Japan calls on primary and secondary school students to trav

Recently, according to a report by Japan Today on the 30th, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology issued a notice to the National Education Commission and primary and secondary schools, calling on schools to avoid peak travel periods when planning study tours. Study tours have a long history in Japan, dating back to the Meiji era and more than 130 years ago. They are an important educational activity that must be carried out by schools at all levels and types of basic education in Japan. As a "compulsory course" in national education, they have unique value in national education, aiming to allow students to personally experience nature, society, history, and culture, while cultivating a sense of teamwork.

However, due to the surge in tourists visiting Japan, there is a severe shortage of manpower in the transportation and accommodation industries. Especially during the periods of May June and September December when schools concentrate on arranging study trips, travel arrangements become particularly difficult. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology stated that arranging study tours during the off-season can reduce itinerary changes due to unforeseen circumstances, which is beneficial for schools. Although the implementation time of study tours is freely determined by the school, usually planned about two years before implementation, the relevant officials of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology still hope that the school can flexibly adjust.

This notice not only applies to study tours, but also covers off campus activities such as hiking, visiting social classes, and mobile classrooms. Due to the request for cooperation from the bus and travel industries, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology issued a notice on December 12th, stating that the shortage of manpower has led to difficulties in chartering and arranging accommodation, and calling on schools to flexibly arrange activity times.

According to a survey conducted by the Japan School Travel Association, in the 2023 fiscal year, middle school students prefer to travel in May, while high school students prefer October. Schools usually determine travel times based on annual teaching schedules and weather conditions, with popular destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Okinawa. In addition to school trips, Japan's peak tourist season includes cherry blossom season (late March to early April), yellow leaf season (late October to early November), summer (June to August), and New Year's holiday (year-end to New Year's Day). During these periods, there are numerous tourists visiting Japan and tourism resources are scarce.

If this appeal can be responded to by schools, it can not only alleviate the pressure during peak tourism periods, but also allow students to complete their study trips in a more comfortable environment and gain a better educational experience. We will wait and see how the school will adjust in the future.