CHAPTER 12 - Accounting Education and Training in Japan

Abstract

This chapter discusses the accounting education and training in Japan. The Japanese economy has grown greatly both in strength and volume, with a high rate of growth of manufacturing, stable prices, and increased foreign trade. As a result of this economic growth, the nominal GNP is now the highest in the world. Formal education in accountancy began in the Meiji-era (1868–1912) when double entry book-keeping was introduced to Japan. There was no formal system of accounting education during the Tokugawa Shogunate era (1603–1867). One reason for the lack of general business book-keeping system was that the big merchant houses were not allowed to disclose their procedures outside their premises. To build up the economy of the country, the new democratic government in the Meiji-era introduced a modern banking system in 1873. The banks adopted the modern system of accounting. Accounting education in the early Meiji-era gradually spread to other parts of the country and double entry book-keeping was adopted by many government agencies and companies. Book-keeping and accounting are subjects included in the curricula of commercial courses in upper secondary schools and courses in the Department of Commerce, Management, and Economics are included in the curricula of junior colleges and the universities. Education in accountancy at the universities varies, reflecting different ideas about education in general. Generally speaking, education in accountancy in Japan is intended not only to prepare students for the professional accounting examinations but to teach basic and fundamental accountancy theory.