Compulsory moral education has been included in the Japanese national curriculum since 1872. Recent demographic trends have created an unstable society, and with the increase in heinous juvenile crimes, urgent demands are being made for a more effective program. Japan's Education Reform Plan for the 21st Century has as its second major strategy…

Briefly discusses the formation of the Japanese Association of Morality Psychology and lists the papers presented at its annual meetings since 1985. Presents a survey of publications on moral development and education in Japan, organized by theorists such as Kohlberg and Piaget and themes such as moral development theory. (GEA)

Describes the nature and scope of Japan's Institute of Moralogy (IOM), created in 1926. States that the goals of IOM emphasize individuality, life-long learning, and adaptation to social change, which includes contributing to the welfare of international society. Discusses the history, philosophy, and current activities of moralogists. (GEA)

Reviews the various conflicts that have occurred between the traditional and reformist elements in Japanese moral education since the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the time when Japan began to shift toward a modern society and political system. Attempts to clarify the special characteristics of moral education in Japan. (GEA)

Discusses the moral education at Reitaku High School (Chiba-ken, Japan) which emphasizes the constant improvement of each person's character. Outlines the five basic goals of the school, describing the three major methods used to achieve them: group instruction, moral education through the influence of character, and moral education in the…

This article traces the historical development of the Japanese nation with respect to the education, character, and spirit of its people. Changes in educational thought in the post-World War II period are discussed and indication made of the active interest in and current provisions for moral education in Japanese schools. (Author/SJL)

Examines Japan's Reitaku University (Chiba-ken, Japan) and its goal of producing students who have a good balance between technical intelligence and morality. Discusses in detail how the university uses foreign-language instruction, moral education coursework, and dormitory living experiences to further the students' moral education. (GEA)

Investigates aspects of the coverage of bioethical issues, especially environmental issues, in Japanese and German biology textbooks for lower secondary schools. Findings show that German textbooks devote more space to these issues and have a more appealing presentation style than Japanese textbooks. Teaching ethical viewpoints in biology is…

Provides an overview of compulsory moral education in Japan from 1886 through 1997, tracing the introduction of specific ideals to elementary and secondary students. Argues that moral education was used to instill conformity, docility, and social cohesion in Japanese youth in order to fulfill the priorities of the political system. (CMK)

Ethical behavior towards the environment includes valuing nature, living sustainably in harmony within nature, and respecting the autonomy of all living things. This paper describes a study of Japanese high school students' attitudes with regard to environmental ethics. Findings suggest that students who value environmental conservation tend to…

For generations, moral development has been both a conscious aim and a formal process in Japanese education. This book investigates the history and development of Japanese moral education and analyzes and compares current moral education with the concepts of the Imperial Rescript on Education (1890) and the "shushin" moral education of…

Briefly surveys the history of moral education in Japanese public schools. Reviews current government policies by examining directives from the Ministry of Education. Presents recent research findings about student attitudes. Places moral education in the schools in a cultural context. (DB)

Traces the history of kindergartens in Japan. Maintains that the Japanese government embraced the concept and modified it to encourage modernization. Includes 10 photographs of wood block prints showing how Friedrich Froebel's moral lessons were replicated in Japanese settings. (CFR)

The National Council for the Social Studies suggests that social studies programs should provide for the study of culture and cultural diversity (NCSS 1994). Within the NCSS culture strand is the expectation that students can predict how data and experiences may be interpreted by people from diverse cultural perspectives, compare and analyze…

The Japanese educational system is highly effective and is frequently pointed to as a potential model for reform of U.S. education. Although meaningful comparisons are difficult to make because the cultures are so different, educators in the United States can borrow and adopt many of the practices that make Japanese schools outstanding. According…