Children studying in Japan. School education program

Higher education in Japan is a kind of cult that is supported by the state, society and family. Starting from an early age, the Japanese are constantly learning, intensively studying both compulsory and additional educational programs. This is necessary in order to first enroll in a prestigious school, and after that - in a prestigious university, and upon graduation, become an employee of a well-known and respected company. The chaebol principle in Japan determines only one successful employment opportunity. And universities in Japan provide the best opportunities for graduates to make the most of this chance.

Universities in Japan have very high educational standards. This is evidenced by international rankings that rank the Japanese higher education system as one of the best in Asia. Thus, 16 universities in the country are among the top 50 best universities in Asia, 13 of which occupy high positions in world rankings - this is a very high figure compared to other countries.

Today there are more than 600 universities in Japan, 457 of them are private. There are more than 2.5 million students in the country, most of whom study at small private universities. There are a large number of very small universities with no more than 300 students in two faculties. A student can enroll in state universities only if he or she has completed secondary education. Admission of applicants is carried out in two stages: the first test is carried out by the National Center for Student Admission to Universities, and the test itself is called the “General Test of Achievement at the First Stage”. If the student successfully passes this test, he can proceed to take the entrance exam at the university itself. Please note that if you have the maximum grades on the first test, the applicant can apply for a place in the most prestigious universities in the country.

A characteristic feature of universities in the country is a clear gradation into special and general disciplines and sciences. During the first two years of study, students take a course in general sciences, which include history, social studies, foreign languages, philosophy and literature, and also take special courses dedicated to their chosen specialty. The first two years are allotted for the student to have a general idea of ​​his future profession, and teachers can draw conclusions regarding the potential of each student. The next two years are devoted to the study of specialized disciplines in the industry chosen by the student. The duration of study is the same everywhere, regardless of profession and direction - general higher education is obtained in four years.

Dentists, veterinarians and doctors study two more years than other students. Students ultimately receive a gaku-shi degree, which is equivalent to a European bachelor's degree. Note that students have the right to enroll in universities for 8 years, so there are practically no deductions.

In most universities in the country, the educational process is presented in the form of a semester system. Over the course of two semesters, the student must complete a certain number of credits in the subject. The number of credit units is determined by the total number of hours allocated for studying the discipline. After this, all indicators are summed up and by the end of the fourth year, the student must score from 124 to 150 units to receive a bachelor's degree. In Japan, higher education is considered compulsory and it is, as it were, merged with the vocational education system. The higher education system includes the following main four types of educational institutions:

full cycle universities (4 years);

accelerated cycle universities (2 years);

vocational colleges;

technical institutes.

At full-cycle universities, education lasts 4 years, but at medical and veterinary faculties it lasts 6 years. After completing the basic course of study at the university, the graduate can enter a master's or doctoral program.

Japanese undergraduate education is focused mainly on the “in-line” production of qualified representatives of the working class. This is due to the unprecedented scale of “proletarianization of mental labor” in Japan, where working in a factory (due to increased automation of production) began to require a high level of education, and white-collar work has ceased to be the prerogative of the intellectual elite class. A Japanese manager with a bachelor's degree does not need highly specialized knowledge, his training is “standardized,” and he does not represent a “unique product” of Japanese higher education. Therefore, the gap in the required level of education between a manager and a worker began to rapidly decrease. And the smaller the educational gap between white and blue collar workers, the greater the distance between bachelor's and master's degrees.

The task of the bachelor's degree is to produce specialists necessary to maintain the system, the task of the master's degree is to produce proactive analysts capable of designing its development. The technological leap in Japan became possible largely due to this division of tasks and the successful development of postgraduate schools. However, this provision remained effective only as long as Japanese corporations maintained a system of lifetime employment, paternalism towards employees and “promotion by seniority.” Business was really not interested in improving the level of undergraduate teaching, since each corporation had its own training centers where university graduates completed their studies and became familiar with the corporate culture. (This investment in workers is justified if they remain associated with the corporation throughout their lives.) But now this system has been shaken; corporations are dissatisfied with the low level of undergraduate education, since “additional training” of graduates “on site” requires too much money and time. The change in priorities lies one of the reasons for the abolition of old and the emergence of new hierarchies that the education reform brought (for example, a sharp drop in the prestige of most private universities and the growth of the prestige of universities with developed schools of postgraduate education).

