In Bunkyo, one of Tokyo’s most prestigious school districts, there are four public elementary schools known for their long history and educational excellence, collectively known as 3S1K, an acronym for Seiyuki Elementary School, Sendagi Elementary School, Showa Elementary School, and Kubocho Elementary School.
These schools have become a craze among new immigrant families in China in recent years, and have even sparked a war of attrition on Chinese social media. However, the ensuing language barriers and cultural differences have also created new challenges for schools and communities. What’s going on here? Today we find out through Japanese media reports.
3S1K The Pearl of Education in Bunkyo Ward
When you think of Bunkyo Ward, many people think of the iconic Red Gate of the University of Tokyo. The 3S1K Elementary School in Bunkyo is even more famous as an educational center in Tokyo. Not only are they known for their high quality of education, but they are also known for their impressive high school transition rates Many of their graduates go on to the top schools in Japan, such as Komaba High School, Nada High School, Kaisei High School, and Sakurain High School, which are affiliated with the University of Tsukuba.
In the past, these schools were the pride of local Japanese families, but today they are attracting an increasing number of new Chinese immigrants. According to the Bunkyo District Board of Education, the number of foreign students in public elementary schools in the district increased from 389 to 467 between 2023 and 2024, an increase of about 20 . In one 3S1K elementary school, foreign students make up 20% of the school’s approximately 900 students, 90% of whom are Chinese children. This trend has become more pronounced in the wake of the epidemic, with many Chinese families choosing to move to the Bunkyo district just to get their children into these prestigious elementary school.
On Little Sweet Potato, a popular Chinese social media platform, Chinese parents in the district are busy during the school season. They show off their children’s passing notices and brag about how they got into famous schools such as Tsukuba, Nada, Kaisei, and Sakurain, in a kind of passing bragging war. There is a Chinese term for this phenomenon, “Climbing,” which means to compare everything, and education is the worst hit, so why are these schools so attractive to Chinese families?
There are endless posts about 3S1K on Little Sweet Potato, some people call these schools famous elementary schools because of the high rate of advancement Some people say that Bunkyo district is the ceiling of Japanese education with the support of the University of the East There are also people who suggest that while the exchange rate of the Japanese yen is low, come to Bunkyo district to buy a house. This information is like a magnet, attracting the attention of Chinese families, and even real estate agents followed the buzz, recommending 3S1K school district housing has become a hot topic.
A Chinese man living in the Bunkyo district described it this way: “Competition epitomizes the society of Dongda. With a large population and few resources, they have been competing since they were young, and now that they have moved to Japan, the habit has followed them. However, there is a deeper expectation behind the trend to give your children a better future.
Underneath the hype, there are also real challenges. A Japanese teacher at 3S1K Elementary School revealed that about 20 of the school’s students barely speak Japanese. These children can’t keep up with the progress in class, and they have trouble communicating with their Japanese classmates. Although the school has arranged for Japanese language instructors to help out, the school has limited resources and sometimes they are unable to cope with the situation. Some Japanese netizens even question whether it is really fair to use taxpayers’ money to teach foreign children Japanese.
Cultural differences also pop up from time to time. For example, at school sports events, some Chinese parents will occupy the front row for a long time, taking pictures of their children’s moments, but forgetting to show them to other parents. This kind of behavior can be a bit confusing for Japanese parents – after all, in Japan, it’s all about joining in and being humble with each other. On one occasion, the scene was almost awkward, and it was only when a Chinese-speaking member of the PTA intervened that we were able to get everyone to take a step back.
These little incidents are not only growing pains of cross-cultural life, but also remind us that integration takes time and understanding.
You may wonder why Chinese parents are so obsessed with getting their children into Japanese schools. Ms. A from Shanghai, who is in her 30s, speaks out. Her daughter is in kindergarten in the Bunkyo district, and she admits that in China, comparison is everywhere. Parents compare their children’s grades, the clothes they wear, the hobby classes they take. After the epidemic, people felt too tired and wanted to find a more relaxing place, so Japan became the first choice.
Ms. A. recalls her own student days, when it was the norm to study 15 hours a day for the entrance exams. The pressure was so great that some students got depressed and some couldn’t eat. I don’t want my daughter to go down this old road. Indeed, the competition for the college entrance exam in China is like a thousand horses crossing a log bridge, and the number of candidates is 20 times that of Japan. In contrast, the pace in Japan is slower and the educational environment is gentler, which is exactly what attracts Chinese families to feel at ease.
Voices of Japanese Parents: Mixed Reviews
Japanese parents have mixed feelings about the arrival of Chinese students. A full-time mother in her 30s says I feel sorry for the children who can’t speak Japanese and are forced into public elementary schools. My daughter has foreign students in her class who can’t keep up with their studies because of the language barrier, and sometimes they cry at the school gate saying they don’t want to go to school, which is heartbreaking to watch.
Another father in his 40s has a different opinion Many Chinese parents are highly educated professionals who place a high value on education. Their kids don’t speak the same language, but they work hard, which is an inspiration to my son. He also mentioned a small incident at the field day when some Chinese parents stood in front and refused to give way. I didn’t understand it at first, but then I thought that they were probably too excited. After all, every parent wants their child to do well.
3S1K Elementary School in Tokyo’s Bunkyo-ku is becoming a small stage for cultural exchange between China and Japan. Chinese families bring new vigor and diversity, as well as a clash of languages and cultures. How to make these differences into bridges of mutual understanding, rather than high walls of separation, is a topic for the future.
As the brand has always emphasized, cross-cultural communication is not only about understanding each other’s customs, but also about getting inside each other’s hearts. Whether it’s Jo Jo in Japan or Climbing in China, behind these traditions and customs is the love and expectation of life. What we see in Bunkyo Ward’s campus is not only competition in education, but also warm stories intertwined by different cultures. We hope that such stories will make you feel more familiar with Japan and more tolerant of cultural diversity.
Related Readings
Buses of wealthy Chinese families appear at the University of Tokyo, behind the Chinese parents targeting Japanese universities
If you like our work, please continue to follow Japan Story, and move your little hand to star us, as well as the bottom right corner of the article in the see!
Customized Tours to Japan Starting a Business Buying a Home Job Studying Abroad Add vx inuyama7
Leave a Reply