Education School absenteeism hits record high but pace of increase slows

[thomas]

Japan is continuing to struggle with worsening school absenteeism, as new data from the education ministry shows record numbers of children missing classes. The issue has persisted for more than a decade, though recent measures to tackle it have begun to produce slight but noticeable improvements. According to the ministry's most recent survey, 353,970 elementary and junior high school students were reported as chronically absent during fiscal 2024 — defined as missing 30 or more school days for reasons other than illness or economic hardship. This figure is the highest on record and marks the twelfth straight year of increase.

However, the pace of growth has slowed significantly, with a 2.2 percent rise from the previous year—a notable drop compared to the 15.9 percent surge in fiscal 2023. Officials interpret this slowdown as a sign that intervention measures may be starting to take effect. The breakdown of the data reveals that absenteeism among elementary school students rose by 5.6 percent to nearly 138,000, while the increase among junior high students was marginal, reaching approximately 216,000. Overall, 3.9 percent of all elementary and junior high students were chronically absent. In contrast, high school absenteeism declined slightly, affecting roughly 68,000 students. The ministry attributes part of the long-term rise in absenteeism to changing societal attitudes, particularly following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Legislation introduced in 2016 emphasized the importance of rest and alternative learning environments for children. Pandemic-era school closures further normalized the idea that attending school should not be compulsory. Meanwhile, the number of newly identified absentees dropped for the first time in nine years, falling by over 11,000 to approximately 153,000.

To tackle the problem, education authorities have widened access to alternative learning environments within schools and increased the presence of counsellors and other support specialists. They have also encouraged a more collaborative system in which teachers receive support from school staff and external experts, while parents receive consultation and guidance services. In recent years, students who meet specific requirements have been allowed to count certain off-campus study activities toward their attendance. During fiscal 2024, this arrangement was applied to more than 56,000 chronically absent students.

Record-high absenteeism in schools offset by slowed growth | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis