"An acutely perceptive set of essays providing fresh insights into many of the most misunderstood facets of Japanese education today. Much overdue, it sets the stage for new ways of seeing Japanese education in the comparative light of globalization."
—Thomas P. Rohlen, Professor of Education and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Emeritus

"Finally, a volume that conveys the perspectives of top Japanese scholars and activists on the complexities of schooling in Japan! This engaging volume is an excellent resource for all those interested in the pedagogical discourses, political forces, and economic dynamics driving Japan's recent attempts at education reform."
—Susan D. Holloway, University of California, Graduate School of Education, Berkeley CA

In this volume, eight leading Japanese scholars present their research on profound and sensitive issues facing Japanese society, much of which has not been available to the English-speaking world. Traveling from Japan to engage in a unique forum at University of California, they joined eminent professors Befu, DeVos, and Rohlen to bring over fifty leading scholars up to date on the global challenges facing Japan and how education has and will play into the reformulation of its identity.

Contents & Contributors:
Part I. Policy, Finance, and National Reform
Chapter 1: Whither Japanese Schooling? Educational Reforms and Their Impacts on Ability Formation and Educational Opportunity: Hidenori Fujita
Chapter 2: The End of Egalitarian Education in Japan? The Effects of Policy Changes in Resource Distribution on Compulsory Education: Takehiko Kariya
Chapter 3: Educational Stratification: Teacher Perspectives on School Culture and the College Entrance Examination: Mamoru Tsukada
Chapter 4: Educational Selection, Career Decisions, and School Support: The Case of an Urban Commercial High School: Akira Sakai

Part II. Educational Inequalities and Marginalized Groups
Chapter 5: Invisible Racism in Japan: Its Impact on Academic Achievement of Minority Children: Yoshiro Nabeshima
Chapter 6: Schooling ofBurakumin Women: Life Histories in Eastern Japan: Haruhiko Kanegae
Chapter 7: The Education of Zainichi Koreans and Their Identity: Taeyoung Kim
Chapter 8: Education of Minorities in Japan: Voices of Amerasians in Okinawa: Naomi Noiri

Part III. Reflections on Forces Affecting the Future of Japanese Education
Chapter 9: Challenges to Japanese Education: George A. DeVos
Chapter 10: Societal and Cultural Context of Educational Issues: Harumi Befu
Chapter 11: A New Policy Context for Schooling in Japan: June Gordon and Gerald LeTendre

June A. Gordon is Professor at the University of California at Santa Cruz. Hidenori Fujita is Professor at International Christian University (ICU). Takehiko Kariya is Professor at University of Oxford. Gerald LeTendre is Professor at the Pennsylvania State University.

Additional Contributors: Harumi Befu, George A. DeVos, Haruhiko Kanegae, Taeyoung Kim, Yoshiro Nabeshima, Naomi Noiri, Akira Sakai, and Mamoru Tsukada.