Japanese School Hierarchy and Club Activities: The Invisible Student Rankings in Japanese Schools

It is said that Japanese schools have an invisible hierarchy among students, known as the "school caste system." Various factors such as club activities, academic performance, appearance, and personality unconsciously group students into different categories, defining their "position" within the school. However, the rules of this school caste system are not clearly defined and change depending on the era and environment.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the reality of Japan's school caste system, its relationship with club activities, and how it differs from other countries.

What is Japan’s School Caste System?

The school caste system refers to the hierarchical structure of student relationships in school. Popularity, athletic ability, and appearance are the main factors that determine one's rank, forming upper and lower groups. It is most commonly observed in middle and high schools, where students of the same age, within the closed environment of school, evaluate and rank each other. The general classification consists of "First-tier, Second-tier, and Third-tier" groups, in descending order. In recent years, concerns have been raised that the school caste system is linked to bullying and school refusal.

Background and Characteristics of the Caste System

Key Factors: "Appearance" and "Communication Skills"

What are the factors that create the school caste system? Here are the results of a survey conducted by Ouchiino Research Institute, which asked, "What do you think determines the ranking in the school caste system?" The survey targeted 860 men and women aged 20 to 39 living in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

There were slight differences between male and female responses. Among males, the most influential factor in determining their rank was "communication skills" at 50.2%, followed by "appearance" at 37.2%, "athletic ability" at 32.9%, "academic performance" at 30.4%, and "club activities" at 26.6%.

For females, the most significant factor was "appearance" at 49.5%, followed by "communication skills" at 43.9%, "athletic ability" at 25.0%, "academic performance" at 24.1%, and "relationships with the opposite sex" at 22.2%.

It seems that students with strong "communication skills" tend to rank higher in the caste system among boys, while "appearance" is the dominant factor among girls.

Overall, "communication skills" was the most common factor at 47.0%, followed by "appearance" at 43.7%, "athletic ability" at 28.9%, "academic performance" at 27.2%, and "club activities" at 22.9%.

Characteristics of Higher and Lower Castes in the School Caste System

Now, let's take a look at the characteristics of higher and lower caste students, based on the book "Classroom (School) Caste" by Sho Suzuki (published by Kobunsha Shinsho). Students in the higher caste tend to be "loud and lively," "take the back seats on the bus during school trips," "assertive and take charge," "highly rated by the opposite sex," "highly engaged in youth culture," "girls are conscious of their appearance," and "boys are good at sports and considered attractive." On the other hand, students in the lower caste are described as having "no distinct characteristics—if anything, they are plain," "quiet," and "always remain silent in class." Compared to students in the higher caste, they are considered to have fewer standout traits.

Does Club Participation Shape a Student’s Image?

High School Students Rank the "Coolest" Clubs

In Japan, club activities have long been a major part of school life. In the past, middle school students were often required to participate in clubs, leading to a culture where club activities remain a strong tradition. Since nearly all students belong to a club, it’s natural that certain types of students tend to gather in specific clubs. Because of this, the club a student belongs to can often influence their rank in the school caste system. For example, athletic clubs tend to attract outgoing and noticeable students, while cultural clubs are often associated with quieter, more reserved students. Simply put, students in sports clubs are often ranked higher in the caste system, while those in cultural clubs may be placed lower.

Let’s take a look at actual survey data. Below are the results of a ranking of the "Coolest Clubs," as chosen by high school students in a study conducted by Study Sapuri. Of course, there is no official standard for what makes a club "cool" or "uncool," and perceptions vary by school and grade level. So, take this ranking as just a general reference.

Top 5 Coolest Clubs

Source: Recruit Co., Ltd., Study Sapuri Career "Coolest Club Ranking" (n=690, May 2023) https://shingakunet.com/journal/fromsapuri/20230420000006/?vos=scrmot00054

Among sports clubs, widely popular sports like soccer, basketball, and baseball seem to rank the highest.

#1 Coolest Club: Soccer Club

The soccer club is often associated with being "refreshing and cool," "filled with central figures in the class," and "a gathering place for students with good athletic ability." In Japanese schools, most soccer clubs are male-only, and girls' soccer teams are quite rare. So, these impressions mainly apply to boys' soccer teams.

#2 Coolest Club: Basketball Club

Thanks to famous manga and movies like "Slam Dunk," basketball is often seen as the sport of youth and passion. Many students associate basketball players with being "outgoing" and "standout players during school sports tournaments," making it a club considered cool. Unlike soccer, basketball clubs are popular among both boys and girls.

#3 Coolest Club: Dance Club

The dance club, which is mostly made up of female students, is often seen as "shiny and glamorous," "the highlight of school festivals," and "full of cute students." The recent popularity of dance trends may have influenced this perception.

#4 Coolest Club: Baseball Club

The baseball club is known for its "polite and disciplined" image. Many students view it as "tough, but members work hard in practice." Compared to other sports clubs, baseball teams tend to have stricter etiquette rules. It’s common to see players taking off their caps to bow or stopping to greet others, leaving a strong impression of discipline.

#5 Coolest Club: Brass Band Club

Although a cultural club, the brass band club—especially in highly competitive schools—can be just as demanding as sports clubs. With intense practice schedules and fierce competition for instrument parts, it has a tough side. Many students see it as "cool because they can play instruments" and "a major part of school events."

#5 Coolest Club: Volleyball Club

The original article does not provide details on the volleyball club, but volleyball is a sport that heavily relies on teamwork. This gives it an image of players valuing their teammates. Since volleyball players frequently call out to each other during games, they are often perceived as bright and energetic.

Are School Clubs Disappearing?

In Japan, middle school club activities are gradually shifting from being school-run to community-based programs. This change is largely driven by the need to reduce teacher workloads and the increasing demand for specialized coaching. If club activities were to disappear from schools, they might no longer play a role in the school caste system.

However, not all students belong to school clubs. Those in the "Going-Home Club" (students who do not join any school club) may instead participate in community sports teams or focus on their studies. Because of this, it’s difficult to generalize trends among students who don’t join school clubs.

The Impact of "Character Labels" in School

School can be seen as a somewhat "closed environment." In elementary school, students spend six years with the same peers, while in middle school, they stay together for three years. Compared to adulthood—where job transfers and life changes bring fluid social interactions—schools have little turnover, making it easier for students to be labeled with certain personalities.

Even when classes change, these character labels tend to persist. For instance, students who are seen as the "class leader" type will likely continue to be relied upon in a new class. Similarly, students with a "gyaru" (fashion-conscious, outgoing) image will often form close bonds with similar peers, even in a different class. On the other hand, students who see themselves as lower in the school caste may start to perceive their personality as "reserved." Since they don’t actively change their behavior, their social position remains the same. If character labels end up suppressing a student's individuality and potential, it’s not an ideal situation.

However, some students try to redefine themselves during major transitions, known as "high school debut" or "university debut." The fewer friends from their previous school they have, the greater the opportunity to change their image and social relationships.

Comparison With Other Countries. Is the School Caste System Unique to Japan?

How does the school caste system in Japan compare to those overseas? In the U.S., students are often categorized into groups with distinct character labels. These labels are frequently used in high school dramas, where each character's traits are clearly defined.

For example, "Jocks" are the top-tier male students in the school caste system. They are often the captains of the football team or other major sports clubs.

"Nerds" refer to students who are highly focused on their own interests, often disregarding anything outside of them. This group is typically placed lower in the caste system and consists of academically driven students, book lovers, or computer geeks.

It is common in American dramas to see Jocks teasing or bullying Nerds. Similarly, in Japan, students at the top of the caste system may act aggressively toward those in lower social groups, sometimes even crossing the line into bullying. This suggests that hierarchical character labeling might be a universal phenomenon.

Is the School Caste System a Form of Bullying? Issues and Possible Solutions

As mentioned earlier, while the school caste system and bullying are different concepts, there is a possibility that one could escalate into the other. If this happens, how should it be addressed? There is no definitive answer, but Japanese manga and dramas that explore school caste dynamics may offer some insights.

If you're interested in this topic, consider checking out the following works:

• Shingeki no School Caste

*Bonus footage from the movie "Attack on Titan: The Last Attack"

• Nobuta wo Produce

Available for purchase on Yahoo! Shopping👉 here

Available for purchase on BOOK☆WALKER (book/manga version) 👉 here

• The Kirishima Thing (Kirishima, Bukatsu Yamerutteyo)

Available for purchase on Yahoo! Shopping 👉 here

Available for purchase on BOOK☆WALKER (book/manga version) 👉here

• Billion × School

Available for purchase on Yahoo! Shopping 👉 here

Available for purchase on BOOK☆WALKER (book/manga version) 👉here

References:

Sho Suzuki and Yuki Honda, "Classroom (School) Caste" First Edition, Kobunsha, 2012, 312 pages

Hirotsugu Hori, "The Identity of School Caste -Bullying Response Without Kireigoto-" First edition, Shogakukan, 2015, 208 pages
Outino Co., Ltd., "Fact-finding Survey on School Caste and Working Caste," March 18, 2016 (Reference date: March 6, 2025), https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000123.000014097.html

Recruit Co., Ltd. "Study Sapuri Career Path" "Announcement of 'Cool Club Activity Ranking' Selected by Approximately 700 Active High School Students!", 2023/5/25 (Reference date: 2025/3/6)https://shingakunet.com/journal/fromsapuri/20230420000006/