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Hannah Rowntree
Gunther
English 1010-1st Period
17 January 2015
Japan vs. America: Or Why Japan is Ten Times Better
Staring intently at a womans photo, David Fenton, the lead singer of The Vapors,
pours out his soul to conclude that he is indeed turning Japanese. The photo was the
center of his focus. The photo was the center of everything. He could not turn away.
Determination and dedication defines the way Japanese education works and how
America education should strive to become. We should all turn Japanese, because in the
words of David Fenton, I think Im turning Japanese, I really think so (The Vapors
1980). The common Asian stereotype, especially found in East Asian countries,
assumes that Asians are smarter than the rest of the human population. According to
Hyunjoon Park, theres the assumption that in the States, education nurtures students
creativity, while in Japan, education suffocates the students. Most Americans believe
this assumption because Asian stereotypes are prominent in this country. The problem
isnt that Japanese educators suffocate their students; its actually that Japanese students
cultural background differentiates them from us. They are diligently seeking intelligence
and efficiency because of parents who live by tireless work-ethics; less chit-chat more
work principles, and punctuality. (The Mantis Shrimp). Its only natural to strive to
achieve the same status goals. But what is so different about our education systems
between America and Japan that create the assumption that Asians are smarter? Easy,
Japans way of educating students is ten times better than the way Americans teach.

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While I concede that American education nurtures students creativity, I maintain that
Japanese education system methods result in agile minded successful students.
Japan built their education system on the foundation of competitive and rigorous
high school testing after World War II, resulting in successful methods (Berlatsky).
Since then, Japan thrives in technology, businesses, and schooling. Schooling in Japan
succeeds Americas by a long shot because of the variety of methods developed over the
years. The Japanese use a method called Shadow Education in their scholarly lives.
Shadow Education is a set of educational activities that occur outside of formal schooling
(Akiba). Shadow education mimics the regular system, and students receive
supplementary private tutoring after school hours (Bray). In my opinion, I think
extracurricular activities found in America can be related similarly to shadow education
in Japan. While American student's are participating in their sport's activities, Japanese
students are cleaning out classrooms, tutoring, and participating in sports. Although,
Japanese students take part in shadow education as well as extracurricular activities, they
manage to go the extra mile in everything they do. Not all Americans ignore the
opportunities to go the extra mile in day to day life, but some people dont grasp the
chances they have in this advanced country. Park's studies of,The Differences of Korean
and Japanese Education, reveal that the United States show the highest level of index,
while Japan shows the second lowest (Hyuujoon Park). This study compared Japanese
and American students in their economic stance contributing to their education levels. If
there are students with unfortunate circumstances at home that limit their educational
needs, yet still surpass the common American with quality education, what are we doing
wrong in this country? Naturally, any human being should have the desire to gain all the

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knowledge they can, and although Park states, that Japan is being criticized for the lack
of nurturing students critical thinking and creativity. I maintain that Japans high
standardization, centralization, and narrow focus on academic achievement creates
stability in students. I maintain my opinion on Japanese education resulting in agile
students based on the certain methods they use to educate their students.
In discussions of quality education, one controversial issue debated on is extreme
discipline in Japan. On the one hand Park argues over the statement that, Japanese
students lack individuality and diversity. The Mantis Shrimp contends In Japan youre
always expected to work hard, try your best, and keep trying until you succeed. My view
is Japanese students most likely agree that their compulsory education is difficult. Its not
easy having entrance exams determine your future in what college you go to, or what
high school one can get into. But since Japanese schools are so competitive, students
work harder. Though Berlatsky's studies on the Cutthroat education system of Japan
shows that lots of Japanese students dont raise their hands and ask questions resulting in
less interactive time with the teacher, they still succeed. In America chemistry between
students and teachers are important so each person can respect one another. I think each
country can take different methods from each other and apply it in their own academic
learning. It doesnt hurt to try new things and see how they turn out. Basically, Park and
Shrimp are saying Japanese students are perceived as too hard of workers. I agree that
students in Japan are perceived as not creative, a point that needs emphasizing since so
many believe that in Japan students are forced to study and do absolutely nothing else but
study.

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Although it is true that rigorous discipline excels students learning, globalization,
the process of interaction and integration among the people (gloalization101.org), is also
an important aspect to foreign educators, whether if its in Japan or in America. The goal
for education is forward motion in an unabashedly economic context. Japanese
experiences seem to echo the dream of education reformers in the United States
(Berlatsky). Japan has no choice but to accept globalization and is forced to modify its
economic and social structure (Butler). Basically, these authors are implying that
globalization can be the key to success in education all around the world. Its important
to learn from each country because having the ability to understand each other can lead to
bigger and better things. Since countries see education as competition, globalization can
cease the competitive assumptions that lead to stereotypes. One method Japan uses is the
allocation process. The Allocation process varies across educational systems in terms of
criteria. (Baker) Abbeduto states, That unlike the educational system in the US, in
which each state determines its own curriculum, Japans education systems varies. In
America, States have the power to choose what we learn and when we learn. In Utah
particularly, the Common Core is constantly being changed as well as other states
because theyre trying to have one common core as a nation. I agree that the States
unstable curriculum should be changed because my experience with a teacher as a mother
confirms it. I've grown up with my mother always complaining about how Utah's
education system works: How low teachers are paid, and respected. By contrast Japan
has already been there, done that. Japan continues to surpass us. Even though Japans
economy is greatly influencing schools recently, theyre still more stable in making sure
every student is being taught the same thing. We find that shadow education is prevalent

