More than 98% of Japanese students attend high school after completing mandatory elementary and junior high, with 58.1% moving forward to university. These statistics paint a picture of a nation dedicated to education and leave us curious about how it is to be attending a Japanese school. What happens in the daily life of a Japanese student?
Although there are similarities between Japanese schools and Western schools such as uniforms and grades, there are also unique aspects of Japanese education that may be surprising to many visitors to the country. Here are 20 interesting facts that will give you an inside look at the Japanese educational system.
1. “Randoseru” – Japanese Backpack
Image Credit: Randoseru
Nearly all Japanese elementary school children (99%) use a distinctive backpack called a randoseru. Historically, these were primarily black for boys and red for girls, with social pressure to conform. Today, a wider range of colors like pink, blue, purple, brown, green, and yellow are common.
The randoseru’s origins trace back to Dutch military knapsacks (ransel) introduced by the bakufu during the late Edo period. Their popularity surged during the Taisho era after the Prime Minister gifted one to the Emperor upon his entry to elementary school. The design emphasizes durability and longevity, intended to last throughout a child’s six years of elementary school.
Monster (2024) by Director Hirokazu Koreeda
Beyond its school use, the randoseru’s robust construction and classic design have also made it a popular fashion accessory among adults in Japan and internationally. Would you get one for yourself?
2. Children Go to School Independently
Kikujiro 1999 by Director Takeshi Kitano
In Japan, children go to school by themselves without their parents’ help. Organized group commutes, known as shūdan tōkō (集団登校), sometimes occur, particularly in certain rural areas or during the initial weeks of first grade to help new students acclimate to the route. In these cases, older students or designated adult volunteers from the neighborhood may accompany younger children.
3. Universities Have 3 Semesters a Year
Image Credit: Times Higher Education
Unlike schools in many countries, Japanese universities follow a three-semester system. These terms are generally divided into spring (April-July), summer (August-September), and winter (October-March), with shorter breaks between each. This structure means students often have a more continuous academic year with less extended time off compared to their counterparts in other countries.
The shorter breaks, particularly between the summer and winter terms, can require a quicker transition back into academic work. This system can be advantageous for students who prefer a more consistent learning schedule and potentially allows for faster progress through their degree programs, but it also demands a sustained level of engagement throughout the year.
4. ‘Magic’ Red Sheets Are Used to Review Lessons
A common sight in Japanese classrooms and homes is the use of red transparent sheets (赤シート, aka-shīto) paired with specially printed study materials. These materials feature key terms or answers printed in red ink. By overlaying the red sheet, the red ink disappears, allowing students to test their knowledge and effectively memorize content.
Image Credit: How to Japan
This simple yet ingenious technique is a hallmark of Japanese study methods and a testament to the emphasis placed on active recall and self-testing as effective learning strategies.
5. Lesson – When teachers come to class, children have to bow at the beginning of lessons
Image credit: Pixta
One of the most recognizable cultural practices in Japanese schools is bowing to teachers at the beginning and end of each class.
Once a teacher enters a classroom, the student leader calls “Stand up!” “Strain yourself!” “Bow!” and all students must bow to their teacher before the lesson starts.
This act of respect emphasizes discipline and gratitude, core values in Japanese education.
6. Most Sports activity is based on school education, not local clubs
School in the Crosshairs (1981)
School sports play a dominant role in Japan. Physical education is highly valued, with a strong emphasis on character development and discipline alongside athletic skill. Practices can be rigorous, often exceeding two hours daily, six days a week, reflecting a dedication that goes beyond simply “playing.”
Battle Royale (2000) by Director Kinji Fukasaku
While enthusiasm and effort are important, Japanese school sports also incorporate a more structured and methodical approach. Baseball and soccer (football) are particularly popular, with high school tournaments, such as the National High School Baseball Championship (Koshien), achieving national broadcast status and capturing the dreams of many aspiring athletes.
7. Taking moral classes is mandatory
From film Monster (2024) Director Hirokazu Koreeda
Moral class is mandatory for students between 6 to 15-year-old in primary and secondary schools. In Japanese schools, students learn what kind of behaviour would make people happy, and what kind of behaviour is the right thing to do as a person.
Still from Typhoon Club, directed by Shinji Sōmai
8. Taking calligraphy classes is mandatory
The Brightest Roof in the Universe (2020)
In Japanese schools, calligraphy is mandatory to take in primary and secondary schools. Students learn the traditional way of writing with a traditional pen, ink, and paper. At the beginning of the new year, there is a calligraphy contest called “Kakizome.” Children practice calligraphy during winter vacation.
