Comparative Study of Environmental Education Systems in Elementary Schools in China and Japan

Abstract

This study undertakes a comparative analysis of the environmental education system in elementary schools in China and Japan. We first compared the elementary school system, including school years, subjects and teaching hours of both countries. We found that Japan and China’s elementary education systems share essential subjects such as Language, Mathematics, Science, and Moral Education, and both lack a subject of environment. The second section examines the national environmental education policies. Japan's environmental education policies are systematic and consistent, integrated into the curriculum since 1998, with continuous improvements for sustainability. China has rapidly advanced its environmental education since 2003. Finally, we compared both countries' national environmental education guidelines and found that they have similar objectives but different teaching approaches. China treats environmental education as part of school education, focusing on shaping students' mindsets. Japan, however, emphasizes practical learning in each subject to prepare students for contributing to future environmental sustainability. The detailed information about both countries’ environmental education systems in this paper may also help other countries improve their systems.

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Author Information
Mao Yuying, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan
Li Yan, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan