In most schools, the day begins with a meeting of all the staff where the day's schedule and major events are announced. Teachers then may have the opportunity to meet within their grade level groups for a few minutes and discuss particular concerns. Longer sessions are often scheduled at other times throughout the week to discuss the study plan for the next week and discuss any issues which have arisen in the classrooms. In contrast to teachers in many Western countries, teachers in Japan are not isolated from one another. A teacher's day is more balanced between teaching students and working with other adults to improve their teaching and the school's program.
Teachers also collaborate with the group of teachers teaching the same academic subject.
They too will sometimes hold planning and discussion sessions, and may have responsibility for coordinating certain events, such as a model demonstration class that will be observed by other teachers or supervisors from outside the school. Most schools also have several faculty committees, such as student guidance, research, and school events. Teachers in Japan, like those in the other APEC members studied, spend long hours at the school building or home to accomplish their job. It is not unusual for lower secondary school teachers to be at the school building between 60 and 70 hours per week. Often it is the younger teachers who put in the longest hours.