Basic Knowledge about Schools in Japan

Languages
- 日本語
- English
- 中文
- tagalog

Japan’s Education System
School Subjects in Elementary-Junior High Schools (Compulsory Education)
Schools in Tokushima Prefecture
School Life

Japan’s Education System

In the Japanese educational system, the six years that make up elementary school and three years of junior high school are considered compulsory education. Generally, students enter elementary school at age 6 and junior high school at age 12.
Although it is not compulsory education, most students (97 percent) advance to high school.
After graduating high school, over half of students will advance to higher education, such as a two-year junior college or a four-year university.

School Subjects in Elementary-Junior High Schools (Compulsory Education)

1 Primary Subjects in Elementary School

Students will practice listening to, speaking, reading, and writing Japanese, as well as work on developing reading comprehension.

Penmanship — Students will practice writing characters and words carefully and neatly.

Social Studies (Years 3-6) — Students learn about Japanese and world history and geography, as well as about their local regions.

Arithmetic — Students study numbers and calculations, quantity and measurements, and shapes and quantitative relationships.

Science (Years 3-6) — Students learn about plants, animals, and celestial bodies by participating in various observations, experiments, and research.

Life Studies (Years 1-2 only. From year 3, Science and Social Studies are taken.) — Students learn about the relationship between themselves and people around them, society, and nature through concrete activities and experiences.

Music — Students sing songs, play instruments, and appreciate various pieces of music in order to cultivate a rich sensibility. The basics of music-making are also studied.

Arts & Crafts — Students will develop a rich aesthetic sensibility by participating in creative activities such as drawing, sculpting, designing, creating things using everyday objects, and viewing various artworks.

Home Economics (Years 5-6) — Students learn practical skills for daily life such as cooking and creating things using sewing tools or a sewing machine.

Physical Education — Students exercise on the playground and in the gymnasium, as well as swim in the pool during summertime. Students grades 3-6 will learn about topics such as health, physical development, and disease prevention.

Moral Education — Students learn to judge what is right and wrong, socially desirable ways of thinking, and public morals.

Foreign Language Activities — Through primarily listening practice, students will become familiarized with and gain a deeper understanding of foreign language and culture, as well as develop fundamental communication skills.

Integrated Studies — Through cross-synthetic, integrated, and inquiry studies, students will grow the qualities and abilities needed to find their own tasks, learn and think on their own, make their own decisions, and improve their problem-solving skills.

Special Activities — May include activities such as solving problems together as a class, planning and carrying out fun events, as well as learning about and discussing future path options and occupations.

2 中学校（主なもの）

Social Studies — Students study geography, history, and civics, and will further develop an interest in society from a wide perspective.

Mathematics — Students study numbers and calculations, quantity and measurements, and shapes and quantitative relationships.

Science — Students observe and perform experiments to learn about the natural world and phenomena, as well as study the scientific method and way of thinking. This course is divided into two parts, physics and science, and biology and earth science.

Art — Students will develop a rich aesthetic sensibility by participating in creative activities such as drawing, sculpting, designing, creating things using everyday objects, and viewing various artworks.

Health & Physical Education — Students exercise on the playground and in the gymnasium, as well as swim in the pool during summertime. Students will also learn about topics such as health, physical development, and disease prevention.

Technical Arts & Home Economics — Students learn practical skills for daily life such as cooking and creating things using sewing tools or a sewing machine.

Foreign Languages — Students practice foreign language in a balanced manner through speaking, listening, reading, and writing exercises, further cultivating their basic communication skills.

Schools in Tokushima Prefecture

1 Number, Type, and Classification of Schools in Tokushima Prefecture

A - Number of schools by type (as of 2021)

Table of number of schools by type (as of 2021)

B - Number of Tokushima Prefecture High School Students by Course of Study (as of 2021)

Pie chart of Number of Tokushima Prefecture High School Students by Course of Study (as of 2021)

C - Types of High Schools in Tokushima Prefecture

High schools in Tokushima Prefecture are divided into public and private schools. They are additionally divided into three types by class hours and other factors.

1. Differences Between Public and Private High Schools

Public High Schools
- Established by the prefecture or city
- There are one municipal and 34 prefectural high schools in the prefecture (excluding special needs schools)
- There are three school districts, which are determined based on where the student lives
- Students can apply for the part-time or correspondence courses as long as their workplace is in Tokushima Prefecture
Private High Schools
- Privately established
- Educational policies differ by school
- There are three private high schools in the prefecture

2. Differences Between Full-day, Part-time, and Correspondence Courses

There are three types of courses depending on the style of study.

