The image of the typical Japanese student we have in our minds mainly come from pop
culture.
High pitched, school girls in impossibly short skirts and the laid back, tousle-haired school
boy with the air of mystery are typically our go-to archetypes.
However, it is unfair to say that these representations are what Japanese students are in real life.
Despite having some colourful eccentricities, the Japanese culture is one that puts education
in high regard so much so that simply going to school is guided by a set of standards
in order to preserve the institution’s image as well as train the student in proper public
behaviour.
Here in the west, we have somehow placed students in different archetypes that, amazingly enough,
has influenced many individuals as they go through their academic lives.
It is also worth mentioning that the educational system in Japan is far different from what
we are used to here and may, at some point, raise a few eyebrows.
So in today’s video, we are going to talk about 10 interesting facts about daily life
at a Japanese school and as a Japanese student to broaden our understanding of this already
wonderful Asian culture.
Number 10: The Daily Commute Unlike in the United States where high school
students at the right age drive cars to school, Japanese students have a much more practical
approach to getting to school.
Depending on the distance of their school, many of them choose to walk or ride a bike.
In other cases, students would opt to take public transportation like the train or the
bus, sometimes transferring lines if they have to.
Spending about two hours in transit, students usually take the time to have a quick shut
eye or, in the case of walking to school, catch up with peers.
While on the road, students observe a strict set of school policies that are intended to
preserve the institution’s image and keep student’s in their best behaviour.
Chewing gum on the bus, for example may warrant a reprimand should a student get caught.
Number 9: Uniformity Schools in Japan require students to wear
a uniform and this rule extends to their footwear and bags.
Upon arriving at the school, students are asked to wear school-issued “indoor footwear”
in order to maintain the cleanliness of the campus.
Also, in Junior High School, students use similar backpacks that bear the school’s
crest for identification as well as reflective stripes to avoid road accidents since many
students walk or bike home at dusk.
The reason for such uniformity is etched in the Japanese culture of keeping everything
in harmony where people perform at a similar standard without having to grandstand or showboat.
Number 8: School Lunches Most public schools in Japan have no cafeterias.
The way that students have their lunch is that they are served their meals in their
classrooms.
By the time the lunch bell rings, a group of students will collect the meals from a
food preparation room in the building and serve it to their classmates.
Every meal served to each student and teacher is the same and is laid out on tin trays and
portioned in bowls and plates.
On occasion, students are allowed homemade lunch boxes that they can bring with them.
After lunch, everyone is responsible for cleaning up after themselves and returning all meal
containers under the supervision of the teacher.
Number 7: Students cannot fail a grade In countries like the United States, a student
who has failed his grade is held back from advancing until he or she has completed his
classes and end his term with a satisfactory point average.
However, in Japan, especially in primary school, a student cannot be held back from moving
forward because he failed or missed a test.
Regardless of their performance in class or their final test score, they will always advance
and not get left behind.
He or she may even join the graduation ceremony at the end of the year despite having skipped
classes.
Tests and test scores are only taken seriously in Japan when a student is trying to get into
high school or university.
A Japanese student’s primary education mainly revolves around conduct, social interaction,
and character development.
Number 6: There are no janitors Speaking of character development, Japanese
schools are typically devoid of janitors.
In Western Countries, it is normal to see a janitor – or custodian – walking around
cleaning after students in the halls.
However, in Japan, it’s a different story.
Japanese students, as well as teachers and the principal, are responsible for cleaning
up after themselves and making sure that their campus is spick and span.
On a normal day, time is given for students and staff to roll up their sleeves and clean
classrooms, hallways, even lavatories.
They are given a set of cleaning clothes and are assigned designated areas.
This practice is quite unique to the Japanese school culture as it is part of training students
– and staff -to become responsible individuals.
Number 5: Preparedness Education Japanese children learn the value of preparedness
at an early age and it is underscored by going to school.
For example, Kindergarteners are taught how to fold their jackets and store them properly
once they enter their classroom.
They are also encouraged to always carry a handkerchief in one pocket and tissue in another.
By grade school, students are always asked to have three sharpened pencils at their desk
should an occasion require it.
Also, they are expected to have supplies such as glue, erasers, rulers, and the like.
Number 4: After-school Activities Rarely will you see a Japanese student that
is not preoccupied with something.
Unlike most of their western counterparts who while their after-school hours away in
front of their phones or planning a party on a school night, Japanese students usually
make the most of their day by filling it with productive activities.
After school activities such as dance, piano, baseball, or language lessons keep a Japanese
student’s daily calendar full and all of this happens hours before they hit the books
once again to do some homework.
In some cases, students may even opt to go to classes on weekends to keep themselves
busy.
If a student does not have any personal activity, he or she may choose from a list of clubs
at school that offers activities such as study groups and sports.
Number 3: Free Time As you would expect, a typical student in
Japan has a regimented schedule.
About 85% of which is devoted to studying.
However, they do enjoy some free time in their schedules despite the fact that their free
time also runs on a schedule.
Approximately, a student spends at least two hours of his or her day per week doing homework;
sometimes that stretches to three hours on Sundays.
Compared to their counterparts in, let’s say the US, a Japanese student would spend
an average of two hours in front of the TV.
Within a day, an hour is usually given to casual, non-school related reading and about
less than half an hour mingling with friends.
While dating is not prohibited in teenagers, a Japanese teenager usually opens up to dating
after high school.
Amazingly, and for numerous reasons, Japan boasts that there are few drug problems among
their adolescents and teenagers.
Number 2: No Rest for the Productive Unless it’s a national holiday, teachers
continue to work through vacation season.
Teachers and school administrators continue to perform their responsibilities to the school
even when students are enjoying their break from academia.
Preparing next academic year’s curriculum, outlining a lesson plan, and introducing new
activities are among the things that keeps school teachers busy all year round.
However, if you are in Junior High in Japan, chances are you are part of a school club
or organization.
This means that you also don’t get a break because many of these clubs have activities
over the vacation period that keeps students busy as well as the teachers who moderate
and supervise them.
On top of your club activities, you also have a ton of “over-the-vacation” homework
to wade through.
Number 1: Students are not sent to the Principal’s office
The Japanese brand of egalitarianism is best witnessed in the classroom.
In the West, when a student misbehaves, he or she is asked to leave the classroom and
head straight to the principal’s office for a stern reprimand.
However, in Japan, a teacher cannot send a student out for misbehaving in class.
In fact, having to do so means you are breaking a law, more specifically Article 26 of the
Japanese constitution; a legislation that emphasizes that “All people shall have the
right to receive equal education”.
It is because of this that Japanese teachers have, in a way, mastered the art of keeping
cool when a student or two becomes a bit too much
to handle.
Keeping composed, the teacher would simply continue on with the lesson until the troublemakers
tire themselves out and start listening again.