In Japan, the gender gap in attendance at 4-year universities is narrowing, yet significantly fewer women apply to selective colleges. A growing body of literature suggests that gendered expectations of educational returns and cultural stereotypes, most compellingly reflected in parental influence, are pivotal in shaping children's college…

Cultural comparisons suggest that an understanding of other minds may develop sooner in independent versus interdependent settings, and vice versa for inhibitory control. From a western lens, this pattern might be considered paradoxical, since there is a robust positive relationship between theory of mind (ToM) and inhibitory control in western…

Although robots' social behaviors are known for their capacity to facilitate learner-robot interaction for language learning, their application and effect have not been adequately explored. This study reviewed 59 empirical articles to examine the contexts and application of various social behaviors of robots for language learning, and conducted a…

This study investigated international partnership held by Japanese universities focusing on their student exchange reciprocity shown in tuition fees and institutional stratification. Using data in academic year 2017, we found that there were 26,747 agreements in Japan as a whole, with Asia accounting for about half, followed by Europe and North…

Adapting to rapid globalization, Japan struggles to change its education from enforcing conformity to enhancing autonomy. To find solutions, the author interviewed Japanese global professionals (GPs) who daringly worked abroad and developed autonomous self-regulation when others still believed in naturally following the tradition of lifetime…

This study focuses on "ibasho" in Japan in the sense of free spaces for people with a history of hikikomori (social withdrawal) who have trouble in finding employment. The paper reviews previous literature on "ibasho," and attempts to clarify the role that "ibasho" are expected to play in supporting these people. As a…

This article examines emotionally challenging expectations in the relationships beginning teachers have with students' parents. The data consist of narrative interviews with 17 Japanese beginning teachers. Due to strong cultural and social norms prescribing appropriate social interactions, Japanese teachers have little leeway in negotiating…

During teacher-centred classroom interaction, teachers often fail to solicit volunteer turn-takers. Even if students display their unwillingness to take a turn at the moment, teachers sometimes have no choice but to allocate them the turn, to move forward with the ongoing pedagogical activity. In such a moment, there can be a conflict between the…