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In liaison with Education International (EI) “Go Public! Fund Education” campaign, the Japan Teachers’ Union (JTU) unveiled a new survey which shows the country's educators are grappling with long working hours, additional extracurricular activities, and no significant improvement in working conditions.

Japan's education crisis: New survey calls for urgent action

JTU Deputy General Secretary Shunichi Yamazaki warns: “If this continues, there is a real and terrible risk that public schools across the country could all go bankrupt at once."

A “terrible risk” for public schools nationwide

The 2024 JTU survey, part of the union’s “School in Crisis” conducted online from mid-July to mid-September 2024, was filled out by members of the union. Despite the survey being released annually since 2014, there has been no significant improvement in the working and living conditions of teachers. Although relevant laws have been amended, the Ministry of Education has yet to implement effective measures.

The survey sheds light on several factors contributing to the long working hours endured by educators. These include a severe teacher shortage and the demands of after-school club activities, which are widespread in Japan.

Both lower and higher secondary schools offer these activities, requiring teachers to participate and enforce rules as managers or coaches. More than 40% of the surveyed teachers expressed a desire to avoid involvement in these extracurricular duties.

“Unacceptable” draft 2025 national budget

JTU reported that, in the ongoing discussions about the national budget for 2025, Japan’s Minister of Education has proposed an increase in the adjustment allowance for public school teachers, raising it from 4% to 13% of their monthly salary, but only for the 2025 budget. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has put forward a more gradual plan, suggesting an increase from 4% to 10% over five years.

For JTU, both proposals unacceptable. The union reiterated the urgent need for more teachers, reduced workloads and substantial amendments or the abolishment of the relevant laws.

It also noted that these proposals are insufficient and calls for immediate and effective measures to ensure the well-being of educators and the quality of education.

For JTU the survey is a call to education authorities in Japan, to fully fund public education, invest in the teaching profession, and engage teachers and education personnel at all levels of decision making.