We have undertaken the study of the "Japanese Education System". Is the system we have now providing the tools for the future for Japan.

For many years the Japanese educational system has been envied by many countries around the world. Japan has an nearly 100% literacy rate. This is even true for students who only finish Junior high school. Yet, there are some disturbing questions that keep coming up.

During the period of Japanese economic strength, manufacturing, making things was very important. The educational system that trained students to follow directions and "put all the parts together" worked efficiently in that type of an economic environment. However, the new wave, Information age, has come up, and it may call for a different type of education, one more based on creative thinking and initiative as opposed to the more passive education of the past. This paper will discuss some of the following problems brought about from the idea of the future education in Japan and will try and give, if possible, some suggestions.

1. The Japanese universities do not seem to have a strong research system of graduate schools such as US. and Australia.
2. Under the circumstances of having too many students in the same classroom, it does no good (or a little) when trying to flourish each students' strength in any field.
3. Tests in Japanese elementary, junior high, and high school had a tendency to be multiple-choice type. We believe the situation now does not develop children's ability to express themselves
4. The Japanese government has made a series of proposal to change the educational system. The purpose is to improve the environment in order to enhance children's attitude toward study.
5. Schools in the US. are widely open to foreign students. On the other hand, schools in Japan are mostly closed or open only for a small number of foreign students. We will compare the differences of the educational system between these countries.

In conclusion, it is necessary to reconsider the previous educational system in order to correspond to the global change. However, it doesn't mean the Japanese Educational System that we have now is completely bad, but there is a need for certain changes. It will lead the whole society to get ready for the next generation if the government and the people corporate together.

Grammatical corrections and comments

Suggested Correction	Short grammatical or logical explanation
We have undertaken the study of the "Japanese Education System". Is the system we have now providing the tools for the future for Japan. For many years the Japanese educational system has been envied by many countries around the world. Japan has a nearly 100% literacy rate. This is even true for students who only finish Junior high school. Yet, there are some disturbing questions that keep coming up.	** Before a consonant in English, you should use the indefinite article "a nearly 100%..." and not "an".
During the period of Japanese economic strength, manufacturing (the making of things) was very important. The educational system that trained students to follow directions and "put all the parts together" worked efficiently in that type of an economic environment. However, a new wave, the so-called "Information age", has appeared which may call for a different type of education, one more based on creative thinking and initiative as opposed to the more passive education of the past. This paper will discuss some of the following problems brought about by the "new wave" that may effect future education in Japan and will try and give, if possible, some suggestions.	**(the making of things) should be a parenthetical phrase since you are only defining in simpler terms the word "manufacturing". **"a new wave" should use the indefinite article since this wave (e.g. Information Age) is really not clearly definable as a definite thing, is it? ** "appeared which" is clearer than "has come up and it" because everything after "may call...." is referring to the subject of "new wave". ..and is really a long relative clause. If you do not want to use a relative clause, it is possible to separate the sentences into 2 sentences as the following shows: "However, a new wave, the so-called "Information age" has appeared. This new wave may call ......" If you are not sure about relative clauses, it is better to make 2 sentences than to connect them with "and" since both sentences state 2 separate, though related, complete ideas. **"by the "new wave" that may effect" is clear and, I believe, this is what you mean. Your original sentence did not make sense: "from the idea of the future education.." does not make sense; although I believe I understand your meaning. The new sentence keeps your meaning, I believe, but if it doesn't please let me know by e-mail.
Japanese universities do not seem to have a strong research system of graduate schools such as US. and Australia. If there are too many students in the same classroom, it does no good (or a little) when trying to increase each students' individual strength. Tests in Japanese elementary, junior high, and high schools have a tendency to be of the multiple-choice type. We believe the situation now does not develop a children's ability to express themselves. The Japanese government has made a series of proposals to change the educational system. The purpose is to improve the environment in order to enhance children's attitude toward study. Schools in the U.S. are widely open to foreign students. On the other hand, schools in Japan are mostly closed or open only for a small number of foreign students. We will compare the differences between their educational systems.	**"Japanese Universities" is plural and doesn't require "the" ** "If there are" is simpler and clearer than "Under the circumstances that...".."increase" is a better word than the somewhat old-fashioned word "flourish" (although I liked your choice of "flourish", it really sounds somewhat Biblical, as in Genesis God said "Increase and Flourish"..."individual strength" is simpler than " each students strength in any field". Simpler is almost always better than complex. ** "elementary.....high schools" is plural, so you need the "s" on schools. You said these tests "had" a tendency to be multiple-choice, but I believe you mean "have"...present tense. .. You need "of the" to show a prepositional phrase and because "multiple-choice type" is used as a definite thing..therefore, you need "the"..."children's ability" is an indefinite concept, so you need "a" as you are referring to "all children". If you are talking about a particular student (e.g. Sato-san), you could say "the child's ability" as "ability" refers to a particular-definite child "Sato-san". ** "proposals" is plural since it refers to "series" ** "U.S." requires periods..." differences between their educational systems " is much clearer than "the differences of the educational system between these countries." In the corrected version, you can use the term "their" because it is clear in the preceding sentences that you are only referring to the U.S. and Japan educational systems. And educational systems is plural.
In conclusion, it is necessary to reconsider the previous and current educational system in order to correspond to the global change. However, it doesn't mean the Japanese Educational System that we have now is completely bad, but there may be a need for certain changes. If the people and the government cooperate together, they can lead the entire society towards the next generation.	"previous and current..." is necessary since you want the reader to understand that you are, also, talking about the current educational system. ** "may be a need" is better than "is a need" since you haven't yet decided what changes might be needed. After you have decided what needs to be changed, you can say with more confidence, what you believe "must change". ** The most important part of this sentence is "the people and the government cooperating together". If this happens then "they can lead the entire society towards the next generation (or "future"). It is preferable to state the main point first in a more active sentence. This is especially true in a last sentence.

