Japan’s Juken Industry

The juken industry, consisting of juku and yobiko, has become an integral part of the Japanese educational system, which has as its focus the passing of entrance examinations. This industry has both negative and positive effects on Japanese society. On the negative side we can mention the reduction of free time available to children for more pleasant and mindbroadening activities and the hardship on parents who must devote a substantial share of their income for these additional studies. These expenditures may well be one reason for the reduction in the desire to have children, seen in Japan in recent years. Additionally, while memorization, paying attention to details, and cramming of facts were desirable qualities when Japan was borrowing foreign technology, they may not be adequate for the future when Japan is called upon to take a leading role in technological innovations One positive effect of the juku concerns the reduction of free time for young children, which may be one explanation for the low rate of juvenile delinquency in Japan. It may also have contributed to the high level of primary and secondary education in Japan, as reflected in the high scores Japanese children attain in international comparisons of scholastic achievements Several developments will have an impact on the future of the juken industry. Japan has already passed the peak of juku-aged children as a result of the second baby boom. The number of children in these age groups is estimated to decline by 28.9% between 1985 and 2000. This will cause fierce competition among juku and yobiko and probably reduce their number. On the other hand, it can be expected that a larger share of high school graduates will continue on to higher education, thus mitigating this contrary effect Any changes in the employment practices of companies, such as less emphasis on school history and an increase in the importance of individual merit, would also reduce the desire for entry into prestigious universities and consequently the need to prepare for them. Likewise, the introduction of a differential system in schools under which the more capable students would get advanced teaching may also reduce the demand for out-of-school additional training. Also, a change in university entrance examinations, directed to selecting students by their future potential rather than their past acquisition of facts and details, may also reduce the need for juku and yobiko. These changes may be initiated by the Ministry of Education or come as a result of public pressure, but such changes will probably take a long time. While criticism of the juken industry is prevalent, it seems that most Japanese still accept it as a necessary evil.