PSPINC CEO Kenichi Uchikura's Blog

Schools in America tend to be much newer, larger, and equipped with more facilities and resources. The budgets allocated to public education in the United States are generally much higher than those in Japan, especially when it comes to the physical infrastructure. Significant amounts of tax money are invested in building modern campuses, purchasing state-of-the-art equipment, maintaining sports fields, and providing advanced technology such as computers and interactive whiteboards.

 

In contrast, many public schools in Japan are older and far less equipped by comparison. It is not uncommon to see decades-old school buildings with minimal updates. Classrooms may lack modern teaching tools, and facilities can be quite basic. However, this does not necessarily correlate with the quality of education.

 

In fact, the educational outcomes tell a different story. Despite having older facilities, Japanese students consistently perform well in international academic comparisons, especially in math, science, and literacy. The emphasis in Japanese education is often placed on discipline, effort, and foundational skills rather than on the latest equipment. Teachers in Japan also tend to have strong professional training and a deep commitment to fostering learning.

 

In short, while American schools may appear more modern and better funded in terms of infrastructure, Japan demonstrates that the true strength of an education system lies in its teaching, culture, and academic focus—not simply in its buildings or hardware.