Having spent four years immersed in the Japanese education system, both as a student and as an instructor, I’ve found Japan’s teaching methods distinctly differ from those common in Western countries.

At my university, learning Japanese through memorization became a primary technique. This method is widely utilized throughout Japan, as confirmed by my Japanese mates and their past education experiences during primary and secondary schooling.

This memorization approach at Ritsumeikan University resulted in me learning set phrases and conversations, with no understanding of underlying grammar. Consequently, my ability to engage in spontaneous conversations was impaired, causing my Japanese language skills improvement to plateau.

Several other subjects at the university, such as politics, history, and media, reflected the same education philosophy. Professors, predominantly Japanese natives, stuck to a rigid memorization-based curriculum, often presenting information exactly as outlined on PowerPoint slides.

Importantly, I encountered great educators too! Their exceptionalism, however, underlined the commonality of the memorization approach.

This teaching method was also prevalent at junior and high schools, where my friends served as English teaching assistants.

This emphasis on memorization over communication lies in Japan’s competitive academic environment, where passing exams and securing good grades often overshadow holistic learning. International students particularly find this teaching approach difficult when attempting to learn Japanese.

Now, as an English teacher at several schools, I observe students grappling with their English skills due to rigid memorization methods.

The repetitive, uniform nature of class activities and the higher importance placed on attendance rather than class participation, add to the challenge. Such redundancies eventually lowered my motivation and made getting up for classes a chore.

The Japanese education system’s focus on memorization over fluency can pose distinct challenges, particularly for international students and those keen on fostering an in-depth, vibrant understanding of subjects or the Japanese language.