According to a survey conducted by Japan's Ministry of Education, as of May last year, the number of public school teachers in short supply reached 3,827, which is a 1.8-fold increase compared to four years ago. The Ministry indicated that the overall shortage represented 0.45% of the total teaching staff, with 2,589 schools experiencing shortages, an increase of 998 from the previous survey in 2021, highlighting a growing problem of filling vacancies left by teachers on leave due to illness or parental leave.

The survey examined public elementary, junior high, and high schools, as well as special support schools, across all 47 prefectures and 20 designated cities. The reported shortages included 1,699 teachers in elementary schools, 1,031 in junior high schools, 508 in high schools, and 589 in special support schools. Notably, the Ministry emphasized the severity of the situation, particularly in certain areas, where disparities in teacher availability were pronounced with some municipalities experiencing zero shortages while others reported significant gaps.

In elementary schools, the shortage was particularly acute in places like Fukushima and Fukuoka, while some designated cities, including Sendai and Kawasaki, reported zero shortages across all their schools. The increase in special support classes, with around 800 new classes, may be contributing to the rising need for teachers. The Ministry of Education is calling for attention to these disparities to address the challenges facing public education in Japan effectively.