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How much math do Japanese children study in elementary level?

By on December 10, 2015

When it comes to OECD numeracy tests, Japan ranks among the top 5 smartest countries in the world. That’s because children are exposed early to advanced math content.

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“Students experience rigid math training in elementary grades. Many children in our school actually struggle with math,” Tomoko Morita, a math teacher at Hiratsuka Kaneda Private Elementary School informs Tokyo families.

“The area of difficulty experienced by Japanese children in math varies according to the grade level. For example, there are first graders at the school who find subtraction difficult when faced with unfamiliar numbers in a math equation.”

“From 2nd grade, math drills progress to bigger numbers so some children have a hard time catching up. But it’s in the 2nd grade level that we teachers try to make sure everyone gets the formulas right. Early mastery will prepare them for an even more complex 3rd and 4th grade math where they will be dealing with large numbers, measurements, angles, fractions, etc.,” explains Morita.

Compulsory Study hours per year (Japanese Elementary grade)

 Grade Level                 Math         Science 
Grade 1                       175 
Grade 2                       175 
Grade 3                       175            90 
Grade 4                       175           105 
Grade 5                       175           105 
Grade 6                       175           105
Average rate of students who pass in math 
 Elementary grades          90%
 Middle School              70%
 High School                60%

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