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worldwide (Baker). Also there is an ongoing debate among educators concerning the
extent to which American educators can learn from East Asian school systems (Jeynes).
Most scholars would say no, its impossible for globalization to have positive effects to
benefit all students in every nation, but I maintain that learning from Japan will benefit
our country.
Similarly, another academic method the Japanese use is through their government,
which leads to more reasons why Japan rules and America doesnt in terms of education.
Butler's research digs into the method from the government in Japan called the action
plan. The action plan gives greater autonomy to teachers and local government and thus
may improve English education by enabling them to become more active participants.
(Butler). English is an important aspect to learn in order for the students to diversify
themselves. In Japan, part of entrance exams to colleges, for specific majors, students
have to take an English test. It can be compared to the ACTs/SATs here in America,
which means these English tests are a big deal to high school students. Japanese
schools incorporate a national curriculum. (Abbeduto). Parker's study compares
Japanese education to America's by showing the similarities. He states,
Institutional factors for education, including limited access to drives the use of
shadow education. Learning from East Asian education systems is facilitated
because in a number of respects they were strongly modeled after the western
educational rubric (Parker).
Its not like taking Japanese methods into consideration will dramatically change the way
we think, act, and learn. This quote is simply saying Japan is doing what were doing,
but theyre doing it better. Theyre doing it better and have better results, better students,

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and better success rates. If we take in the factor of compliance when asked to do
something, along with hard work, we could succeed even more. If Parker is right that
following Japans academic examples will benefit us, as I think he is, then we need to
reassess the popular assumption that Japans way of educating is completely different
from ours. Japan bases their way of teaching on western countries. Why cant we base
our ways of teaching on East Asian countries? If Japan can model their rubrics off of
other countries around the world, America should consider other countries ways as well.
While I concede that stereotypes create the assumptions that countries are too culturally
diverse to learn from each other or to adopt other methods, I maintain that adopting the
strict discipline stereotype of Japan that the world sees will benefit students.
There are plenty of disadvantages in both countries. Comparing each country will
make it easier to understand each other. Japanese education requires enormous discipline
and study. In Baker's study about Japan's government involvement with education, he
states,
Test oriented education does not actually promote global competitiveness.
Japanese do not have sufficient skills in English. The action plan reflected
conflicting ideological orientations (Baker).
This is a prime example of why globalization is important. It can really work with
efficiency on both sides. American schools do well with foreign language classes, but in
Japan the most you can find is just English. With English teachers in Japan, they come
from all over. Foreigners are called Gaijin, and most foreigners who stay in Japan to
make a lifestyle are Canadian, Australian, British, or American, which results in different
kinds of English? Most English speakers dont actually teach much especially if theyre

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in a public school. Japan provides schools with English text books that arent correct
English and the English teachers cant say anything against the regular teacher. Not
calling out the teacher is out of respect. Students who participate in certain forms of
shadow education are more likely to attend university (Parker). Which results in
students, who dont participate in shadow education, dont have access to those benefits.
Students in Japan spend 240 days a year in school, 60 days more than American counter
parts. (Abbeduto). There is a considerable cross-national variation of shadow education
use. (Baker) Some social sociologists argue that cultural differences makes globalization
impossible, but disadvantages can be found in all countries when it comes to educating
students. Even with the flaws in the Japanese education system, theyre still more
successful. Life would be easier if we take Japans methods into consideration since the
States are attempting to come up with one common core anyways.
"Turning Japanese is all the clichs about angst and youth and turning into
something you didn't expect to. (David Fenton). Turning Japanese academically should
be all the clichs of succeeding and determination and turning into something you didnt
expect to. (Fenton) Though Americans tend to have the mindset that anything having to
do with America automatically makes it the best, by learning and understanding Japans
techniques Americans can become even more successful. We as a country need to do
what Japan does to further our intellectual learning.

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Work Cited
Abbeduto, Leonard. Taking Sides. McGraw-Hill 2006.
Baker, P. David. Worldwide Shadow Education: Outside-School Learning, Institutional
Quality of Schooling, and Cross-National Mathematics Achievement. 2014. Print.
Berlatskynov, Noah. Japan's Cutthroat School System: A Cautionary Tale for the U.S.
2013. Print.
Butler, Yuko Goto, and Masakazu Iino. "Current Japanese Reforms In English Language
Education: The 2003 ?Action Plan?" Language Policy 4.1 (2005): 25-45.
Web.
Jeynes, W. "What We Should and Should Not Learn From the Japanese and Other East
Asian Education Systems." Educational Policy 22.6 (2007): 900-27. Web.
Park, Hyunjoon. Re-evaluating Education in Japan and Korea: Demystifying
Stereotypes.

N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

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