DECEMBER 2025

Japan’s modern school education system began in 1872, when the country was in the process of modernization. Initiatives implemented in Japanese schools have recently attracted international attention and are being adopted in educational settings overseas. In this issue of HIGHLIGHTING Japan, we feature an interview with Professor AKITA Kiyomi about the development of Japanese school education, which has shaped the country’s distinctive culture, and the impact it has had on Japanese society. We also introduce Japanese schools from multiple perspectives, including educational initiatives and activities that are rare outside Japan, tours offering experiences of Japanese schools, and the spread of Japan’s educational system overseas.