This is often interpreted to mean that Japan which had been a class bound society became one which distibutes access to its benefits through meritocracy. However, most students doing well on the exams have gone to elite high schools and private academies. There is a highly stratified school subculture. When a student prepares for these exams the whole life of the family centers around facilitating his studies. The exams stretch over two to four days.
Results are posted on a large bulletin board, the newspapers, TVs cover it.
Consequently, graduate education is much less important and relatively unneeded. A basic criticism of the educational system is that it is geared to the practical needs of society not to long-term formation of culture which comes through detached pursuit of truth. Other critics believe it to be entirely too much indoctrination. The Japanese are often thought to be conformists and not creative, especially in science and philosophy. No modern Japanese thinker has appeared noteworthy to the rest of the world.