The new semester starts in April in Japan.
Uniforms, gym clothes, shoes, and indoor shoes are quite expensive before enrollment.
Although this varies depending on whether the school is public or private, the average enrollment fee is around $670.
Personally, gym clothes are fine, but you can wear a T-shirt and shorts you have at home for gym clothes.
School rules are also very strict, and teachers will discipline students if they don’t wear the uniform properly.
In general, I think rules are strict not only in school, but in all areas of life.
Many Japanese people are subject to strict rules at school and continue to follow them closely even as adults.
Japan is a strange country that values group behavior even at the expense of the individual.
Therefore, if someone thinks or acts differently from the group, they are often shunned by the group and bullied.
I believe this tendency stems from the totalitarianism that Japanese people are taught at school during their student years.
As a result, the number of students who don’t fit in with the group and drop out of school is increasing.
I think they are victims of a Japanese society that does not recognize individuality.
Students who stop attending school suffer from mental illness and visit mental health clinics, and some even cut their wrists.
In the worst cases, it is not uncommon for them to be driven to suicide.
Diligent students who never miss a single day of school are recognized with perfect attendance awards.
Such students also enjoy very good reputations among their teachers.
In other words, students who never miss school are overly obedient students who faithfully follow school rules and teacher instructions.
Such students are sensitive to groupthink and will suppress their own will and thoughts in order to go along with the group.
Many of these students are concerned about what teachers think of them and act differently at school.
As a result, many students take out their school stress on their parents when they get home and become violent towards them.
After graduating from school, these students enter society and become honest company employees.
Overwork is the norm, and many die from overwork.
I’m an unusual teacher, but I don’t think that obedient students who never miss school are outstanding.
I would rather they prioritize their own thoughts and physical condition rather than worrying about the group.
