Number of school students in Japan falls to record low

TOKYO, Aug 25 (News On Japan) - The number of students in elementary and junior high schools in Japan has reached an all-time low due to declining birthrates, a new survey reveals.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) conducts annual surveys on the number of schools, classrooms, enrolled students, and teaching staff at each school nationwide.

According to the survey results for the 2023 academic year released by MEXT on August 23, the number of elementary school students across the nation has decreased by about 102,000 compared to the previous year, totaling approximately 6.05 million as of May 1. The number of junior high school students has also decreased by about 28,000, reaching around 3.178 million. Both figures have become the lowest ever recorded.

The decline is attributed to the impact of a declining birthrate, leading to a 42-year consecutive decrease in elementary schools. Within a single year, a total of 252 public elementary and junior high schools have disappeared.

On the other hand, the number of university undergraduates has reached an all-time high, approximately 2.633 million, an increase of 800 students compared to the previous year.

The number of female university students has also reached a record high, attributed in part to the rising percentage of women pursuing higher education at universities instead of short-term colleges.

Furthermore, the number of female teachers in junior high schools and universities has reached an all-time high, contributing to an overall record high proportion of women among the teaching staff.

MEXT explains that the trend of actively hiring female teachers in universities and similar institutions, along with the advancement of women in society, are considered factors behind these developments.

Source: ANNnewsCH

Japan to Tighten Visa Rules on Foreigners Behind on Health Insurance

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare plans to introduce a new system starting in June 2027 that will, in principle, deny changes or renewals of residence status for foreign residents who fail to pay their national health insurance premiums despite repeated requests for payment.

New Typhoon is Forming, Okinawa Could Be Affected Next Week

As of November 4th, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that a tropical depression near the Caroline Islands is expected to develop into a typhoon within the next 24 hours. The system is separate from Typhoon No. 25 (Haiyan) currently near the Philippines and is projected to move northwestward once it intensifies.

China Extends Visa-Free Entry for Japan

China’s Foreign Ministry announced that it will extend visa-free entry for Japan, France, and 43 other countries until the end of December 2026, as the government seeks to attract more overseas investment and tourists amid a prolonged economic slowdown.

Akita Woman Becomes 13th Bear Victim

Japan’s record-breaking bear crisis has entered a new and deadly phase, with authorities confirming that a 79-year-old woman missing in Akita Prefecture was found dead in the mountains, believed to be the 13th fatality from bear attacks this year.

Second Bird Flu Case of the Season, Massive Culling Underway

An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed at a poultry farm in Eniwa City, Hokkaido, prompting authorities to begin culling operations on Sunday afternoon.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

Calculating Risk and Responsibility: The Life of an Actuary

In the 18th installment of the series “Paths for Science Students,” Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Bank’s Eguchi offered a detailed look into the little-known but vital world of actuaries—professionals who apply mathematics, probability, and statistics to assess financial risks in pensions and insurance.

Japan to Introduce Free High School Education Next Year

The Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and Komeito have reached an agreement on the framework for Japan’s new free high school tuition program, which will begin in fiscal 2026. Under the plan, tuition support for private full-time high schools will be capped at 457,000 yen, while correspondence courses will have an upper limit of 337,000 yen.

Aichi Faces Surge in Teacher Misconduct as Trust in Schools Erodes

The number of disciplinary actions at public elementary and junior high schools in Aichi Prefecture during the first half of 2025 has exceeded three times that of the same period last year, prompting growing concern among parents over how to engage with schools.

Teachers Compete in Mock Lesson Championship in Nagoya

Teachers from across Japan are gathering in Nagoya to compete in a national contest that tests and refines their classroom teaching skills. The event, called the "National Mock Lesson Championship in Nagoya," is organized by the Noda Juku preparatory school to help both cram school instructors and school teachers improve their teaching techniques.

Inside Japanese Fonts: How Designers Shape the Way We Read

Fonts are an invisible part of daily life, yet they profoundly shape how we perceive information and emotion. From the elegant Mincho to the bold Gothic, these designs are chosen according to purpose—whether to convey clarity, trust, or impact—and their influence extends beyond readability into branding and communication.

Chinese National Arrested Over Organized TOEIC Cheating

Tokyo police have arrested a Chinese national on suspicion of document forgery and other offenses in connection with a case of TOEIC exam fraud involving impersonation.

Real-Life Water Police: Protecting Tokyo’s Seas and Rivers

Tokyo’s seas and rivers, once considered lawless backwaters beyond the reach of regular policing, are now under constant watch by a dedicated force known as the “water police,” specialists who patrol the capital’s waterways, chase down smugglers, stop reckless jet ski riders, and carry out dramatic rescue missions to save lives.

Why Tokyo University’s Data Science Course Has Teens Hooked

A rapidly growing data science program at the University of Tokyo is attracting an unusually wide range of participants, with junior high and high school students studying alongside university students and working adults.

< 2 3 4 5 >