Commentary / Japan Nov 11, 2019
Why Japan's English education is a fiasco
by Kuni Miyake
The first step toward improving Japanese student's English-speaking ability is to ensure their English teachers can speak the language.
National Nov 9, 2019
Japanese ranked 53rd in English skills in annual worldwide survey
The English proficiency level for Japanese was ranked 53rd in an annual survey of 100 non-English speaking countries and regions by EF Education First, down from 49th place in last year's survey. The grim status quo was highlighted at a time when teachers and others ...
National / Social Issues Nov 9, 2019
Japan to go ahead with using descriptive questions in university entrance exams from 2020
Japan will carry out plans to introduce descriptive questions for Japanese and mathematics subjects under a new unified university entrance examination system starting in fiscal 2020, education minister Koichi Hagiuda said. "We will work to create a good exam that is easy to score," Hagiuda ...
Editorials Nov 8, 2019
The government should not let problems with a new system for university entrance exams affect the overall pace of much-needed English education reform.
National Nov 8, 2019
Japan school boards start to rethink 'black rules' on everything from underwear to protesting
by Tomohiro Osaki
Japan’s teaching culture prizes conformity and docility, but the public is apparently getting fed up with the suffocating rules imposed to achieve that.
National Nov 7, 2019
The education ministry said Thursday that it will conduct a large-scale survey to understand the state of university education among third-year college students across the country. The online survey will be conducted on some 410,000 students at 515 universities between Nov. 25 and Dec. 20. ...
National Nov 7, 2019
Universities in Japan taking steps to promote acceptance of LGBT students
The movement to create safe environments for sexual minorities at universities is gaining traction across Japan, with alumni groups and faculty promoting initiatives to deepen understanding and provide support for the LGBT community. "I want to make my alma mater a place where sexual minorities ...
Business / Corporate Nov 7, 2019
Toshiba to tie up with University of Tokyo in global race to secure more AI engineers
Toshiba Corp. said Thursday it will team up with the University of Tokyo to nurture specialists in artificial intelligence as part of efforts to secure talent in the hot next-generation technology. The electronics giant aims to nearly triple its AI engineers to 2,000 by March ...
National / Politics Nov 7, 2019
Abe vows level playing field for students taking English tests for Japan university entrance
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Wednesday the government will consider measures to address inequalities in opportunities for students taking private-sector English tests under a planned unified university entrance examination system. At a House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting, Abe said the government will develop a ...
National Nov 1, 2019
Private English tests for Japan university entrance exams delayed after minister's gaffe
The government review, which will take over a year, follows a widely criticized remark by the education minister that appeared to discriminate against low-income families.
National Oct 31, 2019
Some in LDP want to delay plan for private-sector English tests in university entry exams
The move comes as worries persist over inequalities in opportunities arising from students’ economic situations and geographic locations.
National / Politics Oct 30, 2019
Defense Minister Taro Kono apologizes for 'rain man' joke as Japan reels from typhoons
Defense Minister Taro Kono apologized Tuesday for joking about his "rain man" moniker at a time when Japan is reeling from the impact of multiple typhoons in recent months. "I would like to apologize to all those to whom I caused offense," he told an ...