What’s wrong with sex education in Japan?

The problem with sex education in Japanese schools is that it’s often lacking real information that students can learn from. In one particular textbook, for example, the sections about body development feature characters that are fully clothed, without any details about how parts of the body change. Many sex education programs also feature little to no facts about how reproduction works.

It’s impossible to teach a subject while avoiding it at the same time. Japan’s approach is in contrast to sexual education in other countries, which don’t shy away from the biological details of reproduction, teaching them in greater detail. Not only do some Japanese textbooks lack such information, Japanese sex education often doesn’t feature lessons on things like gender equality and relationships. These are all topics that UNESCO’s International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education covers. Many countries use this guide as a standard for their programs.

Japanese schools weren’t always so reluctant to discuss the realities of sex. However, in 2003 a special needs school went beyond the national curriculum and taught its sex education program with dolls and songs. This incident led to disciplinary action from the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education. In 2013 the case went all the way to Japan’s Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the school.

The effects of this case can be felt to this day, however. The BoE revised its sex education handbook to emphasize a very gradual approach to the topic, which may not cover critical information that students can benefit from. Tokyo schools are still occasionally criticized when they go beyond the standard curriculum.

Students realize that sex education programs are lacking too. An online survey aimed at Japanese teenagers showed that 40% of them were dissatisfied with the sexual education they received.

There is also at least one organization that sets out to fill in the gaps in school curriculum. Pilcon is a nonprofit that offers sex education services to students and their parents. Their Youtube channel also features short cartoons explaining everything from proper contraception usage to gender identity.

Some people push back against sex education because they fear it might encourage students to engage in sexual activity. This is understandable, though it’s arguably misguided.

Sex education is not about encouraging anything. It’s about giving students the tools they need to navigate a difficult and sensitive time of their lives. Not having this knowledge means they don’t understand the changes they’re experiencing. It also means that they have no idea what’s appropriate or not in sexual relationships. If sex education in schools is lacking, then students are also susceptible to outside sources and influences that may not be reputable, or even have damaging effects on how they view sexuality.

Pilcon’s efforts are commendable, but sex education shouldn’t necessarily be the responsibility of an outside organization. Overall attitudes about the topic in Japan need to change. While we can empathize with those worried about students engaging in sexual activity, ignoring or downplaying something doesn’t make it go away. In fact, it often makes things worse. Being more open about the realities of sex can help students make the right choices in their youth and the rest of their lives.