Japanese School Year – All Questions Answered

Whether you are an exchange student, a foreign learner, or parents who are moving to Japan, it is crucial that you know what kind of education you or your kids will enroll in. In this article, we not only reveal all the basic information regarding Japanese education but also discover a whole Japanese school year.

First, what is the Japanese school system like?

Compulsory education in Japan lasts 9 years, from the Elementary School to Junior High School. See the Japanese school grade by ages in the below chart:

Like in other countries, there are two types of schools in Japan: public school and international school. Foreign students can register in both, and it is optional for them to follow the mandatory program. In an international school, the program will depend on the education system of many other countries. Check the Japanese education system for more details!

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One thing to bear in mind is that if your family move from abroad to Japan, your kids may have to change their grade. The reason is that in Japan, the rules for school grades are quite unique. Kids have a birthday between April 2nd and April 1st of the next year are in the same grade. So if your child was 6 years old before April 1^st, he/ she will enroll in the elementary school that year. But if he/ she was born later, he/ she has to wait for the following year. However, parents can always require the school to move their kids to a lower or higher class.

When does school begin and finish in Japan?

In Japan, children go to school from April to March. But they may study according to yo either a two-semester or three-semester system.

The three-semester system is dominant in popularity. In this system, students have the first semester between April and August, the second semester between September and December, and the next 4-month period is the third semester. At the end of each semester, there will be a break, called Summer, Winter, and Spring holiday respectively. Summer break is usually a little longer, approximately a month, while other breaks will be a few weeks maximum. You may read the below table for clearer information.

How many days a week do Japanese students go to school?

Five days during a week (Monday – Friday). Children in Japan normally don’t go to school on weekends but there are still some exceptions. On Saturday, a few schools still open classes.

If you do a simple calculation, you will see the volume of school days per year is around 210. That is the minimum estimate. Including other non-academic events, the number can rise up to 240 days.

Student Teachers

For college students aspiring to become educators, the experience gained during student teaching is immensely valuable. Typically occurring during their final year of college, student teachers immerse themselves in a school environment for one to two weeks, focusing on the grade level they wish to teach.

Due to their relative youth and the fact that they are not the regular classroom teacher, student teachers often become quite popular among the students, assuming a role more akin to that of an older sibling than a traditional instructor.

During this period, student teachers work closely with an experienced teacher, learning from their mentor and actively engaging with the students. Towards the end of their stint in the school, these aspiring teachers are provided with the opportunity to conduct their own class within their specialized field, with other educators in the school offering feedback and guidance.

Understandably, student teachers may feel nervous during this phase, and students often exhibit improved behavior in an effort to support and assist the student teacher during their lesson. In some cases, student teachers maintain connections with the class and continue to participate in classroom activities even after their formal student teaching period has concluded.

How much time a day do Japanese students study at school?

The daily schedule is up to each school in different regions, but the typical one will start from 8 am or 8:30 am to no later than 3:30 pm. That means six and a half hours at school every day. In the first and second year of Elementary school, kids will go home an hour earlier. But after classes, children in Japan usually start their club activities like sports until 5 or 6 p.m and attend extra classes at juku (cram school) in the evening.

When it comes to junior and high schools, students study for 6 periods, each of which is around 50 minutes long, daily. Then students clean the classrooms in shifts and join after-school clubs. Most school rules note that students attend one compulsory club activity once a week. Whether or not you want to join other activities is totally up to you.

School timetable

Let’s have a closer look at a sample school timetable for a high school student. First, he or she commonly takes part in the morning assembly which is kind of a brief meeting. It is also called the homeroom period within which headteachers distribute documents, mark the attendance, make some notification and help students to plan their day. After 4 periods in the morning, students gather at the homeroom to eat lunch. In the afternoon, they get only 2 classes before the end of the day clean-up and maybe another quick homeroom meeting.

If your kid’s school has classes on Saturday, typically, they just have to study in the morning and are dismissed at 1 pm. Besides, there should be a weekly longer homeroom meeting in most high schools. This is because high school students are in a critical time in their lives.  They need some help on vocational orientation, better understanding and reflection of themselves as well as upcoming advancement from one grade to another. The specific topics have already prepared by the teachers. These discussion topics are planned by teachers and scheduled beforehand.

Watch the following videos to find out more about a school day of a high school student in Japan:

What are some holidays throughout the Japanese school year?

Except for 3 major breaks I mentioned above, the Japanese school year is also interrupted by quite a few other national holidays. I name some most popular ones below:

There are some strange names here, so let me explain briefly.

• Respect for the Aged Day, as its name tells, is to honor the elder. For example, we would give the older member of the family flowers and cards.
• Culture Day, or Bunka no Hi in Japanese, is a really interesting holiday when art exhibitions and parades are held to appreciate the prominent artists’ work.
• Autumnal Equinox Day, otherwise called Shūbun no Hi, happens on the date of Southward equinox in Japan Standard Time. It may fall into 23 or 24 September depending on the time zones.
• Constitution Memorial Day is the day to remember the important historical events that the current Japanese constitution was founded. Fun fact, it is a section of Golden Week.
• Vernal Equinox Day or Shunbun no Hi in Japan is another non-religious holiday that celebrates the Northward equinox in Japan Standard Time.

