The educational system in Japan has undergone many changes over its long history and has evolved into its modern form. Elementary, junior and senior high school education is an important stage that is indispensable for the development of the nation as a whole and the development of human resources who will lead the future. In this article, we will focus on the history and development of elementary, junior high and high school education in Japan and explore the process of its evolution.

The beginning of education from ancient times to modern times

The roots of Japanese education go back to ancient times. In ancient Japan, Shinto education played an important role. Through Shinto rituals and events at shrines, children learned religious values ​​and ethics. In addition, among the aristocracy and monks, studies such as Chinese literature and Buddhism were emphasized, and a place for education was formed.
In the early modern period, learning spread under the influence of Confucianism, and educational opportunities expanded to children of the townspeople class. During the Edo period, private schools and terakoya (temple schools) flourished, and Japanese education became rooted in the local community.

Educational Reform and Popularization in Modern Japan

At the end of the 19th century, at the beginning of the Meiji period, Japan entered a period of modernization, learning from the advanced civilizations of Western countries. In 1872, the School Ordinance was promulgated, and large-scale reforms were carried out to put in place a modern form of school education. This reform led to the establishment of elementary schools and junior high schools, promoting the spread of primary education.
In 1890, the School Education Law was enacted, legalizing education from elementary school to high school. Along with modernization, education came to be recognized as an important factor contributing to the development of the nation and the improvement of the quality of the people.

Postwar Educational Reforms and Rapid Economic Growth

After World War II, Japan recovered from the war damage and entered a period of rapid economic growth. During this period, further progress was made in the spread and reform of education. In 1947, a new school education law was enacted, making education free and extending compulsory education.
During the high economic growth period, the spread of junior and senior high schools progressed, further enhancing academic and vocational education. Also, from the 1960s onwards, the rate of university enrollment increased and the expansion of higher education progressed, raising the level of education in Japan.

Contemporary Issues and Future Prospects

Education in Japan today faces new challenges such as intensifying international competition and social diversification. In order to respond to this, educational innovations are being promoted, such as promoting STEM education and inquiry-based learning, and reforming learning using ICT (information and communication technology).
Looking to the future, we need to develop diverse human resources. It is important to respect individual abilities and characteristics, and foster human resources who can play an active role in society independently. Also, education in collaboration with local communities and education with an international perspective will contribute to sustainable social development.