Japanese Education System

Japanese schools are extremely strict and tough by American standards, but they are also extremely effective at teaching students what they will need to know when they get into the working world. Entrance exams designed to weed out the weak are required for college, high school, junior high, and even some elementary schools. The students must be (and are) for the most part very ambitious about their future. Their parents continually push them to go further, opening their wallets wide to “Cram Schools” and other education programs designed to help students succeed in the difficult Japanese school system.
It is clear that Japanese people place high value hard work, dedication, and persistence. They teach this, from the very beginning of their education, by having an eight hour school day, going to school usually six days a week (seven sometimes, if they have an exam). They have hardly any free time. However, a Japanese student only has to go to school up until 9th grade; ...