School

I would like to share an episode from my first experience in Japan. As a Japanese person, I had very mixed feelings about it.

I wrote about a painful childhood memory that motivated me to become a teacher.

I recalled the strange things that happened at school during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every day was filled with suspicion and uncertainty, and it was difficult.

I would like to introduce the crazy response of schools to the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking back, I think it was an impossible policy. I would like to think about the nature of the school where this was commonly attended.

The reason why many Japanese people are passive is that since their student days, classes have been one-sided lecture-based and they have had very few opportunities to think for themselves.

The Japanese characteristic of being very obedient to rules is partly due to the school rules and collectivist education they received during their school days.

The media often reports that young people these days don't own cars, but that's a big mistake; even if they want a car, they can't afford it.

I believe that the pressure to conform that is unique to Japanese people is caused by a distorted education system. This is because education places more importance on cooperation and roles within a group than on the individual. I wrote this as a teacher who sees the situation in the classroom every day.

Japanese people are forced to compete for entrance exams from a young age. I would also like to write about the invisible rigidity that many Japanese people have.This troublesome rigidity may be restricting the freedom of the Japanese people.

I believe that the reality of Japan, where it is difficult for children to live, is one of the causes of the declining birthrate and aging population that are becoming problems.I will give some specific examples from a teacher's perspective.