Public Education in Japan: Academic Achievement, Cost, and Democracy

This book provides a sociological examination of the functions of public education that were not fully discussed in my 2014 book, "Why is Japan's Public Expenditure on Education So Low? Re-examining the Public Role of Education" (Keiso Shobo). While the previous book received unexpectedly high praise, it was a hardcover academic text and thus priced out of reach for many. This book, however, is a paperback (Shinsho) intended for university students and above. I have incorporated basic and up-to-date findings to make it accessible to a wide audience, hoping it will serve as a catalyst for each reader to think about the public nature of education.

As is clear from international comparative data, Japan's public education expenditure rate is at the lowest level in the OECD, whether based on government fiscal spending or GDP. While Japan's total education expenditure, including private spending, is at the OECD average, this is only maintained through the heavy financial burden placed on households. Private spending is particularly high for pre-school and higher education.

However, this issue is not widely shared among the Japanese public. While there is discourse claiming education is a noble and important endeavor, the percentage of Japanese people who desire an increase in public education spending is low by international standards. Those who receive an education certainly enjoy its benefits, but the spread of education also brings benefits to society as a whole. Yet, the latter is rarely recognized. Educational scholars have also neglected the effort to empirically demonstrate the public benefits of education.

This book attempts to demonstrate the significance of education from a social scientific and empirical perspective while introducing cutting-edge research from the United States and elsewhere. Naturally, I am aware of Japan's dire fiscal situation and do not intend to support simplistic arguments for free education. In fact, it may lead to an increased tax burden for citizens. Therefore, if public education spending is to be increased, social consensus based on an understanding of the public significance of education is necessary. The challenge lies in how to present that rationale and evidence.

Japanese schools have been subjected to strong social criticism, perhaps as a backlash to high expectations. However, bashing schools and teachers will not solve the problem. From an international comparative perspective, Japanese education is performing well in some areas. We must also recognize that many issues are related to the labor market and family structures rather than education itself.

Public Education in Japan: Academic Achievement, Cost, and Democracy

Wataru Nakazawa (Author)

Chuokoron-Shinsha

280 pages, 880 yen (excluding tax)

*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of writing.