My life in Japan: “My 9-year-old son’s summer vacation is messed up.”

Summary

A parent expresses deep concern about the pressures of Japan's education system, particularly on their 9-year-old son. Despite his desire for a normal childhood, the child is enrolled in a prep school to prepare for private junior high exams, leading to daily stress and a lack of summer vacation fun. The father grapples with the contradiction between fostering academic success and allowing his child the freedom to enjoy life. He also questions whether the intense focus on education will lead to happiness or merely perpetuate societal pressures in an uncertain future.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker’s 9-year-old son is in 4th grade and has started attending a prep school to prepare for entrance exams for private junior high schools in Japan.
• 📚 The son studies at the prep school 4 days a week during summer vacation, in addition to spending time on homework for the remaining 3 days, which causes frustration and a lack of enjoyment during his break.
• 🎮 Despite the strict schedule, the son wants to enjoy typical childhood activities, such as playing video games and watching YouTube, but has to balance these desires with the pressure to study.
• 🚂 One of the key reasons the son wants to attend a private junior high is the opportunity to join clubs related to his love for trains, which he finds unique to these schools.
• ⚖️ The speaker feels conflicted because the son wants to pursue his interests but must also deal with the high expectations and pressure to succeed academically, creating a sense of contradiction in their education system.
• 👧 The speaker has a younger daughter, aged 5, who has more freedom and enjoys her time without the academic pressure, causing tension between her and her older brother.
• 🌞 The speaker believes summer vacation should be more enjoyable for children, filled with positive memories, but his son’s summer was primarily consumed by studying and fulfilling academic obligations.
• 🎓 The speaker is concerned about the long-term impact of their son’s intense academic focus, as the Japanese educational system is highly competitive, and success in exams does not guarantee happiness or job security in the future.
• 🤖 The speaker also worries about the role of AI and technology in reducing job opportunities, especially for white-collar workers, and how this might affect their son’s future in an increasingly competitive society.
• 📉 The speaker expresses concern about Japan’s aging population, declining birth rate, and its economic implications, which adds to the anxiety about their son’s future and the value of traditional education pathways.
• 🤔 The speaker is unsure if the current educational pressures are beneficial, as they question whether traditional advice about studying hard to ensure a good future still holds true in the current era of rapid technological change and social challenges.

Q & A

Why does the speaker feel conflicted about their son's education?

The speaker feels conflicted because their son has chosen to study at a prep school, which leads to intense academic pressure, especially during summer vacation. The speaker is concerned about balancing academic success with allowing their son to enjoy his childhood.

What is the significance of private junior high schools in Japan, according to the speaker?

In Japan, private junior high schools require students to pass an entrance exam. These schools offer unique extracurricular activities, like train-related clubs, which are a major attraction for the speaker's son. However, the intense academic competition for spots in these schools creates a lot of pressure on students.

How does the speaker’s son feel about his academic responsibilities?

The speaker's son expresses frustration with his heavy academic workload, especially during the summer vacation. While he understands the need to study, he also wants to enjoy leisure activities like video games and watching YouTube, which causes internal conflict.

How does the speaker view the role of summer vacation for children?

The speaker believes that summer vacation should be a time for children to have fun and create good memories, rather than focusing on intense academic work. The speaker feels that their son has missed out on this experience due to the pressure of prep school and homework.

What role does the speaker’s wife play in their son’s education?

The speaker’s wife is primarily responsible for overseeing their son’s studies. She handles his daily homework and tries to manage his frustrations when he becomes overwhelmed, while the speaker focuses on work outside the home.

What does the speaker think about Japan’s aging population and its effect on the future?

The speaker is concerned about Japan’s declining population and aging society. They see it as a critical issue that will affect future generations, especially in terms of economic challenges and the sustainability of systems like pensions.

How does the speaker feel about the future of their son's education and career prospects?

The speaker is uncertain about their son's future despite the current emphasis on education. They worry that even with hard work, the future might still be uncertain, especially given the competitive nature of Japan's job market and the societal changes brought on by technology and an aging population.

What is the speaker's emotional state regarding their son’s education and the pressures of modern life?

The speaker feels overwhelmed and uncertain, questioning whether the traditional focus on education and academic success is the right path for their son. They also feel that they cannot predict a secure future for him, leading to frustration and a sense of helplessness.

How does the speaker's son’s interest in trains influence his decision to attend a private junior high?

The speaker’s son loves trains, and one of the attractions of private junior high schools is the opportunity to join train-related clubs. This passion for trains played a role in his desire to attend a private school, despite the academic challenges that come with it.

What societal issue is the speaker particularly concerned about in relation to their son's future?

The speaker is concerned about Japan’s declining population and the challenges it poses for the future, including economic instability and the competitiveness of the job market. They fear that the traditional education system may not adequately prepare their son for these future uncertainties.