Subjects and class hours
Standard yearly class periods set by the national curriculum. Schools may add more.
- Japanese 175 periods
- Arithmetic 175 periods
- Social studies 105 periods
- Science 105 periods
- Physical education 90 periods
- English 70 periods
- Integrated studies 70 periods
- Home economics 55 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
- 191 new kanji, finishing the 1,026 elementary kanji, plus essays, speeches and classical texts.
- Arithmetic
- Multiplying and dividing fractions, ratio, direct and inverse proportion, area of a circle, symmetry, volume of prisms and cylinders, and data.
- Science
- Burning, the human body's organs, how plants make food, rocks and land formation, levers, generating electricity, and acids and alkalis.
- Social studies
- Japanese history from the Jōmon period to today, how government and the constitution work, and Japan's role in the world.
- English
- Talking about their town, summer holiday and future dreams, with short reading and writing.
- Home economics
- Planning meals, sewing with a machine and looking after their home.
School life this year
- The national academic assessment in April, mainly in Japanese and maths.
- The school trip (shūgakuryokō), often to Kyoto, Nara or Nikkō.
- Leading school events as the oldest students.
- The graduation ceremony (sotsugyōshiki) in March.
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.