What is Education?
Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. Educational methods include storytelling, discussion, teaching, training, and directed research. Education frequently takes place under the guidance of educators, but learners may also educate themselves. Education can take place in formal or informal settings and any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts may be considered educational. The methodology of teaching is called pedagogy.
A right to education has been recognized by some governments and the United Nations. In most regions, education is compulsory up to a certain age.
The chart below shows the Japanese education system according to age, grade, and available educational facilities.
- Children who have their 6th birthday on or before April 1 enter the first grade of elementary school of that year.
- School year starts in April and ends in March.
- For Japanese nationals, six years at elementary school and three years at junior high school (total nine years) are compulsory.
- Although foreign nationals are not subject to Japanese compulsory education, they may enter local elementary/junior high schools if they wish.
- Some public elementary, junior high or high schools have developed an environment to accept foreign nationals and/or Japanese children returning from abroad. Contact the municipal office in the ward (or city, town or village) where you reside for more information.
- After graduating from junior high school, children may choose to continue their education to high school and then to university or to find employment.
For more information, contact the Board of Education of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and/or the municipal office and board of education in the ward (or city, town or village) where you reside.
Japanese school system (JOIN NOW)