Question: Why are cram schools - which intensively prepare youngsters for prestigious junior high schools' entrance exams - flourishing again, even though there are fewer children in Japan and parents are still suffering economic malaise?
Answer: Because of Japan's new education policy which promotes a 'lighter' curriculum for students aged six to 15.
Many education experts point to this paradox to explain the upturn of the cram-school industry.
Last year, Japan implemented its new yutori (more relaxed) education policy, which aims to shift the emphasis from heavy workloads and competition to creativity and a less strict approach.
The curriculum was deregulated, the minimum academic requirements were reduced by 30 per cent at primary and junior high schools, and the school week was reduced from 5 1/2 to five days. The reform was implemented to avoid 'exam hell' and promote creativity and student initiatives.
For example, under the new guidelines, children are allowed to use calculators, rather than having to do four-digit sums in their head. And the number of Chinese characters or English words that have to be memorised has been drastically cut at each stage.
Rather unexpectedly, the reforms stirred national debate over the academic competence of Japan's children. Critics claimed the government was letting standards go down the drain.