The 2018–2022 Reform of High School History. Education in the Context of Contemporary Japanese Education Policy
https://doi.org/10.55105/2687-1440-2025-54-58-78
Abstract
One of the fundamental challenges in teaching history lies in the necessity for students to absorb a vast amount of factual information that is often disconnected from their personal experiences. To explore how this issue is addressed within the Japanese educational system, the study focuses on the 2018 high school curriculum reform. This reform merged Japanese History and World History into a single compulsory subject, “General History,” fundamentally transforming the structure of high school history education that had been in place since 1989. The current study aims to identify the trends in Japan’s education policy that underlie this reform. Based on the analysis of policy documents, expert commentaries, educational standards, and textbooks, the study outlines the methodological and curricular features of the reform, as well as its continuity with previous policy initiatives. The findings suggest a consistent policy trajectory focused on increasing interactivity and global perspectives in education. The paper also highlights both the potential benefits and risks of the reform in addressing pressing issues of Japanese history education.
Supporting agencies: I am expressing my sincere gratitude to Dr. Julian Biontino and the entire staff of Chiba University for the opportunity to take a special course on the 2018 reform, which inspired me to conduct this research. I would like to express special thanks to N.N. Kim for providing me with thoughtful feedback at all stages of the work. My close tovarishch, David Nikolaishin-Shishchuk, as well as my spouse and comrade, Binari Nicole Jayamaha, made a significant contribution to the study.
About the Author
I. A. Tyulenev
IoE, HSE University
Россия
Россия
Tyulenev Ivan A., Student of the “Evidence-based Education Development” MA Programme
16(10), Potapovskiy pereulok, Moscow, 101000
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Review
For citations:
Tyulenev I.A. The 2018–2022 Reform of High School History. Education in the Context of Contemporary Japanese Education Policy. Yearbook Japan. 2025;54:58-78. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.55105/2687-1440-2025-54-58-78
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