Japan's education ministry applied the "chronically absent" term to students who had missed 30 or more days of school each year. In the period from April last year through March 2025, 353,970 students across the country met this definition ― up about 7,500 from the previous year.
About 30 percent of such students said they lacked motivation to attend school. About 25 percent said their body rhythms could not adapt to school time schedules, while 24.3 percent cited their anxiety and depression.
A total of 216,266 junior high students chronically missed school, up about 150 from the previous year. The number of elementary school students who did the same rose about 7,300 to 137,704.
The figure for fifth and sixth graders has roughly quadrupled from those tallied a decade ago, while those for first and second graders climbed about seven-fold.
Coronavirus pandemic impact
Oguri Takahiro is a Professor at Atomi University. He observed that activities at kindergartens and other facilities for children were restricted during the coronavirus pandemic. He suggested this may have affected children's development and their relationships with others, contributing to absenteeism.
Oguri said that if children begin to regularly miss school in the lower grades, their parents sometimes have to quit their jobs due to a lack of childcare options. Therefore, he said providing support to both children and their parents or guardians is vital.
Oguri Takahiro, Professor at Atomi University
Few choose alternative schools
Japanese education ministry officials have expressed concern about the rising numbers of students who are exhausted, anxious, or depressed or who lack the motivation to go to school in the first place.
Education experts point to the huge pressure placed on kids from an early age to excel. Some are expected to attend cram schools and fill their "free" time with club activities or sports ― and more of them are burning out, and withdrawing from education altogether.
Some students stated they would rather seek alternative lifestyles, instead of struggling through the traditional educational path which leads to a career.
Japan's government has been seeking solutions. Since 2004, the ministry has promoted "Diverse Learning Schools," which are organized by skill level and accommodate flexible learning styles with fewer required class hours than standard institutions. Unaccredited schools also provide online options for students who find it difficult to attend in-person classes or activities. But only a small portion of students choose these alternatives.
Expert: New approach needed
Sonoyama Daisuke is a Professor at the University of Osaka. He believes that Japan needs to re-think its entire approach to public education, and suggests looking to other countries as models.
Sonoyama Daisuke, Professor at the University of Osaka
Sonoyama said that France, for example, has established a national distance learning center which enables students to study through correspondence courses. Homeschooling is also permitted if families can ensure a suitable learning environment at home.
"This means that students have the freedom to choose where they learn," he said.
Sonoyama emphasized that any support system for Japan's absentee students must consider their lives after school. Unless they have real pathways leading to eventual future employment, more young people will end up being left behind.
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