Summer Break

Summer vacation for elementary, junior high, and high school students typically spans from July 20 to August 31, although there are regional variations in this schedule.

Unlike in some countries where summer vacation marks the division between academic years, Japanese students often have homework assignments to complete during this period and may even continue attending school for club activities.

Additionally, some schools require students to be present for various school-related events, such as morning assemblies, throughout the summer vacation.

For junior high and high school students, summer vacation does not signify a break from academic pursuits. In fact, for those preparing for upcoming high school or college entrance exams, the summer vacation often translates into an even more intense period of studying.

What are some Activities and Events in the Japanese School year?

Apart from official study time at school, Japanese students are highly active in extracurricular activities. For example:

• Entrance Ceremony: a celebration for entering elementary school children and junior high school. It usually has the presence of parents.
• Opening Ceremony (Shigyô shiki): a celebration for the start of every semester
• School Trips (Shûgaku ryokô): There is typically a minimum 2-day long excursion for last year students and various short trips for students to study outdoors (called Kougai gakushû)

• Class Observation / Parents’ day (Jugyou sankan/ Koukai jugyou): parents pay a visit to an actual class to observe their kids studying and have a conversation with the teachers
• Sports Day (Undou kai / Taiiku sai): parents are encouraged to join with their kids
• Music and Play Appreciations (Ongaku / Engeki kanshôkai): its purpose is to promote the children’s interest in arts and music

• Student Performance and Cultural Festival (Gakugeikai, Bunkasai): performance of students
• End of the Term Ceremony (Shûryô shiki)

Here are more details:

School Entrance and Semester Commencement and Conclusion Ceremonies

In early April, schools convene a formal ceremony to welcome new students. During this event, new students are introduced to their peers and teachers, offering teachers and principals the opportunity to engage with them. Many parents of the new students also attend, often dressed formally, to express support for their children and to connect with other parents and teachers.

This ceremony signifies a new phase in the students’ lives as they transition to a new school and life stage. Similar to cherry blossoms, the sight of students in their fresh school uniforms heading to school for the beginning of the school year is a common springtime scene in Japan.

Furthermore, Japanese schools hold ceremonies at the start and conclusion of each semester. While these ceremonies are not as elaborate as the entrance ceremony, they are still formal affairs. Students are expected to attentively listen to speeches and announcements by the principal.

The commencement ceremonies typically include the announcement of objectives for the upcoming semester, while the closing ceremonies often highlight significant events from the preceding semester.

School Excursions

Throughout the school year, students in a specific grade typically embark on educational outings to local points of interest. These excursions are often designed to complement the subjects studied in the classroom.

For instance, students might venture into the mountains to explore the environment, visit a factory to gain insights into corporate operations, or tour a farm to learn about agriculture and animals.

Field trips offer students the opportunity to interact in a more relaxed manner with both their peers and teachers compared to the regular classroom environment. While snacks are usually prohibited at school, students are typically allowed to bring them on these outings, which typically last for a single day.

Junior and senior high school students, typically in their second or third year, undertake more extensive journeys to different parts of the country, lasting up to a week. These trips often involve visits to historically significant sites, with Kyoto, the former imperial capital, being a popular choice.

In some schools, students even embark on international trips. Upon their return, students are expected to write brief reports summarizing their learning experiences during these excursions.

Athletic Festival or Undōkai

School athletic festivals are an integral part of the Japanese school year, alongside cultural festivals and school trips. Typically held on a school day in the fall, these festivals encompass a range of events, including track and field competitions, group dances, gymnastics, tug-of-war, and more.

Teams are formed based on homeroom classes, fostering friendly competition and giving classes the opportunity to boast about their victories. In recent years, many schools have extended participation to parents and community members, aiming to strengthen the bonds between the school, families, and the local community.

Some schools even encourage visitors to take part in events, such as tug-of-war matches between teachers and parents. Preparations for the athletic festival start well in advance, with students practicing group dances and creating elaborate banners for their homeroom classes.

In many cases, classes are canceled to allow students and teachers more time to prepare. The athletic festival is a time for students to enjoy themselves as a whole school community.

Cultural Festivals

Cultural festivals are another significant annual event in the Japanese school calendar, providing students and clubs with a platform to showcase their talents and achievements beyond the classroom.

These festivals are open to family members and members of the community. For junior high schools, cultural festivals involve award ceremonies, student and teacher performances, and the exhibition of artwork and other student projects.

In high school and college, cultural festivals take on a broader role, with students operating booths and shops in collaboration with their class, club, or group. Some university cultural festivals gain widespread recognition, attracting students from other universities and featuring performances by nationally renowned artists, as well as student-led performances.

