Beyond moral instruction: Tokkatsu and sports activities as an ecosystem of character education in Japanese schools
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v81.119664Keywords:
Tokkatsu, character education, sports activities, student character, Japanese educationAbstract
Introduction: Character education has become an important issue in contemporary education. Japan is widely recognized for integrating character education into daily school life through Tokkatsu (Tokubetsu Katsudō) and sports activities.
Objective: This study aimed to analyze the integration of Tokkatsu and sports activities in shaping students’ character in Japanese schools.
Methodology: This study employed a qualitative descriptive approach based on observations at four schools in Okinawa, Japan. Data were collected through observation and documentation and analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model.
Results: The findings revealed that character development is shaped through the integration of Tokkatsu and sports activities. Tokkatsu promoted cooperation, responsibility, independence, and social awareness, while sports activities strengthened discipline, teamwork, commitment, and leadership. Cooperation, responsibility, and independence emerged as the most dominant character traits.
Conclusions: Character education in Japanese schools is strengthened through the integration of social, academic, and sports activities. The findings demonstrate that Tokkatsu and sports activities function as complementary mechanisms in developing students’ character through direct participation and experience.
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