Tokyo Jogakkan Schools for Women (TJK) were established in 1888 by a group of national leaders who aspired to educate Japanese women to realize their potential and become equal partners with women in the world. For over 110 years since, TJK schools have continued to offer the best education to women
in Japan and established a reputation as one of the leading private institutions
dedicated to women's education. Yet the fundamental purpose of the founders
remains largely unfulfilled to this day. For women were continuously placed
in the position of supporting men and therefore were deprived of the opportunity
to pursue their own goals.
Postwar Japan was restructured to promote human rights, with equality
of men and women guaranteed by the new constitution. But the country was
immediately engaged in a single-minded pursuit of postwar reconstruction
aimed at achieving a rapid economic development. Largely planned and implemented
by men, this national endeavor tended to relegate women to supporting roles,
again limiting their opportunities.
However, Japan's recent social and economic transformation, coupled with
its internationalization and the globalization of the economy, opened the
way for women to play more active roles in Japan as well as in the international
community. Given this unprecedented opportunity, TJK will launch the initiative
to develop an integrated educational program to enhance the role of women
from the elementary through university level by which the founders' goals
may be accomplished in the 21st century.
1. Japan's Identity in Global Context
In order for Japanese women to participate actively in the international
community, it is essential for them to understand Japan's evolving place
in the world, its growing economic power and leadership responsibilities
and the way its culture, nurtured during a millennium of its history, may
contribute to the progress of humanity in the 21st century. Further, Japan's
internationalization requires women to develop appreciation of other cultures and peoples with whom they interact. TJK will strive to promote its students' understanding of the evolution and substance of Japanese traditional culture to develop an ability to articulate its values to the outside world as well as to recognize the values of other cultures. |
| at hiro-o campus |
ground |
auditorium |
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2. Role of Women
Although it is often said that the 21st century will become a golden
age for women, this vision has not yet been clearly delineated. Each country
is redefining and reinventing what women's roles will be in the context
of its own traditions. There is little doubt that, in this age of increasing
globalization, women will begin to assume more prominent positions and
greater responsibilities in society. TJK will promote teaching, research,
and study to enhance the potential of women by developing a comprehensive,
consistent and innovative course of study from the compulsory to higher
education level, by which the aspirations of young women will be realized. |
| at hiro-o campus |
manners room |
passage for primary school |
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3. Leadership Development
Women's leadership potential has been seriously limited as a result
of complex economic, political, and social circumstances, even in the wake
of postwar economic successes. Women, who constitute half of the population,
have not been fully included in the ranks of the nation's decision-making
processes, even though they have played important roles in Japan's evolving
prosperity. With women's leadership development as its central mission,
TJK aspires to be at the forefront of an endeavor to promote leadership development and empowerment of women. This goal will be achieved in the comprehensive
curriculum and extracurricular activities of the elementary, middle, and
high schools, and the college, each of which will provide leadership skills
and experience through not only academic study, but also internships, action
projects, and programs overseas. |
| at hiro-o campus |
cafeteria
(middle school and high school) |
primary school |
library
(middle school and high school) |
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4. Bilingual Competence
Mastery of English is essential to women who are increasingly involved
in the global community. It is no secret that ever since the Meiji era,
Japan's English language education has been fraught with serious problems.
TJK plans to introduce a state of the art English language curriculum.
This language curriculum, beginning with elementary school through college,
includes a semester or year of study abroad at top schools for girls and women in combination with internship opportunities
that will enable them to learn from and work with women-leader mentors
in various agencies in the public and non-profit sectors in and outside
of Japan. This curriculum will contribute to the realization of the founders'
goals of educating women to play prominent roles in the international community.
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| at hiro-o campus |
entrance of auditorium |
entrance hall
(middle school and high school) |
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5. Creating a New Future for Women
Japanese have worked hard and greatly sacrificed themselves since
Meiji to modernize the nation and expand its power and interests. However,
the nation has neglected the fact that women were seriously deprived of
their rights and opportunities in life. This caused immeasurable harm to
society, constituting a variety of obstacles against women. TJK will take
an active role in examining the roots and results of long-standing disenfranchisement
of women in Japan; moreover, it will be TJK's mission to redress gender
inequality and strive to create a society where in every sphere men and
women can be equal partners. |
at minami-machida
campus |
college |
quadrille |
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