Diversity and Equity in Japanese Education

Abstract

This chapter explores diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) research as it applies to education in Japan with the goal of raising awareness of opportunities for expanding education paradigms to better recognize the diverse needs of Japanese students. Starting from the grassroots perspective of tertiary English language education, this exploration is supported by a small pilot survey study that was given to students at two Japanese universities in the 2021 school year. The survey investigates students' learning styles and preferences with regard to their experiences in English verbal communication courses. The primary takeaway from these limited data remains widely unrecognized in the context of Japan's one-size-fits-all education system. While students' learning habits and expectations are internalized at an early age and rarely challenged, when given the opportunity to express themselves, the majority of students display a desire for collaborative and supportive learning environments which caters toward them as individuals.