Productivity improvement through education: Learning the Japanese way?

An analysis shows the impact of the Japanese educational system on Japan's economic power, and ways to improve the weak link between school and work in the US. While American educational system pride itself on the development of individualism, the Japanese systems prides itself on the group cooperation. The greatest advantage of the Japanese educational system arises from the nation's culture. Japanese believe that their nation's future depends on their children and, in turn, their children's future depends on the education they receive. With only a few non-Japanese students, the curriculum can focus on the Japanese way of doing things. This concept of conformity is stressed and reinforced through curriculum, teacher and learning methods. The main problem with the US system of education centers on its methodology. A link between classroom performance and prospects for future employment must be established to motivate students to work harder. Solutions to the educational problem include: 1. on-the-job-training, 2. apprenticeship programs, and 3. school-business partnerships.