The duration of master's studies in Japanese universities is 2 years. Doctoral studies require 5 years of study. Japanese universities have a unique in the world institution of “student-researcher” - kenkyusei. This means that a student who has set the goal of obtaining a scientific degree has the opportunity to engage in research work in his chosen specific field of knowledge for from 6 months to 1 academic year. There are 3 main types of research students:

a student who continues his studies at another university under an agreement with the university where he took the main course;

a foreign student who can be admitted to the university to prepare for entrance exams for up to 2 years, but without subsequently extending his stay in Japan; in this case, the student can return home and after some time again request an entry visa to enter the university.

Fast-track universities. At accelerated cycle universities, the duration of study is 2 years, but for those wishing to become a nurse, the duration of study is 3 years. About 60% of fast-track university students are girls. They specialize in areas such as economics, literature, foreign languages, pedagogy, and social protection. In recent years, social sciences have become particularly popular in Japan. Vocational colleges. This type of higher education in Japan is aimed at those who wish to receive a highly technical education. The duration of training in this case is no more than 3 years. Technical institutes. The duration of study at such institutes is 5 years and they provide extensive technical training to their students. Graduates of such institutes find jobs in companies and research centers related to the development of new advanced technology and know-how. Technical institutes also train merchant marine specialists.

In recent years, the Ministry of Higher Education of Japan, Mombusho, has begun to pay special attention to short-term forms of special education for foreign students. The stipulated periods of stay in the country can range from 1 semester to 1 year. About 20 private universities in Japan currently provide such education. However, their number is growing rapidly, including due to the connection of state universities. At the same time, the state and private foundations provide scholarships and other types of financial assistance under the conditions provided for full-cycle students.

Short-term education options in Japan are focused on areas of knowledge such as the Japanese language, Japanese culture, economics, and social studies. Since the training program in these areas provides a limited time period (up to 1 year), it is conducted in English in the chains of obtaining maximum knowledge in a minimum time. If they have a good knowledge of the Japanese language, “short-term” students can attend lectures given to Japanese students of a given university. The guarantor for inviting short-term students is a university that has an agreement on admitting foreign students. However, in some cases, university teachers as private individuals can act as guarantors. A short-term student traveling to Japan for an internship may not interrupt his studies at Russian universities.

To obtain a master's degree, a student must complete a two-year education, submit a master's thesis and receive a positive grade for it, and also pass an exam in their specialty. The duration of postgraduate study is three years, but after two years of master's study. A graduate student is considered to have completed graduate school if he submits a doctoral dissertation with a positive grade and passes the exam in his specialty well.

Probably, many people have heard about the so-called advanced education system in Japan, but few people (except, perhaps, fans of Japanese cartoons and comics) imagine that it exists. However, before talking about education, it is worth saying a few words about the mentality and traditions of the Japanese, because it was they, according to the author of the article, that made education in this country so different from the European and Russian ones we are used to (although the American model of education was taken as a model in Japan ).

Hard work

Firstly, it is worth noting the hard work of the Japanese. Unlike our country, where few people have always paid attention to hard work, in Japan it is put at the forefront. We can say that it is valued there much higher than intelligence, ingenuity, the ability to get out and other qualities useful to a person. It is worth saying that they are partly right, because without hard work there is no progress. However, Japanese industriousness is not aimed at development, but rather at excellent execution of routine activities. Diligence and the desire to do the job as best and quickly as possible are qualities vital to the average Japanese worker. Many people in Japan stay at work until late at night (even office workers); work often causes the entire family to move several times a year (which, for example, is a little unusual for Russia).

Secondly, in Japan free-thinking and arguing with superiors are categorically discouraged. Since the deepest Middle Ages, this country has maintained a highly respectful attitude towards superior people. Subordinates are obliged to unquestioningly obey and please their boss, carry out all orders efficiently and on time. This is another distinctive quality of a good employee.

Attitude towards education

The attitude towards education in Japan is very reverent. Unlike our country, higher education there is the lot of a few, especially in areas such as medicine or information technology. Education fees are quite high, and parents rarely pay for their children’s higher education. Therefore, after school, the Japanese immediately find a part-time job or go back to their main job.

From kindergarten onwards, Japanese children are taught that the world is built on competition. Already upon entering primary school at the age of 6 (grades 1-6 in the Russian system we understand), children face quite difficult exams. At the same time, many junior schools are already paid. The better and more prestigious the school, the more expensive the tuition and the more difficult the exams. In elementary school, the emphasis is on learning the Japanese language (the average student must complete about 1,850 hieroglyphs) and on the child’s adaptation to the team. After graduating from primary school, exams for secondary school (grades 7-9) are taken. Junior and secondary education are compulsory; after graduating from high school, many students already find work and do not go to high school. Those who managed to pass the exams and enter high school (grades 10-12) have another 3 years of study and graduation. After graduating from high school, a Japanese student has the right to apply to a university or college.