9. Evacuation practice every semester
Image Credit: BST
Japan experiences frequent earthquakes, accounting for roughly 10% of the world’s seismic activity (not 25%). Consequently, regular earthquake drills are a standard practice in Japanese schools, often conducted monthly.
Students keep disaster hoods (防災頭巾, bōsai zukin) readily available, typically on their chairs, and during drills, they quickly put them on, take cover under their desks, and evacuate in an orderly manner as a class.
10. Sports Festival – Set Gymnastics, Marching
Image Credit: Snow Monkey Photoblog
School sports festivals (undōkai) are a unique feature of Japanese education. While the opening march of students can evoke images of past military influence on physical education, the festivals themselves are now focused on teamwork, sportsmanship, and school spirit.
Image Credit: Snow Monkey Photoblog
Group exercises and performances, while less explicitly tied to military drills than in the past, remain a key element, particularly in elementary schools.
11. ‘Nyūgakushiki’ – The School Entrance Ceremony
The start of the Japanese school year is marked by a formal entrance ceremony, nyūgakushiki (入学式). This event, often held in early April under blossoming cherry trees, is more than just a welcome; it’s a symbolic rite of passage.
New students and their families attend, listening to speeches from school officials and sometimes local dignitaries, signifying the community’s investment in the students’ education.
12. Students learn taxes at a young age
Financial literacy forms a key component of the Japanese curriculum. Students learn practical skills like budgeting, saving, and understanding basic taxation concepts, equipping them with essential knowledge for navigating financial responsibilities in adulthood. This emphasis on practical, real-world skills distinguishes the Japanese educational system, demonstrating a commitment to preparing students not just academically, but also for the practical challenges of independent living.
13. Use respectful language with older people (even those who are 1 year older!)
Japanese schools emphasize the use of honorific language (keigo) when addressing seniors, teachers, and other figures of authority, even those just a year or two older. This practice reflects the broader societal emphasis on respect and hierarchy, a key aspect of cultural practices in Japanese schools.
14. University – Difficult to enter, Easy to graduate
Gaining admission to a Japanese university is extremely competitive due to rigorous entrance exams that test years of accumulated knowledge. Once accepted, the focus shifts from high-stakes testing to coursework, making graduation comparatively less demanding.
15. Saturday class in high school
Typhoon Club (1985) Director Shinji Sômai
Traditionally, Japanese students have attended school for half a day on Saturdays; however, the number of required Saturdays each month is decreasing as a result of Japanese educational reforms. Some high schools, particularly private schools and those focused on preparing students for university entrance exams, still hold them. This practice, a remnant of a more rigorous six-day school week, reflects a cultural emphasis on maximizing study time, especially for students aiming for highly competitive universities.
16. Students attend cram school after regular classes
xxxHolic (2022)
Cram schools, known as juku (塾), are a significant part of Japanese student life. Students often attend juku after regular school hours for supplemental instruction, especially to prepare for crucial entrance exams. Juku vary in size and style, from small, intimate classes to large lecture-style settings.
17. Kids take home Summer Homework while on break
Japanese students are typically assigned homework even during school holidays, a practice that reflects the emphasis on continuous learning and reinforces academic discipline. These assignments, while sometimes lighter than regular schoolwork, serve to maintain momentum and prevent significant learning loss during breaks.
18. Computer programming classes are mandatory from elementary through high school
Computer programming is now a mandatory subject in Japanese schools from elementary through high school. This initiative, fully implemented by 2022, aims to equip students with essential digital literacy and prepare them for a technologically driven future.
19. ‘Satoyama’ – educating schools about Japan’s rural landscapes
Image Credit: Kanagawa Travel Info
Some Japanese schools, particularly those in or near rural areas, incorporate satoyama studies into their curriculum. Satoyama refers to managed woodland environments bordering cultivated land, representing a traditional form of sustainable land use. These studies involve hands-on activities like farming, forestry, and maintaining local ecosystems, teaching students about the interconnectedness of human activity and the natural world.
20. Automatic promotion to the next year’s level is a thing
In Japanese public elementary and lower secondary schools (up to grade 9), automatic grade promotion is the norm. This means students advance to the next grade level with their classmates regardless of their academic performance in individual subjects. This system differs significantly from many Western educational models where students may be held back or “retained” if they do not meet certain academic standards.
This practice prioritizes social development and the belief that students develop at different paces, focusing on holistic growth rather than solely on test scores. While this applies up to grade 9, high schools may have different promotion requirements.
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