Formerly Japan's education was something private, because only the rich had access to schools but with the Meiji Era that began to change and today is free and compulsory education from 6 until 15 years of Japanese. 

Education is divided into three steps: 
1° Kindergarten, lasting up to three years. 
2° primary school with six-year 
3° of the first degree lasting three years 
4° of the gymnasium of a high school for three years. 
5° The gymnasium in the 2nd grade for three years with regular courses and vocational education. 
6° University (usually four years). There are also junior universities that offer courses of two or three years. 

An academic year is divided into three periods and runs from April to March: 
1° period (Ichigakki) - Go from April to July. Holiday lasting 30 to 40 days. 
2° period (Nigakki) - going from September to December. Winter holidays lasting about two weeks. 
3° period (Sangakkara) - Go from January to March. Rentals range from late March to early April when the new school year begins. 

A large number of Japanese graduates of gymnasiums and universities and therefore not expensive to study at a Japanese school, you need only pay for materials, transportation, meals for children is sometimes necessary contribution to the PTA (Parents and Teachers Association) the books are donated by the government. 

Teachers are magistrates and pass a language test given by the State Council and attend constant training to always ensure the quality of education. 
There are nine regular subjects in primary school are Japanese: Japanese language, social studies, mathematics, science, environmental studies, music, art and handicrafts, homemaking, and physical education. And the illiteracy rate is about 1%.