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After working in the Japanese school system for two years I have to agree with your friend on some parts. Schools in Japan are tough. It all comes down to entrance exams. Even my English classes with a Japanese Teacher of English had the class formated to where the upper level student were only studying what would be on their exams. And I am not even talking about the Academic schools that have the best ratings in the prefecture.

School isnt just only thing that causes kids to crack. There is also the societal rules that pretty much govern all of Japan. There is protocol for everything and the books in the bookstores to prove it. Seating order, how to adress cards according to the time of year...>>Suicide falls into the societal pressures to in Japan (Tons of suicide circles/packets going on).

The word for bullying is iijime. As far as an offical bully~ c'mon. Yes, Japan is known for its non-confrontation stance but the kids do not stand their while being picked or slapped. They get angry too and react to the threat. Granted both parties will get chewed out by the vice-principal or principal but the Japanese arent that stupid to let elect a class bully. That causes chaos and the Japanese are extremely against situations that cause others to lose face or cause pain (in most day to day situations)!

2 years, 9 schools, 1 town>>> Japan

Thats to finish Highschool, I believe. Overall I think there is over 6000-8000 kanji, but Im not sure. Id have to say its more strict there then here, obviously. With good reason, the japanese writing system is much more advanced than most other languages. Also, the way they learn is completely different. I believe I read once that they never really learn in school, only memorize. I dont know if this is completely true, but I know it is for writing. Ever since they were little they were copying out kana and kanji to perfection.

As for the bully thing, I doubt it. Its harsher, but not that harsh...

I will add, though, that in Korea I have heard teachers carry fiberglass 'Punishers', sticks to hit students who were misbehaving. That would be somewhat similar I guess... confused I dont know if its true, but I heard it.

Sliver nailed it. All. Juku is no joke either. My students wouldnt get home till 9pm at night sometimes. There is school, after school sports and juku. Not to mention the train ride home if you live in the country! I really felt for them.

Mai also hit the nail right on the head. Students learn by memorization. I can understand that as kanji stroke order has to be precise. However, when it came to learning English the teachers were teaching it in the way of memorization. I am sorry but that method doesnt really work when learning English.

(Skip this if you only wanted to read main points!!!) My middle school kids had such a hard time understand phonetics because the sounds changed. The letter A has two sounds but in the Japanese teaching method the students only grip one and that is "ah" becaue its similar to what they use in their everyday language. While working with Japanese teachers of English I found that some teachers wanted me to change my pronunciation of words so things would be easier for the students to understand and not get confused with. My English is dialect free. Its neutral with out southern or northern influence. The problem teachers saw was how we flop on some of the pronunciations. Example: resume, lead, read and soe other words. We go by context to know how words are going to be pronounced. As for me some teachers really hated when I would change the word THE. You know you at times say "THEE" or "THAH" in pronunciation. You dont say THEE apple. You say "THAH" apple, right? Its the little nuiances that teachers I worked with tried to change but wouldnt accept as part of regular spoken English language. (One teacher from Ireland was told by her teachers that she could not speak English with an Irish accent. She was told to speak American style English. It was that or she would be fired! Quite harsh to make things easier for students when in fact having an Irish teacher would help diversifiy their cultural outlook and help them learn that English isnt the same all around the world!)

Read here to make it a short comment!vv

ANYWAY, to get back on point...though the Japanese are superior in their studies their schooling system is much different. Discipline is different, even grouping is different (boys are always with boys and the same with girls. Blended groups were rare in my classes. When it comes down to English they try to apply the same principles and it doesnt work.

8was told that schooling is based on an old military system hence the guy's uniforms and etc. I can kinda see that but would need a lot more proof to take it as hard core truth.

~thanks for reading my comments.

Ya I was wondering that too, because I know most kana, I know a decent bit of the language and i think a few kanji, but other than that, thats it. I mean, if I did go there for an exchange program you can bet I would work my a** off learning the stuff, but it would still be a bit concerning whee

Indeed it is tough. But having friends at school gets you through the day.

You can still apply to any program to go attend school in Japan. Just look at the requirements. I found that many foreign students that attended Japanese schools had their own special classes or time where they were taught Japanese but it all depends on the school, the system and if anyone has the skill of English needed to teach a foreigner Japanese. 3nodding

I cant remember if the kiddies start kindergarten at age 4 I believe. Its not too far off from the west.

Kiddies at the Hoikuen/Yochien I'd go to were separated into the age groups 2, 3 & 4 though.

I wish I could show you my pictures of when I went there. THEY ARE SOOO PRECIOUS!