Learning process

All high schools and some middle schools are fee-paying. However, despite the costs, most parents strive to send their children to private schools, because the education there is better, and prestige plays a rather important role in the life of the Japanese. Children studying in fee-paying schools quickly realize that it is not profitable for them to stay for a second year. In addition, every six months all students take mandatory exams in test form and gain points for each subject. The exam results are posted on a common board in the form of a rating in descending order of points. Unsuccessful students take a retake and stay for additional classes (including summer classes). If after retaking the student still fails to achieve acceptable scores, he remains in the second year.

The educational process in Japanese schools is organized as constant preparation for the next exams. As a result, children are constantly forced to memorize material that could be useful in tests. Creative and leisurely acquisition of knowledge is completely excluded in Japan. Due to frequent exams, the popularity of additional courses to improve academic performance is growing. Japanese youth visit them after school and club activities.

The school year for schoolchildren begins in April. Studying takes place in 3 terms; between terms there are summer (about a month) and winter (also about a month) holidays, which are shortened if the student needs to attend additional classes. The school week consists of 6 days - from Monday to Saturday. Lessons begin in the first shift - at 8 - 9 o'clock in the morning and continue until 3-4 o'clock in the afternoon. After classes there are club activities.

Japanese school clubs

It’s worth telling more about Japanese school clubs. Unlike Russia, school club activities there are highly encouraged and even funded by the government. The clubs themselves are created either by students (you need to submit an application, attract a certain number of members and find a teacher-supervisor) or teachers (most often this applies to sports sections). The focus of school clubs is very different - sports, cultural, and based on interests. The main thing is the obvious benefit for students and the presence of interest on their part. Each club is allocated a certain amount of funds from the school budget. The distribution of funds is handled by the student council - an education consisting of students, selected by student vote every year.

School life

Every autumn, schools in Japan are required to hold school cultural festivals.

The purpose of such festivals (in addition to entertainment for students and their parents) is to attract new students to the school. The class is allocated a certain amount of funds and space to implement a unique idea within the school, such as creating a cafe, theatrical production, house of horrors, etc. Students are freed from classes for several days and diligently prepare for the festival. As a rule, festivals last from one to three days; quite a lot of visitors come to the school on these days. Such a festival usually ends with fireworks, traditional for Japan.

In addition to cultural festivals, each school holds sports festivals. At such festivals, each class competes with others in a number of disciplines, and based on the results, a winning class is selected and awarded a small prize.

Japanese schools are also interesting for their school trips. Every self-respecting school with the onset of the warm season takes its students on excursions to historical places. Such excursions last about 3 days, students travel by bus or plane and spend the night in a hotel.

School life in Japan is indeed quite an interesting time. Hard work is encouraged in every possible way, conditions for collective activity and development are created, and interest in school events is stimulated. A sense of collectivism is also instilled here: group projects are encouraged. All conflicts that arise in Japanese schools are resolved by the students themselves; parents are involved only in extreme cases.

Higher education

Education at Japanese universities begins after high school, is strictly paid and lasts 4 years for a bachelor's degree and 6 years for a master's degree. Unlike schools, Japanese universities are built on European models. Among the Japanese, university education is considered truly the highest.

For the first couple of years, all Japanese students study a number of general education subjects. They are compulsory, and every more or less prestigious and reputable university places emphasis on extensive general educational training for young people. In some universities, general education subjects make up up to half of all subjects studied by students. In the first two years of study, students can still think about their choice and transfer to another faculty at the end of 2 years. There are usually about 10 of them in state universities. After this, full-fledged training in subjects in the specialty begins.

Higher education in Japan is in many ways similar to the educational systems of other developed Western countries. But the unique culture of this country could not but leave its mark on this area.

General characteristics

The education system in Japan is rightfully considered one of the oldest in the world. It originates back in the VI-VII centuries. It was then that the education system in developed Asian countries came to the island from the mainland.

It is based on the Chinese education system, which remains only slightly modified to this day.

The modern education system in Japan is as follows:

• preschool education (nursery, kindergarten, special educational institutions with a correctional program for disabled children);
• school education, consisting of three levels: primary (sho:gakko), middle (chu:gakko) and high (iko:to:gakko) schools;
• higher and special education (technical schools, colleges, universities).

And here is a diagram on which you can study in more detail the features of the education system in Japan:

Education system in Japan: interesting facts

The Japanese school has many interesting features that distinguish it from the domestic one.

