Japan. Honouring Heritage in a Modern World

(Seeds of Knowledge — National Identity Series #4)

Few countries embody the dynamic tension between ancient tradition and modern innovation as visibly as Japan. In Japanese schools, national identity is not presented as something frozen in time, rather, it is a living dialogue between history, culture, and contemporary society.

Japan’s approach to fostering national identity offers valuable insights for educators around the world, particularly in contexts where rapid modernisation risks detaching younger generations from their cultural roots.

Here are key aspects of Japan’s model:

1. Daily life as a carrier of identity
Rather than relying on grand ceremonies, Japanese schools subtly embed national identity into daily routines. From removing shoes at the school entrance to serving school lunch in classroom groups, students practise respect, cooperation, and mindfulness, core values of Japanese culture.

2. Teaching history with continuity and reflection
Japanese curricula emphasise historical continuity, students study their country’s history from ancient times to the present. At the same time, there is growing encouragement for critical reflection on difficult periods (such as World War II), helping students develop a mature understanding of national identity that acknowledges complexity.

3. Celebrating both local and national culture
Japan’s regional diversity is celebrated alongside national identity. Schools often explore local dialects, festivals, crafts, and folklore, helping students develop pride in both their immediate community and the nation as a whole.

4. Bridging past and future through cultural literacy
Students learn traditional arts such as calligraphy (shodō), tea ceremony (sadō), poetry (haiku), and martial arts — while also engaging with cutting-edge technology and global cultural exchange. This blend helps Japanese youth see national identity as a bridge, not a boundary, connecting the wisdom of the past to the opportunities of the future.

As Japanese educator Professor Makoto Sato writes:

“Our goal is not to trap young people in the past, but to give them deep cultural roots from which they can grow tall and open to the world.”

In today’s rapidly changing global society, Japan’s example offers a compelling model: an identity that is grounded yet adaptable, proud yet open-minded, traditional yet forward-looking.

In our next article, we will explore another country’s approach, continuing to build a rich global conversation about national identity in education.