With about 20 percent of children in Tokyo and other cities coming from severely impoverished households, Japan now takes its place beside the United States in sharing this shameful distinction. The designation has far-reaching implications for schools in both countries at a time when education is indispensable for upward mobility.

According to a survey commissioned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and conducted by Aya Abe of Tokyo Metropolitan University, poverty is defined as families meeting two or three of the following criteria: an annual income of ¥1.35 million or less, falling behind on utility or rent payments, and an inability to pay for cram schools, books or toys for their children.

The survey found that 15 percent could not afford to buy clothes for their children and 10 percent were unable to adequately feed themselves. When children from these backgrounds go to school, their learning is unavoidably affected. It's seen in the number of children who fall behind in their studies.