The Egalitarian Transformation of Postwar Japanese Education

An examination of the post-WWII educational system in Japan, & its role in transforming the nation's social structure from a rigidly hierarchical & authoritarian society to its present egalitarian form. Policy changes following the war greatly democratized the educational system. The influence of these changes in the educational system on the evolution of Japan's egalitarian society are discussed, using national survey data. A comparison of US & Japanese educational systems is made, as a rebuttal to critics who claim educational reform cannot effect social changes outside of school. Given the appropriate conditions, it is suggested that young people, trained in an egalitarian educational system, will exert pressure for egalitarian change on adult institutions. 2 Tables. W. Adams