The “Correct” Way of Doing Things in Japan

One aspect of Japan that appears odd to us free-thinking foreigners is how strict the educational system can be, especially elementary and junior high school, which is the extent of compulsory education. (High school is “optional” although nearly everyone goes.) It was quite interesting, witnessing the education of my half-Japanese, half-American children as they passed through the Japanese school system. I remember on one of the many parents’ days that were held — parents in Japan are a lot more involved with school than has been my experience in the U.S., at least in my own case — I saw a poster on the wall that taught children “the correct way to sit in a chair while studying.” I can’t remember back far enough to recall if they had similar posters in my own elementary school, but I’m pretty sure they didn’t. There can be drawbacks to trying to get every child to do things the same way. I don’t think it’s done any more, but in decades past left-handed children certainly felt subtle pressure to use their right hands, like everyone else in the class.There’s often a “correct” way of doing things in Japan.