Why Do Japanese Kids Clean Their Own School? (The “O-Soji” Culture)

Where Are the Cleaners?
If you visit a Japanese school, you will see elementary school students scrubbing floors and wiping windows. You might wonder, “Why are the students doing the work of a professional cleaner?” Actually, schools do have staff (called Yomuin) for maintenance and heavy tasks. However, cleaning the classroom is strictly the students’ job. It is a daily routine called “O-Soji.”

Try It Yourself
You don’t have to scrub floors, but you can adopt the “O-Soji Spirit.” When you leave a table at a food court or a seat on the Shinkansen, take your trash with you and wipe the table. That small gesture will make you look like a true local.

School Life is More Than Studying! (Related Articles)
Cleaning is just one unique part of Japanese school life. To truly understand Japanese kids, you need to know what they do in the kitchen and on the playground.

1. Survival Skills for Everyone It’s not just cleaning. Every Japanese student (including boys) must learn how to cook Curry and sew a button. It is mandatory!
👉 Why is it a required class? Check out: “Why Can Every Japanese Man Sew a Button and Cook Curry?”

Why Can Every Japanese Man Sew a Button and Cook Curry?

2. The Battlefield of Recess After working hard, they play hard. But Japanese “Dodgeball” is not a simple game; it is a strategic combat sport with pincer attacks. 👉 Why is it so intense? Check out: “Why Is Japanese ‘Dodgeball’ So Intense and Strategic?”

Why Is Japanese “Dodgeball” So Intense and Strategic?

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