Education Policy in Japan
Building Bridges towards 2030
Japan’s education system is one of the top performers compared to other OECD countries.
International assessments have not only demonstrated students' and adults' high level
of achievement, but also the fact that socio-economic status has little bearing on
academic results. In a nutshell, Japan combines excellence with equity.
This high performance is based on the priority Japan places on education and on its
holistic model of education, which is delivered by highly qualified teachers and supported
by the external collaboration of communities and parents. But significant economic,
socio-demographic and educational challenges, such as child well-being, teacher workload
and the high stakes university exam, question the sustainability of this successful
model.
Policy makers in Japan are not complacent, and as Japan starts implementing its Third
Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education (2018-22), they are carefully analysing
tomorrow’s threats to Japan’s current success.
This report aims to highlight the many strengths of Japan’s education system, as well
as the challenges it must address to carry out reforms effectively and preserve its
holistic model of education. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the education system
delivers the best for all students, and that Japanese learners have the knowledge,
skills, attitudes and values they need for the 21st century.
Published on July 27, 2018
In series:Reviews of National Policies for Educationview more titles