Compared to the Meiji period, the Heisei period schools are very organized and also have radically changed since then. A certain number of hour each year are focused on the following: Japanese language, social studies, mathematics, science, music, fine arts, heath and physical education, moral education, and industrial arts or homemaking (one for boys and one for girls). Also most middle schools begin to teach a foreign language, usually English, or sometimes German or French. Most students do an after school club is such as, soccer, band, tennis, etc.

With such a busy schedule it causes a lot of stress for the students. There is a lot of pressure put on them, not only by their parents but also by their teachers and the rest of the community. The good thing about this is that with all the work there is no time for negative activites such as drugs. I believe that too much is expected of these students, and that they should be allowed to have some social life.  Although this seems to be working for Japan, their economy is may not be rich but the people of Japan are doing well.