History of Japanese education : keys to social and citizenship education

Abstract

The direct origin of the structure of the Japanese education system must be understood within the American occupation in the mid-twentieth century. So, from mid-1980s, Japanese state has feared losing its collective political identity and its cultural identity; increasing tension between being “Japanese citizen” and “world citizen”. A historical review will allow us to understand contemporary educational contrasts that directly affects the construction of young Japanese citizenship and the teaching of History. In general, we try to understand the educational activities carried out in the political and social context of the Tokugawa shogunate, actions that led to a cultural maturity and a high level of literacy; all under the heritage of traditional education and the separation of social classes. We board the identity shock and changes in citizenship and society from the Edo Period to the Meiji Era after the Boshin War (1968-1969). We review some of the most important changes that have taken place in the Japanese education system since the promulgation of the Law of the Educational System in 1872, focusing on the teaching of History. Finally, it is approached the status of academic internationalization and the search for balance between cosmopolitan citizenship and Japanese citizenship.