Subjects and class hours
Standard yearly class periods set by the national curriculum. Schools may add more.
- Japanese 175 periods
- Arithmetic 175 periods
- Science 105 periods
- Social studies 100 periods
- Physical education 90 periods
- English 70 periods
- Integrated studies 70 periods
- Home economics 60 periods
- Music 50 periods
- Arts and crafts 50 periods
- Moral education 35 periods
- Homeroom and special activities 35 periods
Source: MEXT Course of Study (2017 revision), standard class hours.
What they learn
- Japanese
- 193 new kanji, honorific language (keigo), classical poems, and debates and presentations.
- Arithmetic
- Multiplying and dividing decimals, fractions with different denominators, area of triangles and parallelograms, volume, percentages, averages and pi.
- Science
- Plant germination, fish eggs and human birth, weather, flowing water, pendulums, electromagnets and dissolving.
- Social studies
- Japan's land and climate, rice farming and fishing, car factories and industry, and news and information.
- English
- Reading and writing as well as speaking: the alphabet, simple sentences about themselves.
- Home economics
- Sewing by hand and cooking simple dishes like boiled vegetables and rice.
School life this year
- An overnight nature school or camp (rinkan gakkō) at many schools.
- Running school committees and clubs.
- Learning to cook rice and miso soup in home economics.
School life guides
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Based on Japan's School Education Act and guidance from the Ministry of Education (MEXT). Local rules and dates vary, so check with your city or school.