Japanese schools.....

[r-18]

Japanese schools....do they all look the same...i can't help but wonder because the vast majority of them in anime look the same or nearly so....it is like they had the same architect..

[skankfish]

Yep

[r-18]

so ...what is it then ???? does the government have some plan drawn up that all or at least schools appearing in anime must be built to...i have seen a few that don't seem to be to spec ....are schools in japan owned by the state....

[Cicada]

Each more identical than the last.

[skankfish]

Originally Posted by r-18

so ...what is it then ???? does the government have some plan drawn up that all or at least schools appearing in anime must be built to...i have seen a few that don't seem to be to spec ....are schools in japan owned by the state....

I will research this topic and write a blog about it in the future, because it sounds pretty interesting.

I'm not totally sure why they have such similar designs, but I'd guess it has something to do with post-war rebuilding and keeping things basic. Maybe there's some hint of the "everyone is the same" ideal behind it, I don't know.

They are slightly different, though. Obviously size makes a difference, but most will have the familiar layout, clocktower etc. The internals of the school will depend on the wealth of the local area. For example, some of the connecting corridoors in my school have no windows. Or rather, no glass. So walking from one side of the school to the other is facking freezing right now.

[r-18]

okay how about the school bells which all seem to sound alike.....

[skankfish]

Actually in my experience (7-8 schools), they all seem to be different.

In some (or all?) elementaries they don't have them. Lessons all merge into one, and when lunchtime is over they play a happy song.

[r-18]

i guess i was talking about the tune called winchester bells....

YouTube -

[ParaParaJMo]

Every English teacher in Japan will tell you that every situation, hence school, are all different. I've taught elementary, junior high, and senior high here in Japan. In high schools, the schools are all different since high schools are separated by students abilities, so they will have different technological resources, etc. I have taught at some really nice schools, and some really ghetto ones.

I currently teach at a small city in the western part of the Hiroshima prefecture (I don't teach exactly in Hiroshima city). I teach at one junior high and two elementary schools. One elementary school is up on a hill and only has 46 students all together (just a small populated area, and Japan has a RAPIDLY DECLINING birthrate). It's a pretty ghetto and run down school, but the kids are good and teachers are nice.

As for who "owns" the schools, there are of course public and private schools. Usually in anime and J-drama, a majority of the schools will be private since they can make up some flashy name for them and make up a cool uniform for it =p. For public schools, like the U.S. where each state runs its own education, the education standards on Japan is under the sovereignty and sanctioning of each prefecture. The elementary and junior high is run on a municipal level, but most of the time, depending on the prefecture and city size, high school is under the control of the prefecture board of education.

[Estemy]

Okey, but what is with the uniforms? Are the skirts of girls really that short (way higher than the knees) and do they really wear stocking underneath or its just anime? Im thinking it cant be like that for real.
And whats with the whole club system at schools? I dont understand at all why is it important to be in one and how they are made and in how many can you be. In my country clubs can also be appart of the school but in anime it doesnt seem to be like that (question from Clannad)?
Are there lockerrooms for changing for the gym class?
Where do the students keep their extra stuff such as books when they leave for home? (lockers?)