JAPANESE HIGHER EDUCTION SYSTEM

 

The Japanese school education system is generally broken down into six years primary school, three years junior high school, three years high school, four years university, and five years graduate school. In addition to these, there are kindergartens, college of technology which may follow junior high school, and two-year junior colleges. Compulsory education is from age six through junior high, a total of nine years. The academic year begins in April, and ends in March.

In Japan, universities traditionally trained researchers and educators, but since World War II, higher education has become so popular that universities have come down to the level of general education, and Graduate Schools are now considered the training ground for special researchers and professors.

With the exception of graduate schools in engineering, dentistry, medicine and veterinary science, graduate schools in Japan do not generally provide practical job-oriented training. Rather, they aim at training specialists in certain fields.

Japan's universities are divided into three categories – national, public and private – in accordance with financial support. All are organized on the same format and have the same educational standards. Presently there are 572 junior colleges and 489 four-year universities. Among the four-year universities, approximately half offer graduate school programs. Some universities offer research facilities. There are 1,994,615 students in universities throughout the country (as of May 1, 1988). There is at least one national university in each prefecture, with public and private schools well distributed throughout the country. There are also many local universities which meet the needs of local industry and traditions.

Universities generally consist of a number of faculty members divided into various departments and/or courses depending on subject. Each school has brochures outlining its various undergraduate, graduate and research programmes. These are generally printed in Japanese, but some schools also offer English editions.

Admission to Japanese universities is limited to those who have completed a regular twelve-year school education or its equivalent.

The academic year is from April to March. The number of school days in a year, including the standard examination period, is 210 days, or 35 weeks. Summer vacation differs according to the university, but in general is from the middle of July to the end of August. Winter vacation (December-January) is two weeks. Spring vacation (March-April) is approximately 40 days. Most universities operate on a semester system.

University curriculum is divided into General Education, Foreign Language, Health and Physical Education and Professional Education. Compulsory and elective subjects differ according to departments, and are regulated by the individual university.

General subjects, foreign languages and physical education classes are generally taken in the first and second years. These classes are usually large and are held in an auditorium. Major subjects are usually taken in the third and fourth years. These classes are relatively small. They are generally structured as seminars, laboratory sessions, study projects or practical sessions.

It should be understood that, in principle, all classes in Japanese universities are conducted in Japanese. Except for the special courses, there are almost no opportunities to take courses conducted in English.

Except for schools of dentistry, medicine and veterinary science, universities follow the credit system. Students must complete the required study and exams for each course to receive credit.

Since Japanese universities are on a semester system, there are examinations in September or October after summer vacation, and again in January or February after winter vacation. The format of these is usually written, but reports or short theses may be submitted in lieu of the examination.

Grades are based on the results of examination and course work, with attendance also taken into consideration. Grades are broken down as excellent, good, pass, fail (i.e., A, B, C, F). Usually A == 80-100%, B = 70-79%, C = 60-69%, F = 0-59%. No credit is given for an F.

 

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