Abstract
This paper discusses the education systems in both Britain where it is similar to that in the U.S. and Japan which has one of the most rigorous educational systems in the world. It briefly describes the structure of both systems and the level of involvement of the government in both countries in setting the curriculum as well as relevant statistics. It provides a compare and contrast analysis between the education systems in both countries highlighting definite similarities such as compulsory education between the ages of 5 and 16 and major differences such as social problems in Japan due to pressures to excel. Common issues in both the British and Japanese education systems are enhancing diversity, providing children with the tools necessary to remain current with technological advances, strengthening the relationship between schools, families, and communities.

From the Paper
"There are two parallel educational systems in Britain: the state system, where education is provided free, and the independent system, where parents normally pay fees. (The British Education System). Nearly 1 in 13 British school-age children are in the independent system. (The British Education System). Britain has a national curriculum, i.e., a statement of the minimum learning requirements of all children at each stage in their education. (The British Education System). This curriculum is compulsory in the state system and while independent schools are not bound by it, most of them teach what the national curriculum demands. (The British Education System)."

Tags:GCSE, national, curriculum, government, children, illiteracy, higher, education

Abstract
The paper discusses how between 1868 and 1945, the Japanese educational system went through an abundance of change. The paper explains that the country was lacking a system of higher education including law schools, therefore, it looked toward Europe and the United States for modernization models. The paper then discusses how eventually, a leading Japanese politician invoked the assistance of a prominent Prussian professor and an intricate system that combined the bureaucracy, the university system, to create an effective civil service system. The paper then notes that unfortunately, Japan did not hold fast to this ideal and began to give preference to certain university graduates as far as higher civil service positions.

From the Paper
"Between 1868 and 1945, the Japanese Educational system went through an abundance of change. The country was lacking a system of higher education including law schools, therefore, it looked toward Europe and the United States for modernization models. Eventually, a leading Japanese politician..."

Tags:japan, education, bureacracy

Abstract
Japan's history of selective borrowing from the education models of other countries has always enhanced, not subverted, its own traditional customs. Japan has always sought to educate the "whole child," but the Japanese concept of wholeness differs from that of the West.

From the Paper
"Japan's history of selective borrowing from the education models of other countries has always enhanced, not subverted, its own traditional customs. Japan has always sought to educate the "whole child," but the Japanese concept of wholeness differs from that of the West. Japan's collective mobilization of society to care and support its children's educational efforts results in students who are fully engaged in a learning process that emphasizes good habits, self-confidence, and respect for others.

Prior to the Tokugawa period, the Japanese had little use for education. Japan was divided into several hundred fiefs, ruled by men whose preoccupations were fighting, hunting, feasting, and showmanship. The samurai, the members of the warring class in feudal Japan, were trained in Zen Buddhism and military techniques. The limited scholarship that existed during ..."

Abstract
This is a paper about Japan's social developments. The author examines Japan's developments in military, educational and economical aspects with focus on the Japanese system of economic development.

From the Paper
"There is a time that every country must decide on its future function, whether to focus on defense, social justice, education, economy or others. Japan is no different. In the past fifty years, Japanese government has set economic development as its top priority, and the result is evident from 1960s through 1980s. This Japanese system of economic development is unique. This distinctive model has two main components: first, the keiretsu, industrial groupings, which provides the economic growth, and second, the government which one, paves the direction of economic development with financial assistance and two, plays the role of Gatekeeper. These two groups work together to bring unprecedented economic growth."

Tags:bureaucrats, city, economic, plan, policy, politicians, state

Abstract
This paper takes a critical and evaluative look at the use of computers in public junior high schools in Japan. It shows that Japan is harnessing technology and the Internet to help give its younger population a competitive advantage in what is set to become the 'information age'. The paper uses the case study of a British English language teacher, Lyle De Souza, who pioneered the use of advanced technologies to help learning in general and the teaching of English as a foreign language (TEFL) in particular.

From the Paper
"Much is made in the media in both the West and Japan of the uniformity of the Japanese education system. To Japanese traditionalists, uniformity is the solid rock of Japan's post-war economic success. It is the 'glue' that forms the cohesiveness of Japanese society--where standards of behavior are learned to be later obeyed. Modern day reformists and detractors have argued that such a system discourages individualism and creativity. They argue that--at any given time on any day--schools the length and breadth of Japan are likely to be teaching exactly the same things from exactly the same textbooks using exactly the same teaching methods. This would be fine assuming the teaching methods were effective but sometimes in Japan (particularly in English language teaching ) they are not and, even if they are aware of the shortcomings, Japanese teachers are reluctant to challenge the system."

