Unlike other countries, Japan made preschool education universally accessible. Researchers found that it develops not so much academic skills as social ones—self-regulation and emotional intelligence. This, they believe, helps in adolescence avoid risky behavior.
Against the backdrop of global interest in education reforms, Japan’s experience may be a compelling argument for expanding access to quality early childhood education worldwide. After all, as the findings suggest, the impact of kindergarten does not end when children leave—it continues throughout life.
