In recent years, Japan's higher education landscape has been thrust into the spotlight amid a deepening teacher shortage crisis gripping the nation's public schools. A particularly contentious development is the growing trend of university juniors—typically third-year students—applying early to teacher hiring exams, known as kyōin saiyō shiken (教員採用試験). This "early challenge selection" or daigaku 3-nensei mae-daoshi senkō (大学3年生前倒し選考) allows undergraduates before their senior year to sit for preliminary portions of these competitive exams, sparking debate over readiness, recruitment ethics, and the future of teacher quality.
The system emerged as local governments and prefectures race to secure talent amid plummeting applicant numbers. With public school teacher vacancies hitting 3,827 nationwide as of May 2025—a 1.8-fold increase from 2021—education boards are innovating desperately. Yet, what began as a pragmatic response to shortages has ignited controversy, with critics labeling it "aotan-bai" (青田買い), or premature poaching, akin to scouting unripe rice fields.
Roots of the Teacher Shortage in Japanese Public Schools
Japan's teacher shortage stems from multiple factors: an aging workforce, with many reaching mandatory retirement; surging demand for special needs education; and long working hours deterring applicants. According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the 2025 applicant-to-position ratio for elementary school teachers dropped to a historic low of 2.2 times, down from over 3 times a decade ago.
Universities with education faculties feel the pressure acutely. Students in teacher training programs face a dilemma: pursue teaching amid grueling conditions or opt for private sector jobs with better work-life balance. Prefectures like Kochi report 73% of early passers withdrawing offers, using the exam as a "safety net" while targeting urban hubs like Tokyo.
- Retirements and leaves: 7 retirements, 12 sick leaves in Kochi alone early 2025.
- Special support schools: Highest shortage rate at 1.2%.
- Elementary: 2,100 short nationwide.
This crisis prompts higher education institutions to ramp up preparation courses, but the early exam push disrupts traditional timelines.
How the Early Exam System Works for University Juniors
Under MEXT guidelines issued in June 2025, prefectures can shift primary exams (pen-and-paper tests on pedagogy, general knowledge) to May 11 starting 2026, aligning with private hiring. For juniors, the system typically lets them take the primary exam in spring/summer of their third year, with secondary (interviews, teaching demos) in their fourth year.
Requirements often include university recommendations to ensure commitment. Tokyo pioneered this in 2023; by 2025, 2,809 juniors passed the preliminary (80.8% rate). Other adopters: Ibaraki (705 applicants), Saitama, Kumamoto, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Okayama, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu—over 39 entities by 2024, covering 60% of regions.
Process step-by-step:
- Third-year spring: Apply with uni endorsement.
- May/June: Primary exam (教職教養, general).
- Pass: Listed as candidate; fourth-year secondary.
- Final: Pre-graduation confirmation.
Prefecture Spotlights: Kochi's Radical 'De Facto Inner Determination'
Kochi exemplifies extremes. Facing 70%+ withdrawals (204/280 elementary passers in 2024), it launched junior full-exam access in 2025: pass primary May 31, secondary July, listed for 2027 hiring. Only 14 juniors selected initially.
Education chief Nagao Motoyasu: "Secure committed talent early, but scrutinize maturity." Yet, 25 vacancies lingered into January 2025.
Kumamoto started 2026 junior primary, calling it innovation amid shortages. Ibaraki: 235 juniors applied 2024, 224 passed preliminary.
Read Asahi's full report on Kochi's approach.The Core Controversy: High Withdrawals and 'Safety Net' Abuse
Critics decry the system as fostering insincerity. Juniors pass early but bolt for better offers from Tokyo or Osaka, leaving rural areas scrambling. Kochi's 73% rate exemplifies; nationally, early hires withdraw at 60-70%.
"It's a slide stopper (namidashi dome), not true commitment," says one expert. Prefectures compete in 'early buying,' eroding trust.
- Pros: Double chances, less senior-year stress.
- Cons: Wasted resources, poaching wars.
Maturity and Preparation Concerns from Universities
Higher ed voices worry juniors lack depth. Without senior-year teaching practice or advanced coursework, can they handle classrooms? Prof. Suetomi Kaori (Nihon Univ.): "Patchwork fix; overwork root unaddressed."
Universities adjust: Doshisha, Hosei offer tailored prep. But Hiroshima educators note: "Reduces uni learning time, questions higher ed value."
Student Perspectives: Opportunity vs. Anxiety
Juniors like those in TAC seminars view it positively: "Two shots reduce pressure." But anxiety looms: failure impacts confidence; success locks paths prematurely.
Experiences: Note.com bloggers share passing Ibaraki prelims, but stress re-exam strategy.
MEXT's Guardrails and National Guidelines
MEXT mandates university coordination, no learning disruption. Multiple rounds encouraged, with autumn/winter backups. Quality via endorsements, training for novices.
MEXT's 2025 notification details.Broader Impacts on Japan's Higher Education
Education faculties expand early prep: webinars, mock exams. But rural unis suffer as talent flees to metros. Long-term: May dilute senior-year research, shift focus to exam cramming.
Stakeholder Views and Potential Solutions
Pros (local boards): Secures 20-80% more applicants. Cons (univs/experts): Band-aid; fix overwork, salaries.
- Increase pay, cap hours.
- Digital tools, support staff.
- Target mid-career hires.
Outlook: With 2026 May 11 standard, expect wider adoption, but withdrawals persist sans reforms.
Photo by Anthony Mensah on Unsplash
Future Outlook: Balancing Urgency and Quality
As shortages hit 0.45% in 2025, early exams proliferate. Universities must innovate curricula; students weigh pros. Ultimately, sustainable teaching careers key.
For aspiring educators, explore academic CV tips or Japan jobs at AcademicJobs Japan.