High school and university cultural festivals can serve as a means of recruitment, offering prospective students a glimpse of the school’s culture. Cultural festivals are held at different times, depending on the school, but often coincide with Cultural Day (November 3).

Entrance Exam Season

The entrance exam season is a period of immense pressure for Japanese high school and junior high school students. It is during this time that students face rigorous and challenging examinations to gain admission to their preferred higher educational institutions.

Many students opt to attend Juku, a network of private tutoring schools, to prepare for these exams. Examinations at schools across the country are typically conducted from late January to late February. For those applying to private universities, specialized exams tailored to each institution are required.

Meanwhile, applicants to public universities must complete a standardized national exam in addition to school-specific exams. The need to prepare for multiple exams places significant stress on students. Junior high school students, with the guidance of their teachers, must make decisions about the schools they wish to apply to.

For those not pursuing academic high schools, the chances of attending college may decrease. Thus, students must make crucial decisions about their academic futures at a relatively early stage.

Graduation Ceremony or “Sotsugyō Shiki”

Just as students participate in formal entrance ceremonies when they commence their academic journey, they also partake in formal ceremonies when they conclude it. The graduation ceremony, typically conducted in late March, is a profoundly solemn occasion, distinct from the often celebratory tone of many graduation ceremonies in the United States.

During this ceremony, the principal confers diplomas upon the students, followed by a series of speeches delivered by the principal, other educators, and younger students. These speeches are characterized by reminiscences of their time with the graduating students. In return, the graduates express their gratitude and sentiments to their teachers, parents, and fellow students.

Class Inspection

To foster a strong connection between the school and families, many educational institutions host “class visitation” days. On these occasions, parents and guardians have the opportunity to visit the school and observe their child’s class in action.

More recently, some schools have expanded this concept to create “school visitation” days, during which all classes, lunch periods, and after-school activities are open for visitors to observe. This broader perspective allows guardians to gain insights into their child’s education, as well as the overall functioning of the school.

It offers parents and guardians a chance to witness the interactions between teachers and students within the school environment, complementing the teacher’s visits to students’ homes.

Teacher Home Visits

To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of a child’s home environment, homeroom teachers in preschools, elementary schools, and junior high schools often conduct home visits to their students.

These home visits provide teachers with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the students’ living conditions and engage with parents in a more comfortable setting. In addition to home visits, joint conferences involving parents, teachers, and students are typically held at the school.

These conferences, especially during the latter part of the second year and the middle of the third year, take on added significance. During these meetings, the three parties discuss the student’s future, including decisions regarding school applications and other relevant concerns.

For high school students, the primary topics of these meetings often revolve around choices related to college attendance or entry into the workforce.

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FAQs

1. What is the age range for students in the first year of high school in Japan?

The initial year of high school in Japan typically includes students aged 16 to 18. Japanese high school education spans three years, commencing at age 16 and concluding at age 18. A notable distinction between junior high and high school lies in the requirement for entrance exams.

2. Is 17 considered a legal age in Japan?

Japan’s recent decision to increase the age of consent to 16 aligns it with the practices in several American states and European countries such as the United Kingdom, Norway, and Finland. It is worth noting that several EU nations, such as Germany, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Hungary, Estonia, and Bulgaria, maintain a minimum age of consent at 14.

3. How many years does the school system in Japan encompass?

The mandatory education system in Japan spans a total of nine years, starting with six years of elementary school and concluding with three years of lower secondary school. Afterward, students proceed to upper secondary school, which caters to those who have completed their mandatory education and lasts for three years.

4. Is 16 still considered a minor in Japan?

For most legal processes, the age of majority in Japan remains 20 years old. Japan’s civil code, as defined in Article 4, designates the age of adulthood (成年, seinen) as 20 years old.

5. Does the school week in Japan include seven days?

No, public schools in Japan typically conduct classes from Monday to Friday, totaling five school days a week. While some schools may also have classes on Saturdays, junior high and high schools generally follow a schedule consisting of six daily class periods, each lasting around 50 minutes.

6. Is education provided for free in Japanese schools?

Public primary and secondary schools in Japan do not charge tuition fees, even for foreign students. However, families may be responsible for covering expenses related to school lunches, materials, uniforms, and contributions to the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). Schools usually provide a detailed list of required items.

7. What is the duration of a typical school day in Japan?

Generally, school starts at around 8:45 am in Japan. The school day typically concludes around 3:15 pm, resulting in approximately six and a half hours of school attendance from Monday to Friday. Additionally, many students participate in after-school clubs and some attend juku (cram school) in the evenings for extra study sessions.

Conclusion

In summary, the Japanese school year is a unique and structured educational system with key features like three-year high school education starting at age 16 and a nine-year mandatory education period. Understanding this system provides valuable insights into Japanese culture and education.

It’s a testament to their commitment to holistic development and academic excellence. Whether you’re a student considering studying in Japan or just curious about global education systems, the Japanese school year offers a fascinating perspective on education in Japan.