Windows on Japanese Education

The fact that Japanese students consistently outperform other nationalities on international tests of educational achievement has made the Japanese educational system a leading topic for media attention and evaluative study. This volume is a collection of essays by Japanese and American scholars in the field of Japanese education that presents a systematic overview of this system, its strengths and its weaknesses. Topics ranging from the history of Japanese education and its recent reform campaign to the methods used to teach pre-schoolers and elementary students, women, teachers and engineers are the primary focus of this study. Each contributor writes both within his or her own speciality and with a view to those political, social and economic factors that affect the Japanese educational climate. A look to the future of Japanese higher edcation, as well as guidelines that can benefit educationals systems in other countries conclude the work.