REPOST: Can education change Japan's 'depressed' generation?

Honing one's intellect, creativity, and mental capacity should start at a young age. In Japan, where virtually every batch of graduates (on a national scale) has a moniker corresponding their achievements or future role in the society, being knowledgeable in many learning areas is a resounding must. Read the following report about the education system in the country for more details.

Every lesson at Japanese schools starts with a simultaneous bow. "Let's try that again because your posture wasn't good," says a teacher to a room full of six and seven year-olds.

She then reminds the children to have their pencil boxes, notepads and textbooks on top of each other and placed at the left corner of their desks. The students obey without a single word of objection.

A few hours later, they queue quietly before being served their lunch.

Towards the end of their education this conformist attitude is still evident. Each year, more than half a million university students start looking for work together.

The first step is to perfect a handwritten resume, or CV, because many in Japan believe that students' characteristics and personalities can be judged by the way they write.

All dressed in a black "recruit suit", they then visit hundreds of companies. Bold hues of black, navy or dark grey are the recommended colours for their job-hunting suits.

Stripes are not encouraged. According to the teachers and career counsellors, it is considered risky to be fashionable.

'Withdrawn' generation

The job-hunting season is a huge part of Japanese life and has even influenced the nicknames given to different generations.


Jobseeker Yoko Sato says she has no desire to work abroad |
Image source: BBC

In Japan, there is no Generation X, Y or Z.

Born in 1981, I belong to the "employment ice age" generation when university graduates struggled to find work because of the state of the economy. It is believed to have resulted in the highest number of "withdrawn" or "hikikomori" who refuse to leave their rooms after feeling rejected by the society.

The generation before us was much luckier and is known as the "bubble" generation, because the Japanese economy was at its peak as they entered workforce.

There are stark differences between those who witnessed Japan's booming economy and today's youth.

There are a number of nicknames for them: the "relaxed" generation is most commonly used because they were educated under a revised system aimed at freeing children from cramming, or intensive learning.

The "enlightened" generation is another, and it implies that they had only known Japan in its economic decline and had learned not to expect anything, including wealth or even sex.


Government adviser William Saito says parents want their children to get good jobs in stable Japanese companies | Image source: BBC

Their low self-esteem and unhappiness are obvious in the government's annual survey of the country's youth, aged between 13 and 29. Less than half of those surveyed (45.8%) said they were happy with themselves, compared to 86% in the US, 83.1% in the UK, or 71.5% in South Korea.

Depressed youths

Nearly 80% of Japanese youth felt depressed in the week of the survey, which is more than double compared to Germany. One third of them don't think they'll be happy when they are 40.

It is also a generation that is known not to take a risk.

For example, the number of youths studying overseas has fallen by nearly 30% between 2004 and 2012 (from 82,945 to 60,138). That's according to data collected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.


While traditional Japanese nail salons are expanding successfully abroad, many workers are happy at home | Image source: BBC

"I studied English at school but I have no desire to study it further to be able to work abroad," says Yoko Sato, whom I met at a recruitment forum in Tokyo. "If I get a job with a Japanese company, that'll be much more stable."

It is an attitude that comes from the parents, says William Saito, who advises the government.

"Parents are mortally afraid of their children falling off what's known in Japan as the escalator, because of what they have gone through.

"So if you don't go lock-step with your peers in finding a job and getting a promotion, they feel that they'll be left behind and that the disparity will increase," he adds.

Even after they get a job, more than half of new recruits at Japanese companies say they don't want to be deployed abroad, according to the Japan Management Association.

St. Bruno Catholic School provides after-school programs that teach students about becoming a well-rounded individual. Visit its official website for the list of curricula it offers.

REPOST: Make 2015 a year of learning – ten simple tips for parents of young children

The new year could be a fresh start for parents to encourage learning and set high but reasonable expectations for their children. The Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood offers the following tips for cultivating love of learning in children: 

1. In the morning, encourage your child to dress himself as much as possible. While it may be easier (and quicker) for you to put those shoes on, your child will learn valuable self-help skills that build his capacity to persevere when tasks are challenging.

Image Source: childrcloth.net

2. While traveling to child care, play children’s music in your car and sing along! Your child can expand her vocabulary and other language skills needed to become a successful reader and writer.

3. When you have to wait, pull a book from your bag and read to your child. Waiting in line or for an appointment can be frustrating even for adults. By always being prepared for waiting, you can help your child stay calm and love books at the same time.

Image Source: mindmatter.net.au

4. While you are outside, notice and label what you and your child see. Children learn to “read” familiar signs, such as stop and railroad signs, and begin to understand that letters are symbols for something. Younger children learn about the world around them when you say the names of various birds, animals, people and objects you see.

5. When you go to the store, prepare your child for what you will buy and not buy. Discussing that you are at the store to buy milk for dinner (and not candy) reduces the struggles that can occur in the check-out line and helps your child manage his own behavior.

6. While making dinner, invite your child to join you in the kitchen instead of watching TV or playing electronic games. Talk about the orange color of the carrots. Count out the silverware at each place. Watch the water boil for the pasta (from a safe distance).

Image Source: womansday.com

7. Eat dinner together at a table, and talk about your day. Ask your child questions that helps her think critically, such as, “What did you like best about your day?” Beginning to compare and contrast are skills your child will need for math and science.

8. Include children in household chores, such as sorting laundry and picking up toys. Make these chores enjoyable by playing music, counting and matching socks and toys, and doing chores together.

9. Establish bedtime routines, such as bathing, cuddling, and reading a book. Young children learn how to manage their emotions and get along with others when they feel safe and secure in their routines.

10. Get plenty of rest! You are better able to see the learning opportunities in every day when you are well rested, eating well, and exercising. Remember that you need to take care of yourself in order to take care of your child.

Catherine Carvalho is the principal of St. Bruno Catholic School, a kindergarten and primary school fully accredited by the the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Western Catholic Education Association. For more learning tips, follow this Twitter account.