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(This text summarizes the key points of the "Understanding Japanese Elementary Schools – A Salon for Listening to Japanese Mothers' Experiences" held in February 2019. The purpose of this salon event is to share personal experiences. The opinions expressed are for reference only, ensuring that the speakers' personal experiences are genuine, but their statements do not represent the official views of any organization or affiliated institution. The data in the charts is sourced from official publications by the Japanese government.)
How to choose the right school for children studying in Japan?
Which is better, public or private schools? What is an entrance exam? Is it necessary to attend cram school?
For foreign parents who have not experienced the Japanese school system, this can be quite confusing and often based on hearsay.
Therefore, we invited two Japanese mothers (Mom Sato andYOKOMom) as guests to discuss some basic knowledge about Japanese elementary schools and the personal experiences of Japanese mothers regarding their children's education. We hope that through this salon discussion, everyone will gain a general understanding of education and school advancement in Japan.
Sato Mom
Foreign consultants in Minato Ward also run volunteer classes to teach Japanese to foreign children and assist with their homework. The two children are in university and elementary school, respectively.
YOKOMom
Four children, attending high school, middle school, elementary school, and preschool. Passionate about education. The eldest daughter is enrolled in a Tokyo metropolitan integrated junior and senior high school.
In just two short hours, we covered a lot of topics. Due to space limitations, I'll summarize the key points.
Basic Knowledge for Choosing an Elementary School
In Japan, elementary schools are categorized into three types: public, private, and national.
Let's take a look at the student ratios of these three types of schools. (See1, Nationwide in Japan)
(Data from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Basic Survey on Schools/Fiscal Year2018)
Figure1 Proportion of Students in Various Types of Schools (Nationwide)
On the far left, the number of students in private elementary schools accounts for1.2%, public schools account for98.2%, and national schools account for0.6%.
View Again2 , the situation in Tokyo.
(Data from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Basic Survey on Schools/Fiscal Year2018)
Figure 2 Proportion of Students in Various Types of Schools (Tokyo)
Private elementary school enrollment4.2%, public95.2%, national0.6%. Compared to the national average, the proportion of private elementary school students in Tokyo is somewhat higher.
However, when considering these two pieces of data, it is clear that the vast majority of children in Japan choose to attend public elementary schools.
The 'Uniqueness' of Private Elementary Schools and National Elementary Schools
So, what kind of children enter private elementary schools in Tokyo?4.2%Two mothers explained that families typically decide to enroll their children in private schools right from birth. This decision is influenced by a combination of factors including the family's background, social status, economic conditions, and the parents' own experiences. Specifically, this refers to certain traditional noble families in Japan or groups with specific special statuses.
YOKOMy mom humorously said that getting into a private elementary school isn't just about being able to pay the tuition. Especially at so-called prestigious schools with a long-standing tradition, students' families need to share a mutually recognized background, lifestyle, values, and ways of interacting among parents, which belong to a different world. For instance, having one or two servants or housekeepers at home is quite common, and mothers typically have lunch and chat together, often starting from 5,000yen. During entrance exams, mothers usually wear deep blue suits and pearl necklaces, and there are many unwritten cultural norms.At the same time, the school has some undisclosed criteria and preferences regarding family backgrounds when selecting students. Children who get into private elementary schools often have already established connections with the school through certain channels. So, even if the financial conditions are favorable, if the school believes a family does not align with its culture and characteristics, the child will not be admitted. Additionally, to take the entrance exam for private elementary schools, children need to start receiving training in etiquette, special skills, and behavior from kindergarten, which often requires hiring a tutor or enrolling in preparatory schools. Since the children are young, the entrance exam does not demand much in terms of learning ability; it essentially serves as a selection of the child's family. Of course, there are a small number of emerging private elementary schools that attract students purely based on their educational characteristics, which are more open and equitable, but they are quite rare.