Full-day Courses
- Students attend classes daily from around 8:40 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  Consists of three years of study before graduation. Full-day courses are available at 34 public high schools in the prefecture.
Part-time Courses
- Students attend classes during specific time periods, such as morning, afternoon, or evening. Evening classes are the most common.
- Some schools also allow students to take classes during hours other than their own course of study.
  Consists of four years of study before graduation. However, there is also a system that allows students to graduate using a combination of part-time and correspondence courses.
  Part-time courses are available at six public high schools in the prefecture.
Correspondence Courses
- Students earn credits mainly from home by using textbooks and workbooks, submitting reports, and passing examinations.
  Students in this course do not need to attend school every day, but they are required to go to school two to three times per month for face-to-face guidance (also called schooling).
  Students are able to come to school on weekdays to write reports or use the internet to study if they would like.
  Correspondence courses are available at one public high school in the prefecture.

*Because the selection process for high school enrollment is very complex, please communicate to your school and homeroom teacher your wishes regarding your education and career path as early as possible after entering junior high school.

School Life

1 School Events (example year schedule of a three-term elementary school)

Annual event schedule for School Events (example year schedule of a three-term elementary school)

2 School Term System

In Japan, elementary, junior high, and high schools generally employ a three-term system, although some schools use a two-term system instead.
Most schools in Tokushima Prefecture have three terms.

Annual schedule of three-term system and two-term system

3 Daily Schedule

Daily schedule of elementary school (upper grades)

4 A Day at an Elementary School

Illustration of a daily schedule for elementary school

5 The Role of Parents/Guardians

A - Relationship with the School

Communications Between the School and the Parent/Guardian

Parent/Guardian→School
- If your student will be absent, late, or leave early, the parent/guardian should call and inform the school in advance.
  In some elementary schools, the parent/guardian may inform the school by writing in the parent-teacher notebook (a notebook in which the student records necessary items or the schedule for the next day).
School→Parent/Guardian
- Paper copies of communications from the school such as announcements, requests, newsletters, notices, and grade reports will be distributed.
  In some cases, communications distributed by the school require a response.
- Schools may temporarily close when weather warnings are issued due to typhoons, heavy rain, etc. In this case, a parent-to-parent communication network has been prepared to share information in emergencies.
  Recently, some schools have been sharing information directly to parents/guardians’ cell phones via email.

PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) Activities

The PTA is an organization where parents and teachers work together to ensure that education proceeds as smoothly as possible. Mainly operating through elected officers, the PTA is involved in things such as traffic safety guidance, community activities, publicity activities, organizing workshops, and helping with school events.

Illustration of PTA activities.Officer’s Meetings, Traffic Safety Duty, Anti-crime Patrol, Recreational Activities, Jumble/Rummage Sales, Creating PR Brochures.

B - What the Parent/Guardian Should Prepare

Clothing Items

Clothing Items
Uniform, Indoor Shoes, Randsel Backpack, Bag	In many cases, schools will specify the standard uniform items students must have.
Gym Clothes, Reversible red and white cap (called akashirobou), Gym Shoes, Swimsuit & Swim Cap	In many cases, schools will specify the standard clothing items students must have.
Clothes for Lunch Prep: Apron, School Lunch Hat, School Lunch Bag	In many cases, the school will provide these items, but it is the student’s responsibility to wash them after their turn for lunch prep duty. Additionally, face masks must be prepared by each student individually.

Illustration of uniform, indoor shoes, and randsel backpack

Illustrations of gym clothes, reversible red and white cap, gym shoes, swimsuits and swim caps

School Supplies

School Supplies
Textbooks	These are provided at no cost for students of compulsory education.
Stationery and other class items (paints, calligraphy tools, sewing supplies, etc.)	Each student must prepare their own supplies individually.

Main School Expenses

School Lunch Fees
School lunch fees are collected monthly.
PTA Membership Fees
Parent-Teacher Associations are educational organizations made up of parents and teachers organized by each school. The PTA aims to improve the school lives of children. The PTA collects money necessary for its activities.
School Trip Fees
On the annual school trip, students are led by teachers on a multi-day excursion that involves group activities and overnight stays. Students participate in various observations and experiences to learn about the nature, culture, and other aspects of the destination. Students are responsible for their own travel expenses.
Field Trip/Excursion Fees
Field trips are day trips outside the school in order to learn that which cannot be studied in the classroom. Students are responsible for their own expenses.