For example, the numbering of classes here is not like ours (end-to-end). Class numbers are assigned according to internal rules. For example, 4th grade of primary school, 2nd grade of secondary school, etc.

There is no free high school in Japan, much less a university. However, there is a tiny number of state-owned institutions where you can study at a slightly lower cost.

Free education in Japan can only be obtained in nurseries and kindergartens.

If our academic year is divided into 4 quarters, then in the land of the rising sun this year lasts 3 terms: the first lasts from April 6 to July 20, followed by summer holidays, the second term lasts from September 1 to December 26, and the third from 7 January to March 25.

The week without classes that separates the third and first trimesters is a kind of transition from one class to another.

The Japanese school year begins in April, as this is the beginning of spring, when the cherry blossoms bloom.

The school week lasts 6 days (in rare schools – 5). At the same time, students must be given Saturdays off twice a month.

The school curriculum here is not determined by the state, but depends on the specific educational institution. But they all have the same basis – developed by the state.

School education program

At the age of six, the child is sent to primary school. Before starting training, he must master the basics of arithmetic and master the technique of reading katakana and hirogana.

Upon entering primary school, children study mathematics, Japanese, and science. Imagine - chemistry and physics from elementary school! In addition, they teach ethics, history, etiquette, music, home economics, fine arts and physical education. As a final test of knowledge, you will have to pass an exam on knowledge of 1006 state kanji characters (and there are 1945 in total!!!).

Having passed the exam, the child enters secondary school, where he continues to study all the same sciences as at the previous stage. This also includes the study of English and some elective subjects (depending on the chosen school). Among all the subjects in high school, the most difficult are mathematics, Japanese and English.

High school students have the same curriculum. The only difference is that they can devote a little more time to highly specialized subjects.

Japan Special Education

Japanese special education was built on Western models. But here it is extremely difficult to obtain a professional education, since narrow specialists are highly valued.

A completely different story is “juku” - schools of excellence, or, to put it more simply, tutoring schools. Already from the 7th grade, these schools are actively advertised among students who choose the schools that suit them and enroll. Classes should be attended 2-3 times a week in the evenings. The teacher carefully analyzes the material of the chosen discipline, and also works through additional material in detail so that students successfully pass final exams at school.

Despite the fact that all juku are paid, almost all schoolchildren attend such classes. Thanks to this juku, they bring in more than a trillion yen - an amount equal to the state's military budget.

Exams

Like ours, exams for Japanese schoolchildren are the most terrible and difficult test. Each exam lasts several hours. And the difficulty can be judged by the fact that students have to additionally prepare for them for a very long time.

But in primary school there are no exams. But in middle and high school they have to be taken 5 times annually: at the end of each trimester and in the middle of the first 2 trimesters.

Intermediate exams are taken in the following disciplines:

• mathematics,
• Japanese,
• English language,
• social science,
• natural sciences.

After each trimester, you have to pass a complex comprehensive exam to test absolutely all disciplines.

Depending on the result obtained, it will be clear whether the student has transferred to high school or not. The number of points earned is important for admission to a more prestigious school. If the results are poor, the student will face a bad school, after which it will be impossible to go to university and generally have any prospects in a future career.

Features of higher education in Japan

Universal higher education in Japan is in a strict hierarchy. It is very difficult to study there, as there is discrimination everywhere. The only universities where students do not experience discrimination are full-cycle universities (4 years). However, there is also a hierarchy there:

1. Prestigious private universities (Waseda, Nihon Keio, Tokai). Those who manage to successfully graduate from these universities will become the elite, senior managers, and representatives in the government. It is impossible to get into these universities without proper preparation and recommendations. But a diploma from there will be a pass to any job, regardless of what specialization and what grades you studied for.
2. Top universities in the country (University of Tokyo and Yokohama). The cost of training here is much lower. But it will be extremely difficult to get in because of the huge competition.
3. Other universities. They are organized by prefectures. Tuition fees will be low with relatively little competition for a place.
4. Small private universities. With high tuition fees, students do not receive any guarantees for further employment. And the diploma is not considered prestigious.

There is no compulsory higher education in Japan because not everyone can afford to pay for their studies. But in most universities, the cost of tuition will not be affordable for 90% of the Japanese population.

We can say that all higher education is paid. According to statistics, only 100 out of 3,000,000 students can receive free education. However, the price will be completely different depending on the chosen university.

