1.
school refusal, not attending school
A child or student's extended absence from school, not caused by illness or economic reasons, but typically by emotional, social, or psychological factors such as bullying, anxiety, or difficulty adjusting. A significant social issue in Japan.
不登校 is the standard term in Japan for children who do not attend school for extended periods. It is defined by the Ministry of Education as being absent for 30 or more days per year for reasons other than illness or economic hardship.
Common collocations
- 不登校になる (stop attending school)
- 不登校の児童/生徒 (student refusing to attend school)
- 不登校支援 (support for school refusal)
- 不登校の原因 (causes of school refusal)
Cultural note
Common causes include bullying (いじめ), difficulty with peer relationships, academic pressure, and family issues. Japan has developed various support systems including 適応指導教室 (adaptation guidance classrooms, now often called 教育支援センター) and フリースクール (free schools).