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Socioeconomic Factors and Perceptual Gaps in Quality Physical Education in Japan
Walter Ho, Klaudia Rafael, Yang Yang Xie, Naoki Suzuki, Jiaxi Hu, Keyue Yan
International Sports Studies 45 No. 2 (2023)
https://doi.org/10.30819/iss.45-2.05 pp: 56-68 2023-12-21
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Physical Education, Quality Physical Education, PE teachers, Japan, socioeconomic barriers, gender inequality
Cite: APA BibTeX
Ho, W., & Rafael, K., & Xie, Y.Y., & Suzuki, N., & Hu, J., & Yan, K. (2023). Socioeconomic Factors and Perceptual Gaps in Quality Physical Education in Japan. International Sports Studies, 45 (2), 56-68. doi:10.30819/iss.45-2.05
@article{Ho_2023,
doi = {10.30819/iss.45-2.05},
url = {https://doi.org/10.30819/iss.45-2.05},
year = 2023,
publisher = {Logos Verlag Berlin},
volume = {45},
number = {2},
pages = {56-68},
author = {Walter Ho, Klaudia Rafael, Yang Yang Xie, Naoki Suzuki, Jiaxi Hu, Keyue Yan},
title = {Socioeconomic Factors and Perceptual Gaps in Quality Physical Education in Japan},
journal = {International Sports Studies}
}
Abstract
Japan initiated the latest curriculum reform in physical education (PE) to cultivate a desirable
programme for students and improve quality physical education (QPE). This
study invited 221 PE teachers (53.4% males and 45.3% females) from Tokyo and Hiroshima
to demonstrate their perceptual understanding of the QPE situation in Japan. The
validated 'Global Index of Quality Physical Education' questionnaire (Ho et al., 2021)
was used for data collection. The overall QPE score was 6.37 points out of 10. The lowestscored
dimensions were Plans for Feasibility and Accessibility of PE (5.05) and Governmental
Input for PE (5.37). There were no significant differences in the perspectives on
overall QPE among genders and different years of experience between PE teachers and
professionals. Significant differences in perspectives on QPE were evident between PE
teachers and professionals working in Tokyo and Hiroshima and between job positions.
The discussion focuses on the marginal success of the situation in QPE in Japan, resulting
from the socioeconomic barriers of a masculinity culture, gender stereotyping, and city
differences in financial situation. The paper discusses the gaps and differences of QPE in
Japan and the development implications of quality PE programmes.