The Education System in Japan
Value of Education in Japan
Maybe the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the education system in Japan is strongly equal. Both youngsters seek academic and professional achievement in Japan, which both help to increase general social acceptance. Japan is noted for progress based on performance.
As a result, it is not surprising that Japan consistently has excellent academic performance rankings. In reality, according to U.S. News & World Report, the island country ranks number 10 overall for education and number 5 in their list of the “best countries”
Education System in Japan
The higher education system in Japan is a very powerful tool for their national politics and culture, the Japanese higher education system is an extremely effective tool. Students that study in Japan have greater academic achievements that fulfill all international rules. The Ministry of Education has control over the overall plan, direction, management, politics, and culture.
The development of any new public or private higher education institutions may be approved by the Japanese government. The Ministry of Education, often known as Monbusho, oversees the financial operations of Universities, Junior Colleges, Specialized Colleges, Graduate Schools, and Colleges of Technology.
Additionally, it establishes the requirements for universities in the terms of their courses, resources, faculty, and qualifications. Although many institutions can exercise independence on various matters, the Ministry of Education (Monbusho) maintains control over the growth and advancement of higher education in Japan.
In Japan, higher education is only available after completing 12 years of school, which consists of 6 years of primary and 6 years of secondary education (lower and upper secondary schooling). In Japan, high school graduates are allowed to enroll in higher education. About 45% of high school graduates choose to continue their studies.
Total Number of Higher Education Institutions
- Universities; 783 (Out of which 86 are National, 92 are Local, and 605 are Private Universities)
- Junior Colleges; 372 (Out of which 22 are Local and 350 are Private Junior Colleges)
- Colleges of Technology; 57 (Out of which 51 are National, 3 are Local, and 3 are Private Colleges of Technology)
Traditional Universities
These are the typical 4 year institutions that can be found all around the world. Universities can be public, private, or national. The biggest universities in japan are often those supported by tax money. Specific regions manage public universities, and only taxes from that county are used to fund them. Additionally, tuition fees for students from one region may be lower than those for students from another county. Private universities are the most expensive and smallest of the three types of universities because they do not receive any state support.
Short-Term Universities
Usually, these programs last just two years. They are specialty schools, although their focus is more on academics than on a particular field of study.
Higher Education Qualifications in Japan
The higher education degrees granted by Japanese higher education institutions are as follows:
Associate Degree
After successfully completing junior college and colleges of technology, an associate degree is granted.
- Junior colleges: Students must complete at least two years of junior college study and benefit 62 credits in order to receive an associate degree (for 3 years, acquire 93 credits)
- Colleges of technology: At least 167 credits must achieve and a student must finish at least five years of study.
Technical Associate Degree
A “Technical Associate Degree” gives students who have successfully finished the post-secondary programs at special training institutes that have been approved by the minister of education, culture, sports, and technology.
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree gives students who have successfully completed their undergraduate courses. At least 124 credits must be completed and a student must finish 4 years of university study (or 6 years in the cases of medicine, dental medicine, and health sciences).
Master’s Degree
A “Master’s degree” gives students who have completed their postgraduate studies in a master’s program or course. A student must spend at least two years in a graduate program and complete 30 credits in their field of specialty.
Doctorate Degree
A “Doctorate degree” gives students who have completed their postgraduate studies in a doctor’s program or course. 30 credits must complete in the student’s field of study over the course of at least five years in a graduate program.
Standardized Test in Japan
The standardized test gives a lot of value to the Japanese education system because it confirms participation in all levels of education.
- National Centre Test for University Admission: Students must take the “National Center Test for University Admissions” in order to admit to higher education institutions in Japan.
- Academic Year: The majority of Japan’s higher education institutions set their academic years to start in April and end in March of the following year.
There are two semesters in a school year.
1. April to September represents the first semester.
2. The second semester runs from October through March.
Change to Learn a New Language
Even though more university courses are in English, most of the students will still need to know a bit of Japanese in order to live in the nation.
But don’t let this depress your students! Japanese is a useful language to know business, and there are many language schools that provide both short term and long-term courses.
Field of Education
The percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of natural sciences, mathematics, and statistics is relatively low. (3 %, rank 33/37)
The share of females in the field of education is one of the smallest and partner countries with available data. (70.7 %, rank 34/36)
The share of females in social sciences, journalism, and information and partner countries with available data. (46.1 %, rank 36/36)
The share of females in business, administration, and law and partner countries with available data. (37.1 %, rank 36/36)
The share of females in natural sciences, mathematics, and statistics and partner countries with available data. (27.1 %, rank 36/36)
The share of females in engineering, manufacturing, and construction and partner countries with available data. (15.6 %, rank 36/36)
In Japan, the share of females among new entrants in programs enrolled in the field of education is relatively small. (43.5 %, rank 33/33)
The share of females in natural sciences, mathematics, and statistics is relatively small. (18.6 %, rank 34/34)
The share of females enrolled in the field of engineering, manufacturing, and construction in Japan is relatively small. (16 %, rank 34/34)
The share of females in doctoral programs enrolled in the field of health and welfare is relatively small. (34.2 %, rank 33/33)
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