Education for foreigners

Huge amounts of money and incredibly difficult exams raised the level of education in Japan above most other countries. That is why it is considered very prestigious to get an education here. Foreigners are trying in every way to do this. And there are 2 such methods:

1. Obtaining a standard higher education. Duration of training – 4-6 years. The average cost of study is 6-9 thousand US dollars. To study here, a foreigner will have to work hard not only on learning the Japanese language, but also on the entrance exams.
2. Accelerated course for obtaining education at a university. Duration of training – 2 years. The cost is much lower, and everything else is much simpler. It is enough to speak at least English.

Here you can get acquainted with the Japanese education system in more detail:

If a foreigner wants to enroll in a Japanese university after graduating from a university in his home country, he will have to get an apostille on his own diploma. Since Japan is a party to the Hague Convention, a foreigner will not have to bother with legalization (and this is much more difficult), but only use an apostille.

All incoming foreigners are given the same equal opportunities, regardless of their country of residence. And if you have no problems with admission to the university and payment, you will be happy to see you at the chosen university in Japan.

Japanese universities have begun to actively attract young people from neighboring Asian countries, especially from China, Taiwan, and Korea. But this does not prevent people from developed Western countries who want to join the great Japanese culture and get to know the national management system from trying their luck.

According to statistics, there are about 1,000 American students studying in Japan.

Researchers and teachers from other countries are actively recruited to work with foreign students and for the common good of Japan. And if previously a foreigner could not hold leadership positions, recently a law was passed according to which a foreign specialist can hold a full-time position in Japanese universities.

And if a foreign student does not speak Japanese well, he can take a specially organized one-year Japanese course at the Osaka International Student Institute. And as part of the exchange, about 1,000 English teachers come to Japan every year.

Foreign students and Japanese citizens are admitted to local universities on the same basis. The applicant must have a certificate of completion of 12 years of study in their country. For foreigners, this is often 11 years of their school and 1 year at a college/institute/preparatory course, as well as at a Japanese language school at the International Students Institute or Kansai International Students Institute.

You can study here even if you have passed the exams under the International Baccalaureate, Abitur, etc. programs.

A general education exam for foreign students is mandatory here. For example, humanities students will be tested on their knowledge of mathematics, world history, and English. A science student will answer questions in physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and English.

But the most important thing is passing the Japanese language test. This test is administered by the Association for International Education itself. You can take it to 31 countries around the world. The test consists of the following blocks:

1. Testing your knowledge of hieroglyphs and vocabulary.
2. Auditory perception.
3. Reading and testing knowledge in the field of grammar.

There are 4 levels of difficulty for this exam. For the first level, you need to undergo training for 900 hours and know 2000 hieroglyphs. For the second - 600 hours and 1000 hieroglyphs. For the third - 300 hours and 300 hieroglyphs. Fourth – 150 hours and 100 hieroglyphs.

If you manage to pass the first level exam, you can enroll in any university in the country (both for a bachelor’s degree and for a master’s degree). Some universities also accept those who have passed the second level exam. The third level allows you to get a job in a Japanese company.

The cost of training for foreigners will be completely different depending on the chosen university. But it should be borne in mind that the most expensive specialties are those related to economics, medicine, philology, pedagogy (up to 900 thousand yen at the rate of 1 US dollar = 109 yen at the rate as of 06/05/2018).

As for living expenses, a foreign student should be prepared to pay about 9-12 thousand yen per year, depending on the location of the university.

About 80% of foreign students study in Japan at their own expense. The rest receive their education through various scholarships.

By the way, we already have material on how to get a grant and scholarship to study abroad. Take a look, you will probably find a lot of interesting things for yourself.

Advanced training

After graduating from universities, graduates continue to study at corporations that will hire them. In Japan, there is a so-called “lifetime employment system” - a guarantee of employment of one person in one company for 55-60 years. At the same time, the employer considers the candidacy very carefully. He pays attention to everything: the ranking of the graduating university, test results, the results of the degree of general training and culture, the degree of mastery of humanitarian and technical knowledge. If all this is satisfactory, the applicant is invited to undergo an interview. During a personal meeting, the student’s personal qualities will be assessed: readiness to compromise, sociability, commitment, ambition, ability to integrate into the system of existing relationships, etc.

Hiring is carried out only once a year - in April! The lucky one will have to undergo a mandatory short training course of up to 4 weeks, during which he will be introduced to the company, production, structure, development history, traditions, and concept.

At the end of the introductory course, studies begin again. It can last from one month to one year. As a rule, training mainly consists of practical training, which is carried out by different departments of the company. There will also be a course of lectures and seminars on the system of organizing production, sales, labor, and the specifics of the activities of future managers. But usually there are much more practical classes than theoretical ones.