Tags:technology, Internet, Japan, junior, high, school, Windows, speech, recognition, software, XP, Vista

Abstract
Modern Japan suffers from a mismatch between the needs of its economy and the skills of students produced by its education system. While Japan's economy boomed, employers feverishly recruited college graduates, especially those from prestigious universities, and new hires enjoyed the prospect of lifetime employment.

From the Paper
"Modern Japan suffers from a mismatch between the needs of its economy and the skills of students produced by its education system. While Japan's economy boomed, employers feverishly recruited college graduates, especially those from prestigious universities, and new hires enjoyed the prospect of lifetime employment. Today, the bubble has burst on Japan's economy and recent college graduates find themselves scrambling for jobs in a labor market that is oversupplied. The six-year slump in Japan's economy means that companies can no longer spare the funds for training new workers. Consequently, managers express a need for college graduates who are not only well-versed in information technology, global markets, and modern finance, but creative self-starters as well. In response to this need, Japan's Ministry of Education has initiated sweeping reforms."

Abstract
This paper discusses the novels of prolific Japanese author Natsume Soseki, which offer an interesting expose into life during the era of Emperor Meiji ,as well as a first hand account of the education system of that time. The paper summarizes the information that Soseki provides about Emperor Meiji and the reforms he implemented, which emphasized both nationalism and the integration of foreign ideals. The paper also points out that Soseki's novels reveal that, though change was afoot in Tokyo and intellectual thought was advancing, many of the traditional Japanese ideals still held fast amongst city and country folk alike.

Tags:natsume, soseki, review

Abstract
This paper takes a look at the negative consequences to Americans and American society suffered as a result of minimal foreign language skills. The paper compares the minimal emphasis that the American educational system places on learning a foreign language to the much stronger emphasis placed on learning a foreign language in virtually all other countries and then explains why the American educational system would be wise to implement better foreign language programs and promote the acquisition of a foreign language.

From the Paper
"The world has about 6,000 different languages, give or take a few. Linguists predict that at least half of those may have disappeared by the year 2050, which means languages are becoming extinct at twice the rate of endangered animals and four times the rate of endangered birds. Predictions are that a dozen languages may dominate the world of the future at best. (Ostler, 2002) For Americans, that's probably a good thing, since we are seemingly genetically engineered to maintain an appalling ignorance of other languages, and have narrowed down the choices we offer our young people to approximately one, Spanish, viewed by many to be the easiest foreign language to learn. It has been described in various places as having an "impoverished vocabulary", which means less work for Dick and Jane. The American education system so far is doing nothing to reverse the endangered languages trend, and much to promote it. In fact, there has been a criminal drop-off in foreign language study in American high schools."

Tags:japanese, italian, american, sign, language, russian, spanish, cultures, international, studies

Abstract
The paper discusses how Japanese society and cities are modeled after the Western world and this is a great transformation from the years of Shogun, the Ronin 47 and the calculated reconstruction of the symbolism of the Emperor and the use of Imperial will to control the citizens of Japan. The paper looks at what controls Japan's people now and discusses its trade with the West, prosperity of its people, betterment of its citizens through education and a human system of detaining criminals that rehabilitates humanely rather than relying on the finality of seppuku. The paper argues that to go to Japan is to be in awe of its history, tradition and strong sense of nationalism, but going to Japan also brings sadness for its loss of history, tradition and self. The paper asserts that Japan has become a place in the shadows of the Western dream of material success.

From the Paper
"The seventeenth century marked a period of historic change in Japan. After hundreds of years of civil war one clan rose above the rest and established a central government known as the bakufu. The dominant clan was known as Tokugawa. It was under the rule of Tokugawa that there was a clear classification between samurai, peasant, artisan and merchant. The samurai controlled the political and military power the remaining three classes had no political rights, but economic power soon came under the..."

Tags:transformation, power, symbolic

Abstract
The paper looks at an article by Pongson Choi Allen, "Changes in the Status of Japanese Women" that is a true historical perspective of the social status of women in Japan concluding in the 1950s, when the article was penned. The paper relates that Allen begins her article almost 2000 years ago and describes Japanese empresses, the feudal system and the teachings of Confucius. The paper describes how Allen also details how prior to the women's movement in the 1920s, Japanese textile companies and other such slave labor industries exploited women. The paper outlines how the American military presence in Japan is also described as well as how such occupation influenced coed education and the encouragement of women to attain a higher education.

From the Paper
"Annotated Bibliography: Allen, Pongson Choi. "Changes in the Status of Japanese Women." The Ohio Journal of Science 58 (1958): 39-42. This journal article is a true historical perspective of the social status of women in Japan concluding in the 1950s, when the article was penned."

Tags:bibliography, japan, china