The Japanese High School: Silence and Resistance

For large numbers of school students in Japan school has become a battle field. Recent violent events in schools, together with increasing drop-out rates and bullying are undermining stereotypes about the effectiveness of the Japanese education system. This incisive and original book looks at Japanese high school from a student perspective and contextualises this educational turmoil within the broader picture of Japans troubled economic and political life.

Introduction 1. Japanese Students in Crisis 2. Methodology and Comparative Problems Part 1. Control: The Structure of Silence 3. Student-Teacher Relationship: The Alienation Paradigm 4. Discipline and Punish 5. School Rules: The Web of Regimentation 6. Study: Competition and Meaninglessness Part 2. Responses: Conformity and Resistance 7. Ijime The Price of Super Conformity 8. Tokokyohi Burnout and Resistance Conclusion Bibliography Index