Comparative Analysis of Education Quality in Japan and Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the comparative quality of education in Japan and Indonesia by examining various factors that influence educational quality. A qualitative approach utilizing the library research method was employed, drawing upon diverse scholarly sources such as books, journal articles, international agency reports, and relevant official documents. Data were analyzed using content analysis to identify similarities, differences, and factors influencing educational quality in both countries. The findings indicate that, according to the literature, the quality of education in Japan tends to surpass that of Indonesia in areas such as curriculum, teacher professionalism, character education, and infrastructure and technology support. Meanwhile, although Indonesia has implemented various educational reforms, it continues to face challenges regarding regional quality disparities, limited facilities and infrastructure, and suboptimal policy implementation. These findings suggest that improving educational quality requires synergy among sustainable policies, teacher competency development, the equitable distribution of educational facilities, and the strengthening of school culture. Best practices implemented in Japan can serve as a reference for developing Indonesia's education system, while still taking into account national characteristics and needs.