There is nothing wrong with Japanese schools. I think most foreigners simply send their kids to international schools for temporary convenience. I have also observed that there is a significant cultural and liguistic advantage in sending your children in international schools. I have Japanese high school friends, some from international schools and some from Japanese schools. My friends from international schools speak far better English and have a better understanding of foreign cultures than my friends from Japanese schools. Because of that, if I were a foreigner living in Japan, I would most definitely send my children to international schools. Discrimination is also a serious issue in Japanese schools and should be considered.

So, say if me and my future wife decided to expatriate to Japan for a few years and send our kids to the public schools there. (I'm white, and my wife may or may not be white. For the sake of the conversation, assume she will be white.) What sort of discrimination do you expect they would face?

I think Japanese don't discriminate against whites as they do against some Asians. I think they respect Americans, but some adults who still have memories of the World War don't support that.

Ah OK. That's good to know. If I ever move to Japan, I'm going to respect them by learning their language, etc. After all, when in Rome, act as Romans do.

What is it like in a Japanese school? You do have to wear uniforms, from what I understand. Guys usually wear very plain clothes, while girls usually wear those sailor uniforms (that are so hot!). I understand that in some districts girls don't though.

In Japan, every student has to wear uniform. Yea, sailor uniform is very popular in Japan, but I still prefer the vest uniform.

Well, if I'm in Japan, or any other countries, I won't necessarily copy their styles and act like them exactly. It'd make me look like a fool.

I wouldn't pretend to be one of them. I would however not act overly American over there. When I eat, I'll eat with chop sticks, etc. I'll bow to people I meet. You know, that sort of thing.

Yes, it's an etiquette

About Japanese schools, I haven't REALLY visited any. All I knew were from readings and friends. In lots of manga, I found that although schools in Japan are very disciplined, there are still student gangsters, turbulence (esp. boy students).

I figured the same. I remember hearing the case of an 11-year old girl slashing the neck of a 10-year old girl, killing her. That was really messed up. Perhaps Japan is heading toward some serious social problems in the next couple decades? What is causing problems like this to happen in its schools?

I'm from Malaysia in South East Asia so I guess I must be one of the "discriminated ones".
I really hate discrimination and I heard that the Japanese actually discriminate some of the minority groups of their own race. I really love Japanese anime and manga but if that's their attitude, then I probably won't live there.

I heard from the news sometime ago that there are Japanese schools here in the United States but they only admit Japanese born students. And since they are not federally funded by the US government (or something like that) they have a right to be strict about who they can admit. What do you think?

I cant elieve Japan would be like that!!! Im reading a history book in ELA about the past of Japan and America, and I heard they were really strict. They wouldnt let foreigners come in, they wouldnt let natives go out, they werentaloud to have possession of foreign objects, and that if anyone came ear their land, then theyd attack. It's really all crazy, I'd say. I guess the Japanese kids are more influenced by the past than learning on not to do it eer again... thats what history is taught for, anyways. (Though I really hate American History... )