pdf
OECD - https://www.oecd.org/pisa/
Worldmeter. https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/japan-population/

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