Basic Knowledge about Schools in Japan
- 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)
Primary Subjects in Elementary School
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- Students will practice listening to, speaking, reading, and writing Japanese, as well as work on developing reading comprehension.
- Students will practice writing characters and words carefully and neatly.
- Students learn about Japanese and world history and geography, as well as about their local regions.
- Students study numbers and calculations, quantity and measurements, and shapes and quantitative relationships.
- Students learn about plants, animals, and celestial bodies by participating in various observations, experiments, and research.
- Students learn about the relationship between themselves and people around them, society, and nature through concrete activities and experiences.
- 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.
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- 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.
- Students learn practical skills for daily life such as cooking and creating things using sewing tools or a sewing machine.
- 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.
- Students learn to judge what is right and wrong, socially desirable ways of thinking, and public morals.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Primary Subjects in Junior High School
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- Students will practice listening to, speaking, reading, and writing Japanese, as well as further developing their reading comprehension.
- Students will practice writing characters and words carefully and neatly.
- Students study geography, history, and civics, and will further develop an interest in society from a wide perspective.
- Students study numbers and calculations, quantity and measurements, and shapes and quantitative relationships.
- 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.
- Students sing songs, play instruments, and appreciate various pieces of music to cultivate a rich sensibility. The basics of music-making are also studied.
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- 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.
- 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.
- Students learn practical skills for daily life such as cooking and creating things using sewing tools or a sewing machine.
- Students practice foreign language in a balanced manner through speaking, listening, reading, and writing exercises, further cultivating their basic communication skills.
- Students learn to judge what is right and wrong, socially desirable ways of thinking, and public morals.
- 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.
- Students do things such as solve problems together as a class, plan and carry out fun events, and discuss future path options and occupations.
Schools in Tokushima Prefecture
Number, Type, and Classification of Schools in Tokushima Prefecture
A - Number of schools by type (as of 2021)
B - 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 |
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| Private High Schools |
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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. |
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| Part-time Courses | Students attend classes during specific time periods, such as morning, afternoon, or evening. Evening classes are the most common. |
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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. |
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| 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
School Events (example year schedule of a three-term elementary school)
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.
Daily Schedule
A Day at an Elementary School
The Role of Parents/Guardians
A - Relationship with the School
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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). |
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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. |
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| 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. |
B - What the Parent/Guardian Should Prepare
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Uniform Indoor Shoes Randsel Backpack Bag |
In many cases, schools will specify the standard uniform items students must have. |  |
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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. |  |
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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. |  |
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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. |
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School Lunch Fees School lunch fees are collected monthly. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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For Questions or Concerns about School Enrollment:
Municipal Boards of Education in Tokushima Prefecture
| Name | Address | Phone # |
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| 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 |
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- 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
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- 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
Main Lifelong Learning Facilities
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- Tokushima Bunkanomori Park
Prefectural Library, Prefectural Museum, Modern Art Museum, and more
1 Mukoterayama, Hachiman-cho, Tokushima-shi, Tokushima
☎088-668-3500
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- 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
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- Asutamu Land Tokushima
Children’s science center, planetarium, and more
45-25 Kibigadani, Nato, Itano-cho, Tokushima
☎088-672-7111