Concise answers to the most common questions about cultural and educational differences between Japan and Europe.
The Japanese system places a strong emphasis on collective discipline, respect for teachers, and standardized national exams. In contrast, many European systems promote more individual critical thinking and flexibility in curriculum choice. Both approaches have specific advantages, analyzed in detail in our articles.
Tatemae refers to public behavior and social expectations, while honne represents true feelings and opinions. This duality is fundamental to social and business interactions in Japan, offering an interesting contrast to the perceived directness often found in European cultures. We explore this topic in our comparative studies.
Rituals such as the semester opening ceremony, school cleaning performed by students (sōji), and extracurricular clubs (bukatsu) play a crucial role in character building and community spirit. These are often central points of analysis in our comparative education research.
Our materials are designed for students, teachers, and researchers interested in comparative social and cultural studies. The content is presented in an analytical and objective manner, offering valuable resources for a deep understanding of the two cultures.
All our articles and analyses are publicly available on the site. For topic suggestions or academic collaborations, please contact us via the contact page or at the email address: contact@jsinternationaljapan.com.
The JS International journey – from a simple curiosity to a dedicated platform for a deep understanding of Japanese culture and education.
The project was born from the founder's passion for Japanese culture and the observation of fundamental differences in the approach to education and social life compared to Europe. The initial research was published on a personal blog.
We officially established the jsinternationaljapan.com platform. We published the first comprehensive study comparing the middle school education system in Japan with that in Romania, attracting the attention of the first educators and researchers.
We diversified the content, addressing topics such as business etiquette, seasonal traditions, and the "ikigai" philosophy. We began collaborations with teachers and specialists from both regions, strengthening the objectivity of our analyses.
Today, JS International is an established resource for students, university attendees, and professionals interested in a nuanced understanding of Japanese society. We maintain our mission to provide analytical, accessible, and unbiased content, building a bridge of knowledge between cultures.
Continue exploring with us. Learn more about the team.
We are a platform dedicated to the deep exploration of Japanese culture and the educational system, through the comparative lens of the European one. Our mission is to provide objective and detailed analyses that illuminate the fundamental differences and similarities.
Through our articles, we aim to build a bridge of understanding between worlds, serving as a trusted resource for students, teachers, and researchers passionate about social and cultural studies.
Objectivity, accuracy, and respect for both analyzed cultures. We believe in the power of knowledge to overcome prejudices.
Our approach is analytical; we do not promote paid courses or services. We are a source of pure information, accessible to all.
JS International was born from the founders' passion for comparative studies and the desire to share knowledge about the complexity and beauty of Japanese society.