ABSTRACT
Inspired by the social order of ancient Chinese Confucianism, from the midseventeenth century Japan's social order was divided into the four estates or orders: samurai, peasants, artisans, and merchants. The classless society myth is related to cultural norms of being homogeneous, ordinary, and the dangers of standing out. It also resonates with the meritocratic myth: individual students are given equal opportunity to compete against others, so that class differentials and poverty are the expected outcome of fair competition. However, matters are much more complicated than simply doing well on exams. Other influential factors are involved: the family's economic conditions; parent's occupation; parental relations; urban-rural and regional differences; type of school; minority identity. Inspired by European traditions, a system of privilege was established by the Peerage Act on July 7, 1884. Members of the kazoku were ranked and given nobility titles. This system was abolished in 1947 after Japan's defeat in World War II.