So what about the National Elementary School? The National Elementary School is an institution for educational research aimed at universities and other educational sectors. To ensure a diverse range of children in the research subjects, admission to the National Elementary School requires passing an exam, but ultimately, enrollment is determined by a lottery system. Due to the unique nature of the National Elementary School as a research subject, it offers an environment where students can receive a more flexible and innovative education while only paying the fees of a public school. Although the number of students admitted to the National Elementary School is very limited and relies on luck, this characteristic encourages some very dedicated parents to let their children take a chance. Additionally, National Schools are distributed across various prefectures, and depending on the local population structure, not all areas face the intense competition seen in Tokyo.
Thanks to the introductions from two mothers, I believe everyone has realized that for the vast majority of Japanese families, there is no need to put much thought into choosing an elementary school.
By the way, public elementary schools generally follow a neighborhood enrollment policy. However, in Tokyo, each ward has its own regulations; some wards allow you to choose any school within the ward, while others do not permit enrollment from outside the ward.
The beginning of the journey is a major crossroads
Detail-oriented friends may have noticed that in the charts we just presented,1and2we also displayed the proportions of students in various types of junior high and high schools.
Here is a summary of the data; please see the chart.3
Figure3 Comparison of the proportion of students in elementary, junior high, and high schools (National and Tokyo)
(Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Basic Survey on Schools, FY 30)
Compared to private elementary schools (nationally 1.2%, Tokyo 4.2%), the proportion of private junior high schools (nationally 7.2%, Tokyo 24%) and private high schools (nationally 31.8%, Tokyo 55%) has significantly increased. This means that while most children attend public elementary schools, more families begin to choose private schools starting from junior high school.
It is also evident that in Tokyo, the proportion of private schools at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels is significantly higher than the national average. Clearly, Tokyo is a hotspot for educational testing.
Additionally, it's important to note that the proportion of private schools at the elementary and high school levels has surged. This is due to two main factors: first, the declining population has led to numerous public school mergers or closures each year. Second,since the 1990s, the issue of 'grade collapse' became a social problem, resulting in a significant distrust among parents towards public schools, which has also contributed to the increase in private school enrollment.
However, the two mothers mentioned that in public schools, principals and homeroom teachers are changed every few years, so students may encounter both liked and disliked teachers. Public schools are governed by the Board of Education, and if any issues arise, complaints can be filed with them. In contrast, private schools are entirely managed by their respective organizations, and even if problems occur, they are often handled internally, with little chance of being exposed to the public.
Competition among private schools is becoming increasingly fierce, and many institutions are resorting to their admission rates to prestigious universities to attract students. In private schools, it is quite common to categorize classes based on academic performance. If a school believes that students in the lowest-performing class may negatively impact the overall advancement rate of the grade, they may even suggest "voluntary withdrawal" to encourage students to leave on their own.
Both mothers emphasized that while public schools have had negative impacts due to issues like grade collapse, it is a misconception to think that attending a public school means a bleak future. It is not true that one cannot provide a good educational environment for their children without enrolling them in private schools. There are many excellent teachers in public schools who can offer quality education in terms of children's learning, life, and growth. Additionally, compared to private schools where families with similar backgrounds tend to gather, public school students come from a variety of family situations, reflecting a microcosm of society. This exposure allows children to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds, which undoubtedly helps them understand society better, learn empathy, and develop social skills with different people. Quality education is not just about coexisting peacefully with those who are similar to oneself in a 'vacuum'.
Taking the exam?
How to gain admission to private junior high schools or private high schools involves the topic of "examinations." When discussing "examinations," it is inextricably linked to the topic of "cram schools."
YOKOAccording to my mom, families that decide to enroll their children in private junior high schools typically start sending them to cram schools in the second half of the third grade. Initially, they attend once a week, then twice a week, and as they progress to higher grades and the difficulty of the material increases, they may attend up to four or five times a week before the entrance exams. Cram school classes can run until 8 or 9 PM. Therefore, parents need to prepare dinner bento boxes for their children to take to class. After returning home around 8 or 9 PM, students must continue to complete the homework assigned by the cram school and review any parts they haven't understood. There are weekly tests at the cram school to assess the children's learning progress.
