Existence of Corporal Punishments

Asahi Shimbun, 10th Aug 2013

In a detailed investigation conducted in public and private primary, secondary and high schools throughout the country, it was found that in 2012, a total of 6,721 teachers were said to have meted out corporal punishments.

In Yamagata prefecture, there were 115 cases in public schools and 13 cases in private schools. Out of the 115 cases reported in public schools, 33 cases were in primary schools, 38 from secondary and 44 from high schools. In terms of number of students, 70 were primary students, 113 were secondary students and 150 were high school students. Most punishments occured during extra-curricular activities.

The authorities are taking steps to draw up guidelines to prevent further cases from happening.