Comparison of Character Education for Elementary School Students in Indonesia and Japan

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of this research is motivated by the widespread phenomenon of social deviation related to morals and character in the midst of Indonesian society today. Thus, the question arises whether the character education that is taught theoretically in schools can be properly understood and applied in everyday life. Character is an individual trait in the form of traits, personality, character and behavior that is expressed in everyday life.In everyday life, there are rules or norms that we must obey to maintain peace and harmony together. However, we often see that there are many people who act outside the existing norms and cause noise and harm to other parties. This phenomenon or social phenomenon that often occurs is considered a deviant behavior or what we know as social deviation. Where people who violate these norms are often aware of their actions but still do them because of an impulse. To get to a glorious nation requires good and consistent character from every citizen. The application of character education to elementary school children is one of the efforts to prevent the occurrence of unsustainable morals in the nation's next generation. Because education should not only educate students to become smart and knowledgeable generations, but also must have good character, morality and character. Elementary school children become objects in the initial effort to cultivate good character because at the age range of 7-11 years, they are in the cognitive development of concrete operations. At this stage, children rely on their logical rationality to make a decision. Therefore, this stage requires proper understanding. In addition to the efforts made by the government through the education system in the curriculum that requires character education, the role of family and community is also needed to maximize the results of character education in schools. This study uses a qualitative method with a literature study approach that is guided by the elementary school education curriculum in Japan and Indonesia. Although the two countries have different character crises, they both apply character education to their country's curriculum. Of course this shows how important good character is for the next generation which is expected to be a milestone towards a glorious nation.