Figure 1.--. |
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Japan has an extensive network of pre-schools, primary schools, and secondary schools. The country has one of the best educational systems in the world. The program is certainly rigorous and demanding. Fewer Japanese children are left behind as in Western schools. There are criticisms of bullying and a failure to stimulate creativity. Schoolwear at pre-schools and primary schools vary, but almost all secondary schools require uniforms. Uniform styles are very different in the elementary and secondary schools. The decision on the uniform is up to the individual school. There is a wide variety of styles in the elrementary schools, but the secondary schools are more uniform. I'm not sure why there is such uniformity if the decision is up to the individual schools. Not only are uniforms required, but most schools, again especially the secondary schools, rigorously enforce the regulations adopted. Many secondary schools in the 1990s have begun to adopt new uniforms with a British look and move away from the former military styles worn at almost all schools.
Japan has two types of pre-schools, both day care centers and kindergardens. Kindergardens are widely available in Japan, but are not compulsory. Children in Japan can attend kindergarten from age 3 through 5 years. About half of Japanese parents sent their children to kindergardens. Many kindegardens are private. Kindergardens at first had half day programs, but are now extending their hours. This is in part to better compete with day care caenters which offer longer hours. This is important to parents, especially when both parents work. The number of kindergardens has been declining, both because of competition with day care centers and Japan's falling birthrate. Many stay at home mothers send their children to kindergardens. Working mothers are more likely to use day care centers. School varies at these pre-schools. Some have uniforms and they are quite varied.
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Compulsory education begins at age 6 years. This is the first year of primary school which is a 6 years program. Uniforms are not worn at all public elementary schools. Roughly only about a third requite them. Japanese elementary school children wear a wide variety of simple uniforms, usually consisting of caps of various designs, white shirts, short pants, and white knee socks. There is, however, considerable differences among schools. Many schools do have blazers, most commonly blue ones. They are usually worn seasonally. A few elementary schools have the Prussioan type military uniform normally associated with junior and senior high schools.
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Everything changes for Japanese children when they leave elementary school. Discipline at elementary schools is strict, but there is less formality and a closer personal bond withe teacher. The secondary schools are larger and much more inpersonal. The secondry schools are more strict and heavy amounts of homework are given. One of the changes is the uniforms. Virtually all secondary schools, both junior high and seniuir high schools require uniforms. Japanese boys in secondary schools, both intermediate/junior high schools have traditionally worn military style jackets and caps. The uniform looks quite standard all over the country, but this is probably because there are only a few manufacturers. It is an army-like uniform. The girls wear sailor suits, middy blouses and skirts. There are quite a few minor stylistic details in the middy blouses, but the use of the sailor suit is quite common. I don't know why a military style uniform became common for the boys and
a sailor suit for girls, but would appreciate any insights readers could offer on the historical background. In recent years a few secondary schools have begun to reassess the uniform. They have replaced the military/sailor styles with more-British-looking blazer and pants/skirts. This process is just beginning, but will likely become the principal style for secondary uniforms after the turn of the century. Japan is a very traditinal society, however, and such a major change will take place at a very slow pace.
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