Kids from Japan

• Location: East Asia
School:
• Schools in Japan are very competitive, and the pressure to score well begins early. Even preschoolers may attend “cram schools” to prepare for exams.
• The Japanese school year typically begins in April and lasts until March. There is a summer break of about six weeks, but kids have homework during that time.
Play:
• Comic books have been popular in Japan since the 1700s. Comics now account for about 40% of all published material in Japan.
• Kite-flying is enjoyed by people of every age. Each year Japan hosts numerous kite festivals that feature giant, spectacular handmade kites.
Family:
• Homes in Japan are small—on average, less than 1,000 square feet (compared with 2,400 in the U.S.). The typical family of four lives in five small rooms.
• Most fathers in Japan work long hours. As a result, some kids only see their fathers on weekends or holidays
Favorite food:
• Fish! Fish may be eaten at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. On average, each person in Japan eats about 68 kg (150 lbs) of fish a year.
• Did you know? Japan is an island country. It consists of four main islands—Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu > and about 3,000 smaller ones.

For more information, go to the Fact Monster page about Japan.