“The Making of a Japanese (Kouluvuosi Japanissa)” is a documentary film that follows students and their teachers for one year at a public elementary school in Tokyo, Japan.
In Finland, after its release in 2023, it is now available for free on the national broadcasting website. (Viewers in EU countries can watch it via the link below.) ▶ Watch the documentary here In January, a film screening event was organized by Kenta Inoue, a graduate from the Changing Education program.
About a dozen Changing Education students from Europe (including Finland), East/Southeast/West Asia (including Japan), and South America participated. Their backgrounds were quite diverse, some working as teachers, school principals, or counselors.
Following the screening, we had a lively discussion about Japanese education as depicted in the film, comparing it with the participants’ home countries and Finland. Below is a summary of key takeaways from the discussion.
1. Teaching Methods & Teacher-Student Relationships
Japanese teachers demonstrate a high level of professionalism and provide high-level instruction.
Strong relationships are built between teachers and students.
Teachers trust the students and have a “growth mindset” (the belief that abilities can be developed through learning).
Students are encouraged to be autonomy and to take responsibility for their actions from an early age, possibly incorporating ideas from Montessori education.
Teachers set high expectations for students, particularly in areas like music and group performances. While this promotes excellence, it seems like they are forcing extra perfectionism on the students.
Teaching methods that humiliate a specific student in front of other students raised concerns, as they can lead to controlling the students. While the teacher might have taken the student’s personality and home environment into account, the scene in the film appeared excessive and even harmful.
2. Collectivism in Japanese Education
Teachers emphasize collectivism, fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty to the class. While it is not good to take this idea too far since it can become like military training, this idea may be important to a certain extent.
Group performance is prioritized over individual achievement. Maintaining harmony is valued, and behaviors that disrupt it are discouraged.
The teachers emphasize discipline, which is sometimes necessary and a simple way to deal with such a large class size.
One notable approach observed in the film was a teacher scolding the whole group when addressing mistakes but praising individual students when acknowledging achievements.
Students do not want to disrupt the harmony of the group, so they are motivated to try (i.e., practice) hard. This leads to their high sense of responsibility.
3. Student Responsibilities & School Culture
A standout aspect of Japanese education is how students take care of their school environment, from preparing lunch to cleaning classrooms.
Unlike in some countries where cleaning work is stigmatized, the Japanese system, where everyone does the cleaning, is good in that it does not lead to this social hierarchy.
Teacher collaboration is strong, with frequent feedback and communication among colleagues.
The documentary provided an insightful look into Japanese education, showcasing both its strengths and challenges. What do you think? If you've watched the documentary, we’d love to hear your thoughts on how Japanese education compares to other systems around the world!
About the Author
Yamato is a first-year Changing Education master's student from Japan. He has been working in Japan's Ministry of Education (MEXT) and has a background and interest in educational systems, educational administration, and policy-making.
Comments