103. Problems of education after World War 2 　　　 and in the future in Japan

　　　　　　　　　Japanese version, here
Shoji Sugita

　　　The main reasons for the problems educational in Japan stem from very fast economic progress
　　　and technological development post WW2. This progress was possible because of the very low
　　　percentage of military budgets - only 1 % of GDP for a long time. Therefore,　Government could
　　　have supplied a lot of budgets - 99% of GDP to the other areas, for　instance, education, industry,
　　　technology, social welfare, transportation and so forth.

　　　These problems also come from a kind of cultural diseases in developed countries. There are many
　　　so called "extravagant sons or daughters" and people are so enjoying concerned about a lot of
　　　entertainments, but there is a lack of concern for morality. Many people now show less respect for
　　　elderly and authorities. Money is the top priority in their lives. Japan has been infected by these
　　　cultural diseases and there're difficult to cure.
　　
　　　More, there has been peace for long-time in Japan, so it causes tension to realize the real world
　　　could be weaker and weaker. Many are used to averting their eyes from the situations in the world,
　　　and keep a brave spirit. Some Japanese say, "Japan is a safe, peaceful country in the world. No problem,
　　　no probem", selfishly. It's a problem for the world.

　　How to change Japan

　　　It is somewhat difficult, but anyway there would be some necessary tension, and cause from reduced
　　　economic growth, unemployment, trade deficits and so forth, but chiefly caused　from wars and military
　　　activities outside of Japan. Now the Japanese people are discussing the　dispatching of self-defence
　　　forces for Iraq. How many soldiers, how will the areas there, safe or dangerous or how good their
　　　eqipments is and so forth. If some soldiers die or get injured, the tension suddenly rise up.

　　How to change education in Japan
　　1. There should be more competitive public schools. For instance, more school choices, more
　　　civilian principals, a little more difference between salaries of good teachers and average teachers
　　　etc.

　　2. Competition between public schools and cram schools and prepschools
　　　Since the War, there have been a lot of cram schools for elementary and junior high school students
　　　and prepschools for senior high students in Japan, and recently the businesses have become equally
　　　concerned for growth, but on the other hand, power of public schools is going down so much. So, actually
　　　the power of Japanese education is not going down so much, but the situation is sever for poor
　　　families, so they have to change the situation.

　　3. Establish systems of commendation for good teachers or good schools.
　　 　Therefore, it would be better to establish "School Foundation" in public schools and appreciate their
　　　 excellent achivements and commend them with extra bonuses or so. Of couse, the accounts of
　　　 the Fund should be clear, fair and effective.
　
　　4. Re-training of teachers
　　　At present, re-training systems are not very effective for teachers. There are a lot of lectures that
　　 are almost abstract, idealistic and speeches made by some famouse people. School　boards have to
　　　update the systems and focus to be more practical trainings. For instance, to operate computers skillfully,
　　 practical English, useful technologies and techniques for counselling the　students and so forth. Lastly
　　they should provide more money for the trainings.

　　5. Students' discipline
　　　National laws prohibit teachers to administer corporal punishment to students and also suspensions
　　　from the elementary and junior high schools. In many cases class envornment and school environment
　　　is becoming worse. Principals and teachers should administer other disciplinary methods,　for instance,
　　　in-school sespensions, detentions after school, community services etc.

　　6. Establish charter schools
　　　There are no charter schools in Japan, so Japan must establish charter schools for very nervous
　　　or very tallented or students with very bad behavior newly.

　　7. Make new systems of skipping grades
　　　At present, any smart senior high studens cannot skip a year or two years to go on to Universities,
　　　public or private, till the age of 18 except in a very few cases. It's too severe for these excellent
　　 students. Japan has　to make a new law so it will be possible to enter Universities at a little younger age.

　　8. Some other issues on education
　　　 　Class size
　　　In Japan the problem of class size is not such a big problem. For there are already less forty students
　　　per class at most　schools and generally, somewhere less than 30. Of course, about the size, the smaller,
　　　the better,　but preferable above 25 students per class.

　　　　Juvenile delinquency
　　　It is a big problem in Japan, too, but the most important factor of the problem is how the teachers
　　　treat such boys and girls with affection and confidence.
　　
　Considerable points of Japanese history and Japanese national character
　　1. Meiji Restoration
　　　As I described before in another article, The Meiji Restoration of Japan around 1860 was one of the
　　　most　rare revolution in the world history. For "Samurai" destroyed their own classes by themselves.
　　　At that　time they observed the situation of China and Asian countries that had been invaded by European
　　　countries and the U. S., and thought the following:
　　　If Japan would have been continued the system of Shogunate which appreciated the Bushi-class at the
　　　highest,　Japan would be invaded by foreign countries like them. So, they destroyed their own systems　
　　　by themselves and studied a lot of knowledge, culture and civilization from European countried and the
　　　U. S., and built rapidly a new modern country. This proves Japanese in essence are intelligent and brave.

　　2. Delicate feeling and skillful achievement in group
　　　Foreigners have to appreciate their delicate feeling and skillful acomplishments in group. So for instance,
　　　it is better to have a little difference between salaries of very good teachers and the average ones and
　　　the skipping grades to enter Universities one or two years earlier than most students.

　　3. "Invasion by Japan"
　　　The opinion of "Invasion by Japan" will act as thorn in their throat in the future on two points. One
　　　of them acts as Japanese self-controlled on activities overseas and the other acts as their patriotism
　　　particulary against China. They say, "China always interferes with our demestic affairs, saying " Invasion
　　　by Japan". These both will effect educational issues, too.

10/15/2003 Described