The following questions and comments should help you to continue and complete your report. If you wish to discuss any of these questions with the instructor, please contact him by e-mail. In addition to the questions listed here, you can, of course, think of your questions to complete you work.

If you use an article from a magazine, newspaper or online (Internet) source, you need to identify where that source came from. We will talk more about "sources of information" in class meetings.

Why have the Japanese universities, historically, had very weak and/or small graduate departments? Was this a problem in the past? It has been said that the Japanese universities trained "generalists" who became loyal company employees. Then, the company would train the employee for the company. Was that true and is it still true?

Universities and colleges are under "budgetary constraints"...this means they don't have a lot of money; therefore, they try and place as many students as possible in a classroom. Most classes, of this type, are usually lecture classes, or, in the case, of beginning computer classes, "hands-on classes". It is very difficult to meet the instructor and receive personal help from the instructor or to find out who the "smart students" are in the class. Do you think "remote-distance" education, using computers and technology can present "quality" classes to a large number of students in a more efficient and personal way? What other alternatives do you see?

If the Junior high schools and high schools do not teach creativity, as you state, but give multiple-choice tests, how, then, can creative teaching and creative learning be introduced? Why were multiple-choice and true and false tests introduced in the first place? Aren't they somewhat democratic?

You said the Japanese government (e.g. Mombusho) has introduced some proposals to improve the educational system. You need to identify these proposals. What official Japanese government publication states these proposals. The reader can't only take "your word for it". Have any of these proposals been officially endorsed by the government? What are the main points of these proposals? Do you think these proposals are realistic? What is the opinion of the Japanese "teachers union" towards these proposals? Has Gakushuin University followed these proposals?

As a percentage of the total university student population (2year and 4year schools), how many and what percentage of foreign students are in attendance? How many "foreign students" are in attendance at Gakushuin University? Is there an "international center" at Gakushuin University? What regular Japanese universities have large numbers of foreign students? Are these foreign students taught in English, Japanese or in another language?

On a personal note, how many "foreign students" have you known in Japan...from pre-school (Yojin) through your current university days? And a subjective question: "Are you comfortable around foreigners..what about your family and friends?"

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