As soon as the employee is minimally familiar with one specialty, he is transferred to another place, where the learning process begins again. It is interesting that in Japan the best way to improve the skills of employees is such a periodic system of jobs during the employee’s working life. Thanks to this, the company can develop a general manager who will be perfectly aware of all the specifics of the work of many divisions of the organization.

But, of course, to be a manager, you will have to receive additional academic education. An applicant for a management position must complete courses in production management, service management, product sales, finance, human resources management and international trade.

This all seems quite complicated. But at the same time, do not forget that with such an education you will have much more prospects in your professional activities. And if preparing for admission to Japanese universities is clearly preventing you from studying normally at a domestic university or school, do not despair. A reliable friend in the form of a student assistance service will help solve any problems in the form of problems with tests, coursework, etc.

The Japanese attitude towards education differs from what Russians are accustomed to just as much as the Japanese and Russian mentalities differ. At all stages of education, starting from the preschool period, education is considered as one of the priorities that will ensure a decent standard of living in the future. When going to study in Japan, our compatriot must be ready to accept the unusual rules of existence and try not to make a mistake in choosing an educational institution.

Features and structure of the Japanese educational system

Tradition and modernity, closely intertwined throughout the entire way of life of the Japanese, are reflected in the structure of the state’s education system. The formation of the Japanese educational system followed the model of the American and Western European ones, but with the preservation of traditional national values.

The educational system in Japan consists of several stages

Preschool education

Children, as a rule, begin to acquire knowledge and adapt to society at the age of 3 - it is at this age that a child enters kindergarten, which is the first stage of the educational system in Japan. If there are sufficiently compelling reasons, you can enroll your child in kindergarten from the age of three months; one of the reasons may be that both parents work more than 4 hours a day. Preschool education in the Land of the Rising Sun has significant differences from most Western programs and methods. The Japanese were among the first to talk about the importance of early development. Masaru Ibuka, the famous director of the Talent Training organization and the creator of the Sony company, argued in his book “After Three It’s Too Late” more than 50 years ago that the foundations of personality are laid in the first three years of life. From the first days of being in a preschool institution, the child is introduced to a collective pastime, in which manifestations of individualism are not welcomed. One of the main tasks of education is to teach a child to feel like a member of a group, to show attention to other participants, to be able to listen to others and answer their questions, i.e. to learn to experience empathy. Learning to count and write is not a primary goal: it is generally accepted that it is much more important to develop in a child such qualities as diligence in achieving goals, independence in decision-making, and curiosity about the world around him. Kindergartens in Japan are both public and private.

The school stage is very important for Japanese children

Secondary education level

The beginning of April in Japan is marked by cherry blossoms and the start of the school year in schools, where children start from the age of 6. Secondary education in Japan, as in most countries around the world, is divided into three levels: primary school for 6 years, middle school for 3 years, and high school (also 3 years). The academic year consists of three trimesters:

• the first lasts from April 6 to July 20,
• the second begins on September 1 and ends on December 26,
• the third - from January 7 to March 25.

Free education is provided only in primary and secondary schools, high school is paid. Starting from secondary school, English and special subjects are necessarily introduced into the curriculum if the institution has any professional orientation or is tied to a specific university. In high school, increased emphasis is placed on the study of special subjects. An important fact: students in grades 7 to 12 take exams five times a year, which in Japanese schools are quite difficult and require a lot of preparation time. The exam procedure itself can take several hours. The results, as a rule, influence where the student continues his studies - in a prestigious school with a good prospect of entering a university or in a school, after which further studies will be problematic. About 75% of secondary school graduates continue their studies in higher education institutions.

Once in Japan, I did not know either katakana or hiragana, but after three months I could already calmly communicate with the Japanese in Japanese. But from school I took away not only excellent knowledge of the Japanese language and Japanese culture, but also a unique upbringing. The school taught me to set goals and strive to achieve them... and taught me community through the warm care of teachers.

Vladislav Krivorotko

http://yula.jp/ru/channel/graduate-ru/

Special and inclusive education in Japan

In addition to regular schools, in Japan there are so-called Juku schools - private educational institutions in which students can take a special additional course in the general education program for successful admission to higher education institutions. In other words, such schools represent a special form of tutoring, but in some cases they also provide classes in music, sports, and various types of traditional Japanese arts.

A specially created National Association deals with the problems of children with disabilities in Japan; in addition, there is a headquarters for carrying out reforms in the education system for such children. The headquarters is headed by the most influential persons of the state. This approach to solving issues of inclusive education allows us to take measures at the legislative level to ensure equal rights guaranteed by the Constitution for everyone regarding the choice of place and method of education. In addition, it is possible to effectively monitor compliance with such rights.

