JAPANESE
EDUCATION 
<Compulsory Education>
Japanese highest law clearly mentions that it is parents' duty to send their children to school. So, all children are supposed to go to school. The compulsory education is 9 years, from 7 to 15 years of age. During the compulsory education, students go to elementary schools and junior high schools. Students between age 7 to 12 go to elementary schools and students between age 13-15 go to junior high schools. Though it is not compulsory to go to high schools, more than 95 % of students who graduated from junior high schools continue on high schools.
<School Schedule>
Most schools have year-round system. Here are the regular semester system.
Second week of April to middle of July: First semester
Middle of July to August 31: Summer vacation
September to middle of December: Second semester
Middle of December to first week of Janury: Winter break
Second week of January to middle of March: Third semester
Middle of March to first week of April: Spring semester
<Curriculum>
Japan has the national curriculum so ALL SCHOOLS including private schools follow the same curriculum.
<Options of schools>
Students can choose either public schools or private schools. In the case of choosing private schools, they can go to any schools no matter how far it is from their houses. However, once they choose public schools, the school is automatically decided depending on the area students live.
