News On Japan

The Hidden Reasons Behind School Absences

TOKYO, Mar 26 (News On Japan) - Amid a record high number of elementary and junior high school students not attending school, a survey has revealed a significant gap between the students' self-reported reasons and teachers' perceptions.

While about 70% of the students cited physical and mental health issues, less than 20% of teachers recognized these factors. The number of non-attending students reached approximately 299,000 in the 2022 academic year, the highest ever recorded, prompting the National Institute for Educational Policy Research, commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, to investigate the causes. The survey included 19,005 students from elementary to first-year high school and their parents and teachers across four municipalities, including Yamanashi Prefecture and Suita City in Osaka Prefecture, with a focus on those with a history of non-attendance.

The survey asked students with non-attendance experience about the situations that made it difficult for them to go to school, allowing for multiple responses. Out of 239 students, 77% cited "anxiety/depression," 70% reported "drowsiness, inability to wake up in the morning, or sleeplessness at night," and 69% mentioned "poor physical health" as contributing factors. In contrast, only 10-20% of the 1,424 homeroom teachers recognized these issues. Furthermore, while 26% of students reported being victims of bullying, only 4% of teachers acknowledged it.

Manabu Wakuda, director of the National Institute for Educational Policy Research, emphasized the need for measures that consider the difficulties teachers face in recognizing the conditions of their students amidst their busy schedules. He suggested that strategies such as using personal digital devices to monitor changes in students' mental and physical health are becoming increasingly necessary.

Source: NHK

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

As Japan enjoys the economic boost from a surge in foreign tourists, the hot spring town of Atami has introduced a lodging tax in April to tackle overtourism—prompting backlash from Japanese travelers who question why they, too, must pay a fee meant for inbound tourism.

A Japanese emergency relief team dispatched by the government has begun operations in Mandalay, a region heavily affected by the recent earthquake in central Myanmar that has claimed more than 3,000 lives.

Shuri Castle, a symbol of Okinawa's Ryukyu heritage, suffered extensive damage in a devastating fire in October 2019 that destroyed the main hall and many other structures. The cause of the blaze remains unknown.

A deepening labor shortage in Japan’s construction industry is beginning to impact homebuyers, with some experiencing delays of more than six months before construction can even begin due to a lack of available carpenters.

The Imperial Household Agency launched an official YouTube channel on April 1st to introduce the activities of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Education NEWS

Kyushu University held its entrance ceremony on April 3rd, welcoming 2,594 new undergraduate students. As many begin living alone for the first time, they face rising living costs, with average monthly allowances increasing slightly to 72,350 yen.

When the sun sets in the world’s most captivating cities, a different kind of elegance emerges. For the refined traveler who craves more than the ordinary, cities like Tokyo and Dubai transform into luxurious playgrounds where fantasies take flight under the moonlight.

The Osaka Prefectural Board of Education has decided to move the general entrance exam date for public high schools to March 1st, starting three years from now.

The Imperial Household Agency announced that Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of the Akishino family, who will begin his studies at the University of Tsukuba this spring, will have a private apartment prepared near the university for potential solo living.

A cultural event at JR Asahikawa Station on Friday introduced children to traditional Ainu dance, aiming to preserve the heritage of Japan’s indigenous people.

Uragawa Elementary School in Tenryu Ward, Hamamatsu City, closed its doors after 151 years, marking the end of an era for the Uragawa district. Established in 1874, the school was the last remaining elementary school in the area, where there were once four.

"My horoscope tells me about my strengths and weaknesses, the best and worst parts of my personality, how my day is going, and who I am most connected with... it can even help me make smart decisions, like whether to date Todd."

Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, attended his final day of high school on March 18th. The Imperial Household Agency released a set of photos marking his time at Tsukuba University High School, including images of him playing badminton.