2016 Volume 2016 Issue 26 Pages 121-128
The purpose of this paper is to redefine the vocational education in Japan based on the discussion in recent years. This paper follows the evolution of vocational education in Japan from the time of modernization and on. Furthermore, based on cases from Northern Europe, Western Europe, and Asian countries represented by China, the study identifies the importance of improving the distinction between “general education” and “vocational education” as they differ in contemporary Japan. In addition, a strategy for solving this problem addresses the necessity to build a system that enables students and their parents to select various career paths based not only on high school education but also on the cooperation between high schools and universities.
