Contrasting attitudes to education in England and Japan

Summary In Japan, 95 per cent of young people stay in full‐time education until the age of 18, compared with 32 per cent of 16‐18‐year‐olds in England. Also Japanese students consistently out‐perform students from other nations in international tests of achievement. It was hypothesized that the replication in Japan of an open‐ended survey previously conducted in England would reveal differences in attitudes to education on the part of the relevant samples as well as differing cultural characteristics. It was found that many Japanese 14‐year‐olds attach supreme importance to studying, passing examinations and entering high school, whereas many English 15‐year‐olds were more concerned with getting a job. It was also found that the Japanese emphasized ideals such as kindness and consideration for others, whereas the English stressed characteristics like individuality and love for parents. It was concluded that the academic achievement of young people in Japan springs out of a widespread respect for learning coupled with a belief that success or failure depends on individual effort rather than one's place in society.