What Japanese Public Schools Taught Me About 和 "Wa" Harmony

One of the things I noticed after coming to Japan was how much importance is placed on harmony, 和 (wa). It is not about everyone being exactly the same, but about understanding how your actions affect the people around you.

I am from Singapore, a multicultural society where different backgrounds, opinions, and individual strengths are often celebrated. Growing up, I learned that expressing your own ideas and standing out could be a strength. When I came to Japan, I discovered another perspective. Individuality is still important, but there is also a strong awareness of the group and the role each person plays within it.

I worked as an Assistant Language Teacher in 2020 in the Kanagawa prefecture. I worked in both elementary and junior high school (total of 3 schools). 

「和」is evident in the everyday routines of the students. ​​​​​

E.g. Cleaning time in Japanese public schools

Every day, students clean their own classrooms and school areas. At first, I found it surprising that students were responsible for maintaining the environment they learned in. Over time, I realised it was not only about cleanliness, but also about taking responsibility for a shared space.

Sometimes, I go back and forth between my identity in Singapore and here in Japan. Even after living in Japan for several years, I still find myself moving between these two perspectives. Sometimes I want to express my own ideas immediately, but I also remind myself that, 

I am now part of a different environment with its own values and expectations.

Working in Japanese public schools gave me a unique opportunity to experience this value from the inside. It taught me that cultural differences are not simply about one way being right and another being wrong. Sometimes they reveal another way of seeing the world.