I was born and raised in Japan. However, ever since I was a child, I have always found Japanese society strange and odd.
As you know, Japan is an island nation, so national borders are not seen like in other countries.
Japan’s unique culture and customs have been passed down since ancient times.
This environment has many advantages and disadvantages.
I first felt something was off when I started elementary school.
Japanese schools consist of six years of elementary school from the age of six, followed by three years of junior high school from the age of 12 to 15, with elementary and junior high school being compulsory education.
There is kindergarten before entering elementary school, and most Japanese people attend kindergarten.
Japanese schools tend not to accept individual thoughts or actions. Everyone is educated as an individual within a group.
At school, students are divided into classes and assigned groups.
For example, students must act as a group on field trips, sports festivals, and school trips.
Students are allowed to wear their own clothes in elementary school, but in junior high and high school, they must wear school-designated uniforms.
Students wear these uniforms on field trips and school trips.
Only designated gym clothes are allowed for physical education classes.
Of course, wearing these designated gym clothes is also mandatory for sports festivals.
I’ll write more about this next time.
Thank you for reading.
