The Dark Side Japan Schools

Summary

The Japanese education system, known for its high standards, faces criticism for its strict rules. These include regulations on students' hair, addressing period poverty, and prohibiting certain hairstyles like ponytails to avoid distraction. Japanese schools also enforce dress codes, including underwear color, and have strict rules against bullying, with over 682,000 cases reported in 2022. Unique practices like student-led cleaning, no dating, punctuality, and respect through greetings are ingrained. Despite strictness, some rules have been relaxed, reflecting a balance between discipline and personal freedom.

Takeaways

• 💇‍♂️ Japanese schools have strict regulations on students' hair, including length, style, and color, with some students facing discrimination for their natural hair.
• 🩸 Some Japanese schools address period poverty by providing free sanitary products to female students, with government support to end this issue.
• 🚫 A ban on ponytails for female students exists due to concerns it could 'sexually excite males', which has sparked outrage among parents and teachers.
• 🩲 Female students in some schools are required to wear white underwear, which can be checked by school officials, raising privacy concerns.
• 👨‍👨‍👦‍👦 School bullying is a significant issue in Japan, with reported cases potentially contributing to youth suicides, despite strict school rules.
• 🧹 Japanese students are expected to clean their classrooms as part of their education, fostering a sense of responsibility and collective harmony.
• 🚫 Some schools prohibit student dating to prevent distractions from studies, with severe consequences for those who violate this rule.
• ⏰ Punctuality is highly valued in Japan, and students are expected to be in their classes before they start to show respect and prevent disruption.
• 🙇‍♂️ Bowing is compulsory in Japan, and students are taught to greet elders respectfully, emphasizing social hierarchy.
• 📱 Mobile devices are banned in Japanese schools, but the rules have been revised to allow them in case of emergencies.
• 👕 Japanese schools enforce strict dress codes, including specific requirements for socks, shoes, and prohibitions on tights for female students.
• 🏊‍♂️ Swimming is part of the curriculum in many Japanese schools, often with their own pools, due to historical drowning incidents.
• 🏅 Participation in sports or cultural clubs, known as bukatsu, is an essential part of Japanese students' education, fostering social skills and relationships.
• 🚫 Makeup is not allowed in Japanese schools, leading to the trend of 'Gago makeup', which is hard to detect.
• 🍱 Japanese school lunches are planned by nutritionists and are made fresh on-site, with parents paying a small fee for the nutritional value.
• 🏫 Japanese students automatically advance to the next grade regardless of their performance, but societal pressure keeps most students working hard.
• 📅 The Japanese school year starts in April and ends in March, divided into three terms instead of the typical two semesters.

Q & A

What is one of the most extreme school rules regarding hair in Japanese schools?

Japanese schools often have strict rules regarding hair, including regulations on hair length, style, and color. For example, male students are required to keep their hair short around the ears and neckline, and fringes must not touch the eyebrows. Students with naturally curly or brown hair may be forced to straighten or dye their hair to comply with school regulations.

How has Tokyo responded to the strict hairstyle regulations in its schools?

Tokyo public schools have relaxed their strict hairstyle rules, dropping the prohibition on specific hairstyles and adopting a more flexible approach. However, these changes are not uniform across other cities in Japan.

How are Japanese schools addressing period poverty?

Some Japanese schools are now providing free sanitary pads or tampons to female students, making them easily accessible in school bathrooms. The government has also allocated funds to municipalities to support this initiative, with the Miyazaki prefectural board of education leading by example.

Why are ponytails banned in some Japanese schools for female students?

Ponytails are banned in some Japanese schools because they are thought to potentially sexually excite male students by exposing the nape of the neck, which could distract boys from their studies.

What is a controversial rule regarding female students' underwear in Japanese schools?

In some Japanese schools, female students are required to wear only white underwear to prevent distractions and maintain modesty. This rule has been criticized for invading students' privacy, as some schools conduct checks to ensure compliance.

What are the main forms of bullying in Japanese schools?

The main types of bullying in Japanese schools include teasing, threatening, insults, physical violence, exclusion from groups, and being ignored. Bullying is a significant issue, with over 682,000 reported cases in 2022, and has been linked to youth suicide.

What is 'cleaning time' in Japanese schools and why is it important?

'Cleaning time' (or 'soji') is a daily activity in Japanese schools where students clean their classrooms and other areas of the school. This practice teaches students responsibility, teamwork, and respect for their environment.

Are students in Japanese schools allowed to date?

In some Japanese schools, dating is prohibited because it is seen as a distraction from studies. For example, Hoshi Gakuen High School explicitly bans special relationships between boys and girls, and students have faced severe consequences for violating this rule.

How are punctuality and time management viewed in Japanese schools?

Punctuality is highly valued in Japanese schools. Students are expected to arrive at their desks at least five minutes before class begins. Being late is seen as disrespectful and disruptive to the group’s activities.

What is the policy on mobile phone usage in Japanese schools?

In elementary and junior high schools, mobile phones are generally banned, while high schools have the autonomy to set their own rules. Some schools allow phones for emergencies, given Japan's history of natural disasters, but usage is often limited during class.