Challenges to Japanese Education: Economics, Reform, and Human Rights (International Perspectives on Educational Reform Series)

In this volume, eight leading Japanese scholars present their research on profound and sensitive issues facing Japanese society, much of which has not been available to the English-speaking world. Traveling from Japan to engage in a unique forum at University of California, they joined eminent Professors Befu, DeVos, and Rohlen to bring over 50 leading scholars up to date on the global challenges facing Japan and how education has and will play into the reformulation of its identity. Chapters examine such topics as education policy changes, the education of minorities, including the Burakumin, the hegemony of college entrance examinations, social mobility and basic human rights, increased economic competition and global migration, political influences on educational reform, and the future of Japanese education.June A. Gordon is a Professor at the University of California at Santa Cruz. Hidenori Fujita is a Professor at International Christian University (ICU). Takehiko Kariya is a Professor at University of Oxford. Gerald LeTendre is a Professor at the Pennsylvania State University.Additional Contributors: Harumi Befu, George A. DeVos, Haruhiko Kanegae, Taeyoung Kim, Yoshiro Nabeshima, Naomi Noiri, Akira Sakai, and Mamoru Tsukada.“An acutely perceptive set of essays providing fresh insights into many of the most misunderstood facets of Japanese education today. Much overdue, it sets the stage for new ways of seeing Japanese education in the comparative light of globalization.”—Thomas P. Rohlen, Professor Emeritus, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies'Finally, a volume that conveys the perspectives of top Japanese scholars and activists on the complexities of schooling in Japan! This engaging volume is an excellent resource for all those interested in the pedagogical discourses, political forces, and economic dynamics driving Japan's recent attempts at education reform.'—Susan D. Holloway, University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Education In this volume, eight leading Japanese scholars present their research on profound and sensitive issues facing Japanese society, much of which has not been available to the English-speaking world. Traveling from Japan to engage in a unique forum at University of California, they joined eminent Professors Befu, DeVos, and Rohlen to bring over 50 leading scholars up to date on the global challenges facing Japan and how education has and will play into the reformulation of its identity. Chapters examine such topics as education policy changes, the education of minorities, including the Burakumin, the hegemony of college entrance examinations, social mobility and basic human rights, increased economic competition and global migration, political influences on educational reform, and the future of Japanese education. An acutely perceptive set of essays providing fresh insights into many of the most misunderstood facets of Japanese education today. Thomas P. Rohlen , Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies "Finally, a volume that conveys the perspectives of top Japanese scholars and activists on the complexities of schooling in Japan! This engaging volume is an excellent resource for all those interested in the pedagogical discourses, political forces, and economic dynamics driving Japan's recent attempts at education reform." Susan D. Holloway , University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Education Contents Introduction • June A. Gordon and Gerald LeTendre Views from the Japanese Side: Challenges to Japanese Education • Takehiko Kariya Part I: Policy, Finance, and National Reform 1 Whither Japanese Schooling? Educational Reforms and Their Impact on Ability Formation and Educational Opportunity • Hidenori Fujita 2 The End of Egalitarian Education in Japan? The Effects of Policy Changes in Resource Distribution on Compulsory Education • Takehiko Kariya 3 Educational Stratification: Teacher Perspectives on School Culture and the College Entrance Examination • Mamoru Tsukada 4 Educational Selection, Career Decisions, and School Support: The Case of an Urban Commercial High School • Akira Sakai Part II: Educational Inequalities and Marginalized Groups 5 Invisible Racism in Japan: Impact on Academic Achievement of Minority Children • Yoshiro Nabeshima 6 Schooling of Buraku Women: Life Histories in Eastern Japan • Haruhiko Kanegae 7 The Education of Zainichi Koreans and Their Identity • Taeyoung Kim 8 The Education of Minorities in Japan: Voices of Amerasians in Okinawa • Naomi Noiri Part III: Reflections on Forces Affecting the Future of Japanese Education 9 Challenges to Japanese Education: Concluding Thoughts • George A. DeVos 10 Societal and Cultural Context of Educational Issues • Harumi Befu 11 A New Policy Context for Schooling in Japan • June A. Gordon and Gerald LeTendre About the Contributors Index Views From The Japanese Side: Challenges To Japanese Education / Takehiko Kariya -- Policy, Finance, And National Reform. Whither Japanese Schooling? Educational Reforms And Their Impact On Ability Formation And Educational Opportunity / Hidenori Fujita -- The End Of Egalitarian Education In Japan? The Effects Of Policy Changes In Resource Distribution On Compulsory Education / Takehiko Kariya -- Educational Stratification: Teacher Perspectives On School Culture And The College Entrance Examination / Mamoru Tsukada -- Educational Selection, Career Decisions, And School Support: The Case Of An Urban Commercial High School / Akira Sakai -- Educational Inequalities And Marginalized Groups. Invisible Racism In Japan: Impact On Academic Achievement Of Minority Children / Yoshiro Nabeshima -- Schooling Of Buraku Women: Life Histories In Eastern Japan / Haruhiko Kanegae -- The Education Of Zainichi Koreans And Their Identity / Taeyoung Kim -- The Education Of Minorities In Japan: Voices Of Amerasians In Okinawa / Naomi Noiri -- Reflections On Forces Affecting The Future Of Japanese Eduction. Challenges To Japanese Education: Concluding Thoughts / Goerge A. Devos -- Societal And Cultural Context Of Educational Issues / Harumi Befu -- A New Policy Context For Schooling In Japan / June A. Gordon, Gerald Letendre. Edited By June A. Gordon ... [et Al.]. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. In this volume, eight leading Japanese scholars present their research on profound and sensitive issues facing Japanese society, much of which has not been available to the English-speaking world. Traveling from Japan to engage in a unique forum at University of California, they joined eminent professors Befu, DeVos, and Rohlen to bring over fifty leading scholars up to date on the global challenges facing Japan and how education has and will play into the reformulation of its identity. - Publisher In this volume, eight leading Japanese scholars present their research on profound and sensitive issues facing Japanese society, much of which has not been available to the English-speaking world. The text examines such topics as education policy changes, the education of minorities, the hegemony of college entrance examinations, social mobility, and basic human rights.