Why do teachers as a profession engage in lesson study as an essential part of their continuing professional development in Japan?

Lesson study is a comprehensive and well-articulated process for teacher reflective practice in Japan. We describe lesson study as a pedagogy of investigation forms for continuing professional development, and discuss three aspects of the process. Finally, we conclude that lesson study promotes opportunities for collaboration with colleagues within the professional community and we identify traditional features based on professional culture for effective continuing professional development in Japan.