Intelligence quotient or IQ is an instrument used to measure an individuals’ mental or cognitive ability in comparison to the general population. IQ scores range from 0 to 160, where 0 is the lowest while 160 is the highest.
In the IQ rankings of the world, Japan ranks very high along with some of the other Asian countries. This article will focus on the average IQ of Japan and the factors that are associated with it.
Introduction
IQ is important and can even influence one’s career and life prospects. It helps to identify an individual’s strengths and weaknesses, and is also an attractive factor for employers, enabling them to discern their potential employee’s characteristics. It is, however, important to mention that IQ alone does not determine one’s capabilities, and there are other factors, such as physical and emotional intelligence, that also help define an individual.
Japan is a technologically advanced country and has been very successful in the field of technology, robotics, innovation, and science in general. Thus, it would be logical to assume that the average IQ in Japan is much higher than the average of other countries.
This article will focus on the average IQ of Japan, finding out if it is indeed higher than the general global average.
Average IQ of Japan
According to the most recent data, the average IQ of the Japanese population is 105, which is similar to the global average. This figure was derived by the study of 4 population groups: the aged 50-59 in Japan, aged 60-69 in Japan, Japanese adults living abroad, and Japanese schoolchildren. The average IQ of Japanese schoolchildren ranges between 98 and 107, which is generally in line with the global IQ range of 90-10
However, the IQ range varies greatly depending on the region. For example, the average IQ of Japanese children in the South-western region is 120, which is significantly higher than the global average.
It is worth noting that the variation in the IQ level within Japan is much higher compared to the other developed countries. It is speculated that it could be attributed to a wide variety of educational opportunities given to the students in Japan.
The Japanese education system is one of the toughest in the world, with well-defined curriculums and examinations. Furthermore, the Japanese culture promotes competition in learning, where children are pushed to excel academically. This results in higher academic performance levels and has a direct impact on IQ levels.
It is also hypothesized that the continuous development of robotics and innovation could give a further boost to the IQ levels of the average Japanese population in the years to come.
IQ Variation in Japan
Apart from the regional variation in IQ, the average IQ also varies with age. Studies have found that the average IQ of the aged 50-59 population in Japan is 104, which is lower than the average IQ of the 60-69 aged population at 10
In other words, the intelligence level of Japan tends to increase as the population grows older.
This could be attributed to the high value that the Japanese culture places on lifetime learning and education, as well as the continued development of analytics and robotics in the country. Additionally, research suggests that the Japanese population living abroad have a higher IQ than the average Japanese population in Japan. It is postulated that this increase may be due to the exposure to different cultures and their respective education systems, as well as the constant expanding of their horizons.
Contributing Factors of Japanese IQ
Various contributing factors must be attributed to the high average IQ of Japan, the main ones being the strong emphasis on education and the use of robotics. In the Japanese culture, education is highly valued, with competitive exams and curriculums being put in place to ensure the best students progress and excel. This competitive environment enables students to strive for academic excellence and also results in higher IQ levels in Japan.
Additionally, Robotics has advanced quickly in Japan over the past few decades, and has become a core industry in the country, still progressing exponentially. It is speculated that the continued research and development of robotic technology could elevate the average IQ level of the country further in the future, as robotics is a hard science and requires a higher level of intellectualism.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the current average IQ of Japan is on par with the global average, while the average IQ of Japanese adults living abroad is higher. The main attributing factor of the higher than average IQ of Japan is the strong emphasis on education and the introduction of robotics. It is likely that the continued effort in robotics will further increase the average IQ of Japan in years to come.