What if the secret to a well-ordered society starts in primary school? In this episode, we explore Japan’s unique approach to education, where the goal isn’t just academic excellence—it’s hito-zukuri, the art of character building. From students cleaning their own classrooms to serving lunch and navigating school life with remarkable independence, Japan’s system shapes responsibility, cooperation, and social harmony from an early age. It’s a model so admired that countries from Singapore to Egypt are trying to copy it. But beneath the discipline and high achievement lie harder truths: conformity can stifle creativity, excessive rules can overwhelm kids who don’t fit the mold, and mental-health pressures are rising. For many parents, the question becomes: how do you balance order with individuality? And what do we lose—or gain—when a school system molds not just minds, but character?

https://www.economist.com/christmas-specials/2024/12/19/why-do-small-children-in-japan-ride-the-subway-alone