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1185
Early 9th Century
Chinese teachings and ideas flowed into Japan from the sixth to the ninth century. -
Tokugawa period
more than 200 of the 276 han had established schools. Some samurai and even commoners also attended private academies, which often specialized in particular Japanese subjects or in Western medicine, modern military science, gunnery. -
Westernized Text books
After 1870 school textbooks based on Confucian ethics were replaced by westernized texts, but by the 1890s, after earlier intensive preoccupation with the Western texts, particularly American educational ideas, a different system would soon be imposed. -
First Japanese Women to Graduate
Chika Kuroda was the first female bachelor of science, graduating in 1916 from Tohoku Imperial University. -
Schooling system
The Japanese educational system was reformed after World War II. The old 6-5-3-3 system was changed to a 6-3-3-4 system with reference to the American system. -
Ministry of Education
The postwar Ministry of Education regained a great deal of power. School boards were appointed, and not elected. A course in moral education was reinstituted in modified form. -
1960s
Postwar recovery and economic growth brought new demands for higher education. But as the expectations grew, so did the cost. The 1960s was a time of great turbulence in higher education. -
University Control Law
New laws governed the founding of new universities and teachers' compensation, and public school curricula were revised. Private education institutions began to receive public aid, and a nationwide standardized university entrance examination was added for the national universities. -
Same policies
Despite the numerous educational changes that have occurred in Japan since 1868, and especially since 1945, the education system still reflects long-standing cultural and philosophical ideas. -
Successes
Japan has one of the world's best-educated populations, with 100% enrollment in compulsory grades and zero illiteracy. While not compulsory, high school enrollment is over 96% nationwide and nearly 100% in the cities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A09HhxXht4