During the process of preparing for the exam, it is important for the mother, or the entire family, to work together to create an atmosphere that welcomes the test. How the mother can inspire and maintain the child's morale and enthusiasm for studying can be considered the most important task for the whole family.
Once a decision is made to take the exam, it means that all of the child's time must be devoted to studying.
Additionally, mothers need to effectively manage their children's daily lives and academic schedules. They should assist their children in overcoming various exams according to the tutoring program. Mothers play a crucial role in overseeing their children's lives, studies, and various activities, maximizing their focus on learning. Taking exams is not only a challenge for children but also a significant test for mothers.
Throughout the process, mothers and children work side by side, striving together. If they ultimately succeed in getting into their ideal school, both the mother and child will feel an immense sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
However, both mothers calmly reminded everyone that with testing, there are successes as well as failures. If parents become overly obsessed with test results and impose excessive academic pressure on their children, it can distort their personalities, hinder their natural development, diminish their enthusiasm for learning, and even create irreparable rifts in the parent-child relationship.
In fact, Sato's mother once decided to have her child take the entrance exam, but after experiencing the intense study program at the cram school, she began to question this educational approach and ultimately decided to abandon the exam.
Cram school?
Two mothers humorously said, "If you're interested, you can attend the cram school's information session. But once you go, you'll definitely be brainwashed. The information session makes you feel like if your child doesn't get into a private school, their entire future is doomed."
It also reminds us that cram schools use various methods to convince parents that "their child must attend a private school and will definitely succeed, starting an exciting life from there." However, parents need to stay clear-headed and never forget that cram schools are businesses. They shouldn't naively get swept up in it. Sato's mother also provides a thorough analysis, stating, "The exam frenzy in Tokyo is largely cultivated by the cram school industry."
In this topic,YOKOalso gave us a very important tip—whether or not to take the test is closely related to the child's personality.
She compared her two children as examples. Her eldest daughter enjoys studying and can manage her own learning and various life arrangements. This type of child is more suited for, or can choose to take, entrance exams. On the other hand, her younger son has a carefree and innocent personality, not paying attention to details. She mentioned that if she wants her younger son to fully engage in studying, even with the most careful planning and all the parental support in the world, it would still be incredibly difficult for him to complete the study tasks required by the cram school. Therefore, she has never considered having her younger son take entrance exams.
Mothers mentioned that the most important factors during the exam are one's own will and motivation. It's crucial not to rely solely on parental expectations or follow trends. Instead, parents should discern their child's personality traits and weigh the pros and cons of the exam before making a calm decision.
Integrated Junior and Senior High School
Integrated junior and senior high schools are1998established after the educational reform to enhance the diversity of junior and senior high education and strengthen the connection between the two levels, aiming for overall management. Over the past20years, the number of such schools has been gradually increasing.
One major reason many parents choose private schools is the "elevator-style" advancement system, which allows students to skip entrance exams and move directly into the same high school system, and even directly into university. The emergence of public integrated middle and high schools also offers public school students a no-exam option for advancing to high school, making it a topic of great interest for parents since its inception.
Our GuestsYOKOMy eldest daughter is currently attending a combined junior and senior high school, and she shared her experiences. First, to enter a combined junior and senior high school, one must take an entrance exam, and there are also high requirements for the internal evaluation points during elementary school.
The entrance exams for integrated junior and senior high schools differ from those of public and private schools, each having its own unique selection criteria. To prepare for these exams, students need to undergo specialized training at cram schools focused on integrated school admissions. Her daughter is also very eager to enter an integrated junior and senior high school and possesses strong learning and self-management skills. After nearly a year of study at a cram school starting from the second half of fifth grade, she successfully gained admission to her desired school.
What is the learning environment like at school? Although her mother heard from her daughter that the students entering the school are all top performers from various elementary schools, everyone is very smart and excellent. Therefore, whether in academics, club activities, or various events, it requires100%commitment; otherwise, it’s easy to fall behind everyone else. Her daughter currently feels very fulfilled and satisfied with school life. However, she often hears about some students who gradually lose touch and stop coming to school after a while. The reasons vary; some feel that the school’s lifestyle does not align with the fields they want to pursue, while others experience excessive stress and fatigue due to continuous full commitment.
