The definition of the terms gifted education or giftedness in Japanese is not clear among Japanese equivalent terms. There is no official gifted and talented education in Japan. Because government-sponsored gifted education does not exist in Japan, gifted or talented students are not recognized. Most Japanese people strongly believe in equal educational opportunities; thus, they are generally against a special form of education for top learners. Many Japanese people feel that selecting special students would promote elite education instead of egalitarianism. Japanese culture emphasizes student effort and diligence rather than innate ability or intelligence. Japanese people in general believe that all students will become high achievers if they study hard. This entry describes the modern education system, the private education industry, and early admission to ...