During the learning process, schoolchildren take difficult exams, for which they prepare long and hard

Higher education

In order to successfully find a job in the future, Japanese youth strive to enroll in prestigious universities, among which the most popular are Tokyo and Kyoto universities, as well as universities in Osaka, Sapporo (Hokkaido), Sendai (Tohoku) and others. The structure of the educational process in Japanese higher education institutions is similar in organizational and administrative aspects to the higher education system of Western Europe and the USA, but due to the peculiarities of mentality and cultural traditions it also has differences. University training is distinguished by a high level of teaching. In both private and public universities, tuition is paid and can range from 4 to 7 thousand US dollars per year. To obtain a bachelor's degree, students study for 4 years, and a master's degree for another 2 years. In technical universities, training lasts 5 years, medical or veterinary education is completed within 12 years. There is an accelerated course of study at universities, designed for two years - for teachers, sociologists, philologists, etc. The academic year is divided into two semesters: from April to September and from October to March. Accommodation in a dormitory will cost a student $600–800 per month.

Not rich enough? There is a solution - a training grant!

The desire to get an education in Japan does not always coincide with opportunities. The lack of the required amount of funds pushes us to search for alternative ways to solve the problem. One of them is receiving a grant to study at one of the universities in Japan. Such a grant is provided annually by the Japanese government through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Monbukagakusho.Mext) under the “Student” program. To participate in the competition for a grant, the candidate must meet certain requirements, including citizenship of a country that maintains diplomatic relations with Japan, age, usually from 17 to 22 years, and complete secondary education. In addition, the applicant must be ready to actively study the language and culture of Japan and not have problems with physical and mental health.

Training couldn't be more intense, and language school is just one part of the process. We all study here every day: we make new friends, read books, leaf through magazines, watch TV and listen to the radio. I regularly receive my share of new vocabulary from friends, Japanese blogs and books. Not a day goes by without your vocabulary expanding by at least a couple of points.

Daria Pechorina

http://gaku.ru/students/1_year_in_japan.html

Persons who are military personnel at the time of arrival in Japan, who did not arrive at the place within the time specified by the host university, who previously received a grant from the Japanese government, who are already studying in Japan, who have scholarships from other organizations, who have dual citizenship ( Japanese should be abandoned). To pass the selection, the candidate submits an application of the established form to the Japanese diplomatic mission and passes written tests in mathematics, English and Japanese, as well as in physics, chemistry and biology, depending on the specialization.

Grant in hand, what's next?

If the selection is successful, the future student will be awarded a scholarship in the amount of 117 thousand yen; Tuition fees, as well as expenses associated with entrance exams, are borne by the Japanese government. Before starting their studies, students undergo a preparatory course for one year, including intensive study of the Japanese language, introduction to the specialty and other disciplines. Education at Japanese universities is conducted only in Japanese. You can learn more about the procedure for submitting documents and selection conditions on the official website of the Japanese Embassy in Russia.

Video: a student’s impressions after her first year of study at a Japanese university

In addition to government programs, there are many private and non-profit foundations that can provide scholarships for studying in Japan, there are scholarships from the Japan Association of International Education, the International Understanding program, the Ministry of Education for internship programs, etc. Another way to continue your studies in Japan is to participate in student exchange program between universities that have partnerships. Requirements for applicants from the CIS countries differ little from Russian ones; details of participation in government programs can be clarified at the Japanese embassies in their countries.

Studying in Japan helped me not only gain academic knowledge of the Japanese language (Noryoku Shiken N3), but also broaden my horizons (here you learn something new every day), strengthen my patience and willpower (since self-study takes a lot of time), as well as meet wonderful people and make new friends.

Elena Korshunova

http://gaku.ru/blog/Elena/chego_ojidat_ot_obucheniya/

Housing, part-time work, visa and other nuances

Students (including Russians, Ukrainians, and Kazakhstanis) can replenish their budget through part-time jobs, which could include working in cafes, restaurants, and other establishments in the service sector, or by teaching the Russian language, for example. To obtain a job, you will need a certificate of permission, which can be obtained from the immigration office after submitting a letter from the educational institution. Students in Japan are allowed to work no more than 4 hours a day. Many take advantage of this opportunity, despite the fact that the cost of education here is lower than in the most prestigious universities in the USA, Europe and even Russia.

