I was curious what the Ministry of Education’s webpage had to say about their approach to moral education and thought you might be too.
“The goal of Morality education” it says, “is to nurture morality in emotions, judgment, motivation and actions. Based on this goal, in close relationship with each subject class, foreign language activity, general, and special activities, this curriculum is intended to augment, deepen and integrate the values of integrity by systematic and developmental guidance, and encourage self-awareness of morality and deepen the student’s idea of his/her own life, and nurture practical skills of morality within him- or her-self.”
Here is the 2018 Japanese elementary school standardized curriculum for moral education:
1-2nd grades
I. Relationship with self
a. Take good care of your own health, safety, belongings and money by organizing your belongings, not being selfish, and leading a well-regulated life.
b. Study and work hard.
c. Know what is good and what is not. Act based on what is good.
d. Do not lie or cheat. Live a humble, but energetic life.
II. Relationship with others
a. Interact with others positively using pleasant greetings, words and actions.
b. Be kind to the young and seniors warmheartedly.
c. Be appreciative of people who take care of you in everyday life.
III. Relationship with nature and the supernatural
a. Be joyful to be alive and have a mindset to cherish life
b. Get to know nature around and interact with animal- and plant-life kindly.
IV. Relationship with groups and society
a. Keep promises, follow rules and take good care of things that everyone (in a group) uses.
b. Feel good about working and work for the sake of everyone (in a community).
c. Respect parents and grandparents. Find joy in being helpful in the family.
d. Respect teachers and be friendly with people at school to make life in the classroom and school enjoyable.
e. Be familiar with the local culture and life and learn to love it.
3-4th grades
I. Relationship with self
a. Take care of things as much as you can on your own. Think before you act and live an orderly life.
b. Once you decide to do something, be persistent and complete it.
c. If you find something is the right thing to do, do it with courage.
d. Admit your mistakes genuinely and live an honest, positive, and energetic life.
e. Know your own character and nurture your good characteristics.
II. Relationship with others
a. Know the importance of good manners and interact with others with genuine heart.
b. Be considerate of others and be genuinely kind.
c. Understand and be understood, trust and be trusted, and help and be helped.
d. Be respectful in interactions with those who work to support lives and elders
III. Relationship with nature and supernatural (or Divine)
a. Feel the preciousness of life and take good care of living things.
b. Be moved by the magnificence and mystery of nature and take good care of all nature, animals and plant life.
c. Let your heart feel and be moved by beauty and spiritual purity
IV. Relationship with groups and society
a. Keep promises, follow society’s rules, and be moral.
b. Learn the importance of work and be willing to work for the sake of everyone (in a community)
c. Respect and love your parents and grandparents. Create an enjoyable home life by cooperating with each other.
d. Respect and love teachers and people at school. Create an enjoyable school life by cooperating with each other.
e. Take good care of local tradition and culture, and learn to love your hometown.
f. Be familiar with your country's tradition and culture. Learn to love your country as well as to be curious about people in foreign countries and their cultures.
5-6th grades
I. Relationship with self
a. Learn the importance of daily routines and reflect it in your lifestyle. Be moderate and temperate.
b. Set a high goal with hope and courage and be persistent.
c. Cherish your freedom and take responsive autonomous action.
d. Cherish the truth, seek innovation, and improve your life creatively.
e. Know your own characteristics. Diligently correct what is bad and grow what is good.
II. Relationship with others
a. Consider time, place and occasion; come in contact with others politely and sincerely.
b. Be kind to anyone with whom you come in contact. Imagine yourself in their place and have empathy for them.
c. Trust one another, deepen friendship by learning from one another. Learn to help each other and cooperate.
d. Be grateful and sensitive to the fact that your day to day life is built on the support and help of others.
III. Relationship with nature and supernatural
a. Learn to know that life is priceless and respect your life as well as others’.
b. Learn to know the magnificence of nature and take good care of the natural environment.
c. Be moved by beauty and be in awe with that which is beyond the power of humans.
IV. Relationship with groups and society
a. Have morality, observe the laws and rules, respect your rights and that of others, fulfill your obligations willingly.
b. Treat everyone without discrimination or prejudice and be fair and just. Do your best to exhibit justice.
c. Participate in your local group and be aware of your role. Be cooperative and fulfill your obligation autonomously.
d. Understand the meaning of work. Learn to know the joy of service, give service to the public.
e. Respect and love your parents and grandparents. In pursuit of happiness for the family, be willing and useful.
f. Deepen your respect and love for teachers and people at school, create a better school culture by cooperating with one another.
g. Take good care of your local and country's culture. Learn to know the effort of your predecessors and learn to love your hometown and country.
h. Have a mindset to cherish people of foreign countries and their culture, promote a good relationship with people from all over the world with an awareness of being Japanese.
Read more: Teaching Integrity
