"Why are the Japanese so "extreme" when it comes to education?"

Discipline.  It had a lot to do with the way they are raised.  They all wear uniforms to school.  They go to school six days a week.  But they are raised with a great deal of respect for their teachers, the school and the school system in general. To do wrong in school is to bring shame on yourself which is to bring shame on your family and your family name.  The same is true if you do good.  It not only looks good for you it looks good for your whole family and your family name.  The Japanese take great strides in bettering themselves and teaching to try and better themselves.  One of the best ways to better yourself is through knowledge.  Knowledge is power.  So they teach, teach teach, train, train, train.  And you are taught to try and better yourself through education from the time you are very young.  You get use to school, books and teaching, year around, 6 days a week.  For them education is more than just going to school and getting out for a 3 month summer vacation.  It is a lifestyle. 

Hope this helps.

Doc

I don't agree with the statememt.  I believe the American society is only more accepting of the people that for one reason or another did not go far with their studies however gets impressed with anyone that does.

Unfortunately education sometimes is a difficult task for the less fortunate.  I'm sure some people would love to be the perpetual students and be in an environment of classes and labs instead of working hard in a job and supporting a family on minimum salary.  Others, might be very bright, but cannot handle the rigid schedules being more care free in studying.

Japan has the same unfair system as Brazil does for a person to get into an University.  You go through high school and then you have to apply to universities and take tests.  Sometimes 2000 students will apply for 150 openings.  Tests are very difficult and many times students that fail give up and opt for a trade.  Gasp!  The families get so disappointed.

I have read on a Japanese girl that committed suicide because she was doing poorly in an US Ivy League university.  A little much, no?  The poor girl must have had other mental issues to feel such dispair and not see a way out.  I doubt it was all about the grades but I could see the family saving face with that.

I was raised by parents that "brain-washed" us that without education you cannot have anything.  So we study, got our degrees and guess what..... worked as hard as everybody else.  My tile guy has more assets then we do!  Good for him!

A few years ago, in Japan there were students who were committing suicide because of the pressure.  The Japanese believe learning is an escape from poverty.  If you remember in the 1940's when the Japanese were sent to internment camps, and later set free, the parents went on a war path to see that their children received an education.  Many of them became professionals and few end up homeless. 

In my community we have about 40% Chinese and the kids are pushed hard in academics and music. I would tell my kids, better get an education because an Asian will take your place.  I have worked closely with adults and Asian kids.  The kids are highly respectful and are more mature than their counterparts. They are also advanced in technology and some can build computers.