Finally, let's discuss the costs of educational investment
According to the latest survey data (Heisei28year), a comparison of the average annual costs required for public and private schools nationwide shows that the total costs for private schools are4.7times higher for elementary schools,2.8times higher for junior high schools,and 2.3times higher for high schools.
Specific amounts are shown in the table1below
|
Category |
Elementary School |
Early Intermediate |
High School |
|||
|
Public |
Private |
Public |
Private |
Public |
Private |
|
|
Total Learning Costs（Yen） |
233,947 |
1,528,237 |
478,550 |
1,326,933 |
450,862 |
1,040,168 |
|
Included Tuition Fees |
120,546 |
318,763 |
133,640 |
997,435 |
275,991 |
755,101 |
|
Included Meal Costs |
20,418 |
29,924 |
43,730 |
8,566 |
– |
– |
|
Extracurricular activity fees included |
92,983 |
133,705 |
301,184 |
320,932 |
174,871 |
285,067 |
Additionally, during the exam preparation period, the monthly tuition for classes at the cram school is approximately40,000 to 50,000yen. During school breaks, there are various intensive study programs, with each session costing between100,000yen–several hundred thousand yen, depending on the type and scale of the cram school.
Choosing a school, taking entrance exams, and cram schools—these concepts can be somewhat confusing for foreigners. However, two Japanese mothers will explain them based on their personal experiences.
It helped us understand how to design our own education, how to utilize various resources, and provided us with many valuable tips for educating children and guiding their learning.
To summarize the core idea from my perspective
1. When choosing a school, it's important not to rely solely on the school's reputation, rankings, or parental expectations. Understanding your child's personality traits and respecting their wishes is crucial.
2. Private schools, while having personalized teaching methods and philosophies, also possess a certain degree of exclusivity and secrecy. Parents should be able to objectively recognize their advantages and disadvantages.
3. Exams include both successes and failures. High-intensity learning methods are not suitable for all children. Parents should maintain a calm mindset and resilience against the promotion and brainwashing of cram schools.
4. Public schools do not limit children's growth.
The salon discussed many topics, and it's unfortunate that I can't introduce them all here. Let's conclude this introduction for now.
Also bringing good news about the next event for everyone.
We will also invite experienced Japanese elementary school teachers for the second salon onMarch16(Saturday)to mainly discuss life in public elementary schools.
What we plan to discuss:
–Characteristics and Educational Policies of Public Elementary Schools
–School Choice System
–What is the internal assessment score? What impact does it have?
–What is school collapse, why does it happen, and what can be done about it?
–What should you do if your child is being bullied?
–School departments and teachers
–Special Support Class
etc.
This time, our guest is48-year veteran teacher Kenji Katagiri .
Teacher Katagiri has been teaching at public elementary schools in Shinagawa and Ota wards in Tokyo for 38 years.38After retirement, he continues to serve as a teacher at the First Elementary School in Higashichofu City. He has also been a part-time lecturer at Notre Dame University. He organizes the "Shinagawa Ward Inclusive Learning Support Classroom" and advocates for providing an equal educational environment for all children, participating in the "National Network for Children with Disabilities in Regular Classes" activities.
For foreign parents who have not experienced life in a Japanese elementary school, understanding the school's system, the daily life of children, how to interact with the school, and having a basic knowledge of potential issues are essential for helping their children enjoy their elementary school experience.The purpose of the activity is to address foreign parents' questions about elementary school life, focusing on interaction and allowing for easy inquiries.
Event Overview:
Date:3March16(Saturday) 10:00-12:00
Location: Kodaiyama Hall204 (2 minutes walk from Musashi-Koyama Station on the Tokyu Line)
Cost: 800 yen/ person
Number of participants:15 people (on-site) You can also participate online
Registration:https://j-ii.org/kyousei/#kyousei_sec2 or email us atinfo@j-ii.org
Language: Japanese
Other: Due to venue restrictions, we are unable to provide childcare services this time. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Limited spots available, register early!