Video: working in Japan for international students

Finding housing can be problematic: despite the fact that universities provide foreign students with dorm rooms, there are not enough places for everyone, so many are forced to rent premises in the private sector. The cost of living in rented housing can range from $500 to $800 per month.

A student visa is issued, as a rule, within 3–4 months, and the host university is the guarantor for its receipt. To obtain a visa you will need:

• a copy of the diploma or certificate from the last place of study,
• certificate of proficiency in Japanese,
• certificate from parents’ place of work,
• copy of birth certificate,
• a certificate from the bank stating that there are 14–15 thousand dollars in the account,
• international passport,
• 8 photos 3x4.

The entire package of documents must be translated into Japanese.

Table: advantages and disadvantages of studying in Japan

A young specialist with a diploma from a Japanese university has an incredibly high chance of getting a job in one of the most prestigious world-famous companies due to the fact that the level of teaching in Japanese universities is one of the best in the world. The government and private companies spare no investment in the development of science and education. All universities and colleges in Japan are equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and highly qualified teachers, ensuring that the education provides in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical skills. In addition, as they study, students become familiar with such national qualities of the Japanese as incredible perseverance and discipline, which will not be superfluous in later life.

The Japanese education system begins with kindergartens 幼稚園 (yochien) and 保育園 (hoikuen) for pre-school children, followed by 9 years of compulsory education 義務教育 (gimukyōiku), which consists of a 6-year elementary school 小学校 (shogakko) and 3-year secondary school 中学校 (chu:gakko). Entry into primary school begins at the age of 6, which is compulsory for all children over that age.

After high school, a student can continue his studies at a high school 高等学校 (ko:togakko), abbreviated as 高校 (ko:ko:), passing the entrance exams. High school education lasts 3 years. After graduating from high school, you can enroll in Japanese universities, which include universities 大学 (daigaku) ​​and vocational colleges 専門学校 (senmon gakko). Each of these educational institutions differs in terms of study duration and content of educational courses.

Foreign students can be recognized as having graduated from a secondary school if they have knowledge equivalent to that of Japanese 高等学校 (koto gakko) graduates. The last stage is not compulsory, but is necessary for admission to universities, while secondary education is sufficient for admission to colleges.

The school year in Japan, with some exceptions, begins in April and ends in March of the following year. Foreign students are advised to take this schedule into account when planning to enroll in a Japanese university, especially for entrance exams.

Read more about the education system in Japan and opportunities for training foreign students in the lecture "Education in Japan: prospects and opportunities"

Full and accelerated cycle universities, postgraduate schools

In Japan, there are full-cycle universities 大学 (daigaku), with a duration of 4 years, and accelerated universities 短期大学 (tanki daigaku), with a duration of 2 years. For both types, the standard period of study in graduate school 大学大学院 (daigaku daigakuin) is: 2 years for a master's degree, 5 years for a doctorate, and 2 years for obtaining an academic degree in a specialty. There are state, public (prefectural, municipal, etc.) universities, and private ones. The majority of universities in Japan are private educational institutions. Currently, in Japan, about half of high school graduates enroll in both cycles of university.

In Japanese universities, regardless of the faculty and department, along with the study of special disciplines, much attention is paid to compulsory subjects, such as foreign languages, physical education, computer science, etc.

The admission of foreign students to Japanese universities is in many cases on the same basis as the admission of Japanese students.

Upon completion of the basic course of study at a full-cycle university, a bachelor's degree is awarded (学士 (gakushi), and at an accelerated-cycle university 短期学士 (tanki daigakushi). After graduating from an accelerated cycle university, a graduate can enter a full cycle university.

In graduate school, depending on the system and faculty, graduates are awarded the degree "Master of Science" 修士 (shu:si), "Doctor of Science" 博士 (hakushi) and "academic degree in the specialty" 専門職学位 (senmonshoku gakui).

Vocational colleges 専門学校 (senmongakko)

Vocational colleges are secondary technical educational institutions where students acquire specialized knowledge and skills necessary for their chosen profession. In Japan, colleges are considered institutions of higher education. The purpose of such institutions is to develop professional skills that are in demand in modern society. The educational process is based on practical exercises.

The standard period of study in colleges is 2 years, sometimes 3 years. Upon completion of training, the qualification “Specialist” 専門士 (senmonshi) is awarded. After 2 years of college, a graduate gets the opportunity to enter a full-cycle university in the 3rd year, sometimes in the 2nd year. After completing such a course, the qualification “Specialist of the highest category” 高度専門士 (ko:do senmonshi) is awarded and the graduate has the right to continue his studies in graduate school.