Illustration of an field trip/excursion (factory tour)

6 For Questions or Concerns about School Enrollment:

Municipal Boards of Education in Tokushima Prefecture
Name	Address	Phone #
Tokushima City Board of Education	2-5 Saiwai-cho, Tokushima-shi, Tokushima 770-8571	088-621-5405
Naruto City Board of Education	31-36 Muya-cho, Minamihama Higashihama, Naruto-shi, Tokushima 772-0003	088-686-8801
Komatsushima City Board of Education	2-14 Yokosu-cho, Komatsushima-shi, Tokushima 773-0006	0885-32-3811
Anan City Board of Education	12-3 Tomioka-cho Tonomachi, Anan-shi, Tokushima 774-8501	0884-22-3299
Yoshinogawa City Board of Education	115-1 Kamojima, Kamojima-cho, Yoshinogawa-shi, Tokushima 776-8611	0883-22-2270
Awa City Board of Education	201-1 Aza-Furuta, Kirihata, Ichiba-cho, Awa-shi, Tokushima 771-1695	0883-36-8741
Mima City Board of Education	5 Anabuki-cho Anabukikutanchi, Mima-shi, Tokushima 777-8577	0883-52-8010
Miyoshi City Board of Education	1737-1 Sarada, Ikeda-cho, Miyoshi-shi, Tokushima 778-0003	0883-72-3555
Katsuura Town Board of Education	2-1 Kubota Hisakuni, Katsuura-cho, Katsuura-gun, Tokushima 771-4395	0885-42-2515
Kamikatsu Town Board of Education	110-1 Hirama Masaki, Kamikatsu-cho, Katsuura-gun, Tokushima 771-4505	0885-45-0111
Sanagochi Village Board of Education	71-1 Shimonakahen, Sanagochi-son, Myodo-gun, Tokushima 771-4195	088-679-2817
Ishii Town Board of Education	121-1 Takagawara, Takagawara, Ishii-cho, Myozai-gun, Tokushima 779-3295	088-674-7505
Kamiyama Town Board of Education	100 Jinryo-ji Honnoma, Kamiyama-cho, Myozai-gun, Tokushima 771-3395	088-676-1522
Naka Town Board of Education	104-1 Minamigawa, Wajikigo, Naka-cho, Naka-gun, Tokushima 771-5295	0884-62-1106
Mugi Town Board of Education	82 Shinkoji Kawatake, Mugi-cho, Kaifu-gun, Tokushima 775-0004	0884-72-0107
Minami Town Board of Education	153-1 Teramae, Okugawauchi, Minami-cho, Kaifu-gun, Tokushima 779-2305	0884-77-3620
Kaiyo Town Board of Education	73 Shihohara Sugitani, Kaiyo-cho, Kaifu-gun, Tokushima 775-0202	0884-73-1246
Matsushige Town Board of Education	30 Aza-Higashiura, Hiroshima, Matsushige-cho, Itano-gun, Tokushima 771-0295	088-699-8719
Kitajima Town Board of Education	23-1 Kamiji, Nakamura, Kitajima-cho, Itano-gun, Tokushima 771-0285	088-698-9812
Aizumi Town Board of Education	52-1 Yakamimae, Okuno, Aizumi-cho, Itano-gun, Tokushima 771-1292	088-637-3128
Itano Town Board of Education	190 Aza-Kameyamanishi, Otera, Itano-cho, Itano-gun, Tokushima 779-0105	088-672-0136
Kamiita Town Board of Education	42 Aza-Kyozuka, Shichijo, Kamiita-cho, Itano-gun, Tokushima 771-1392	088-694-6814
Tsurugi Town Board of Education	61 Sadamitsu Miyashita, Tsurugi-cho, Mima-gun, Tokushima 779-4101	0883-62-2331
Higashimiyoshi Town Board of Education	3697-1 Hiruma, Higashimiyoshi-cho, Miyoshi-gun, Tokushima 771-2501	0883-79-3630

Tokushima Prefectural Board of Education, Department of Compulsory Education
For inquiries regarding public schooling
1-1 Bandai-cho, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, 770-8570
☎088-621-3201
Tokushima Prefectural International Exchange Association (TOPIA)
Japanese classes, consultation for foreign residents, etc.
Clement Plaza 6F, 1-61 Terashima Honcho Nishi, Tokushima City
☎088-656-3303

7 Main Lifelong Learning Facilities

Tokushima Bunkanomori Park
Prefectural Library, Prefectural Museum, Modern Art Museum, and more
1 Mukoterayama, Hachiman-cho, Tokushima-shi, Tokushima
☎088-668-3500
Tokushima Prefectural General Education Center (Manabii Center)
Education consultation, audiovisual library, lending books to read aloud, and more
1-7 Higashidani Inubushi, Itano-cho, Tokushima
☎088-672-5000
Asutamu Land Tokushima
Children’s science center, planetarium, and more
45-25 Kibigadani, Nato, Itano-cho, Tokushima
☎088-672-7111