The Power to Compete: An Economist and an Entrepreneur on Revitalizing Japan in the Global Economy

Chapter 6The Power to Educate

Uniform Japanese Education

Hiroshi:

Let's talk now about the problems facing education. I have the feeling that the thinking about education has been different in the United States and Japan from the very beginning. What do you think?

Ryoichi:

In Japan's case, education has literally been about teaching and fostering knowledge. In the United States, it has been all about education—in other words, “to educe” (to bring out potential). That's the etymology of the word, and it exemplifies how education in the United States is concerned with drawing out the abilities of those being taught. In that sense, the concept of education differs between Japan and the United States. Education in Japan is influenced by Confucius. I believe that in China they have the same feelings as we do.

In the United States, students start asking more questions from an early age, but in Japan, we teach through a top-down educational structure. I went to observe one of your classes when you were in elementary school, and I remember seeing that for myself. That same principle of teaching and fostering by the teacher is prevalent in Japan's universities as well.

Hiroshi:

I feel that in Japan, and in elementary and junior high school in particular, education is extremely uniform and based on receiving and following instructions. My strong feeling is that this is a framework designed to produce robotlike students. There are those in politics and finance who have even said that ...