People who want to learn Japanese language in Japan are now sending us applications for the July 2012 intake. We see their educational history, and we are amazed to find differences in school system among countries. Today, we woudl like to tell you about the education in Japan.

The Japanese school system was established by the new School Educatin Act after World War II. The current 6-3-3-4 system is made up of 6 years of elementary school, 3 years of junior high school, 3 years of high school and 4 years of college. Of these, elementary and junior high school is compusory. In Japan, the education continuance rate is very high. Almost everyone (97%) goes on to high school and nearly half of the high school graduates proceed to colleges and universities. Also, there are many students who choose to study in vocational schools. The Japanese school year begins in April and ends in March of the following year. There are two, or three semesters in the year. Public schools are run on a 5-day schedule, while many private schools have classes on Saturdays. Average class hours per day are 6 hours except for children in lower grades of elementary school.