The modern school system of Japan began from the promulgation of the school system in 1872.
The Fundamental Law of Education and the School Education Law were enacted in 1947 and the 6-3-3-4-year system of school education was established aiming at realizing the principle of equal opportunity for education.
Upper secondary schools were first established in 1948, offering full-time and part-time courses, and in 1961 correspondence courses were added to the system.
The new system for universities began in 1949. The junior college system was established on a provisional basis in 1950 and on a permanent basis in 1964, following an amendment to the School Education Law.
Colleges of technology were initiated in 1962 to provide lower secondary school graduates with a five-year consistent education. At first, the courses offered by these colleges were limited to engineering and mercantile marine studies, but following an amendment to the School Education Law in 1991, they are now able to offer courses in other fields, as well as advanced courses.
For children with disabilities, formerly, special schools had been established separately by types of disabilities as “Schools for the Blind”, “Schools for the Deaf” and “Schools for the Intellectually Disabled, the Physically Disabled and the Health Impaired”. Later, in order to appropriately meet the needs of children with multiple disabilities, this school system was reformed following an amendment to the School Education Law which was enacted in FY 2007. Under the new system, there are only “Schools for Special Needs Education”, and one particular school can accept several disabilities. There are also resource rooms and special classes in elementary and lower secondary schools.
In addition, there are kindergartens for pre-classes children, and specialized training colleges and other miscellaneous vocational schools, which are offering technical courses or those for various practical purposes.
