Japanese Teacher Preparation Reform in an Era of Social Transformation: Retrospect and Prospect

Key words: 
• teacher preparation /
• teacher education /
• Japan /
• education reform /
• era of social transformation

Abstract: Japanese teacher preparation has faced unprecedented challenges and tasks since the 1980s. The rapid change of social structures has presented higher demands on teacher preparation; sustaining of education pathology has severely shaken public trust on schools and teachers. In such a context, it has become a fundamental goal of Japanese teacher preparation reform to upgrade teachers professionalism and regain the public trust on schools and teachers. Japanese teacher preparation reform aiming at such a goal has embodied three characteristics: preparation curriculum with the emphasis on practice, construction of teacher preparation system based on collaboration and partnership, and upgrading of teacher preparation to the graduate level. It can be expected that the basic direction of Japanese teacher preparation reform will not change greatly in the foreseeable future.