Choosing Schools in Japan: Public, Private, and Options for Foreign Families

1. What School Options Are Available in Japan?

In Japan, families generally choose from several types of schools. The main differences lie in who operates the school, language of instruction, cost, and admission requirements.

Main School Options in Japan

School Type	Japanese Name	Ages / Grades	Operated by	Entrance Exam
Public Elementary School	公立小学校	Ages 6–12 (Grades 1–6)	City / Ward	No
Public Junior High School	公立中学校	Ages 12–15 (Grades 7–9)*	City / Ward	No
Public High School	公立高校	Ages 15–18	Prefecture / City	Yes
Private School (Elementary to High School)	私立小・中・高	Ages 6–18	Private organization	Yes
International School	インターナショナルスクール	Varies	Private organization	Yes
Public University	国公立大学	18+	National / Prefecture / City	Yes
Private University	私立大学	18+	Private organization	Yes

*Grades 7–9 correspond to junior high school in Japan.

Usually, students are called “1st year,” “2nd year,” and “3rd year” of junior high school. However, in integrated elementary to junior high schools, grades may be labeled as Grade 7, Grade 8, and Grade 9 following the six years of elementary school.

2. Public Schools

Public schools are the most common choice for families living in Japan, including foreign residents.

They follow a national curriculum set by MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and are closely tied to the local community.

3. Private and International Schools

Private and international schools offer alternatives for families seeking more flexibility, different curricula, or language support.

Private Schools

Key points:

• Private schools exist at all levels, from elementary to university
• Operated by private organizations
• Often emphasize academics, discipline, or religious values
• Entrance exams are common, even at elementary level
• Tuition and additional fees can be high

International Schools

Key points:

• International schools primarily serve multilingual and expatriate families.
• Instruction mainly in English
• High tuition fees
• Japanese language taught as a subject, not the main language
• Some schools are not officially recognized under Japanese law

4. Language Support as a Second Language

Public Schools

Most school communication, such as notices, apps, and parent-teacher meetings, is handled entirely in Japanese. 

The level of language support for non-native speakers is not standardized nationwide and varies greatly by school.

Private Schools

Private schools generally expect students to have a certain level of Japanese proficiency at the time of entry, as classes are usually conducted entirely in Japanese. 

Formal Japanese as a Second Language (JSL) programs are limited, and ongoing language support is often minimal. 

International Schools

International schools typically provide strong support in English or bilingual education.

Many offer structured ESL (English as a Second Language) programs to support students from diverse language backgrounds. 

However, because instruction is mainly conducted in English or another foreign language, children may have less exposure to academic Japanese compared to those attending Japanese public or private schools.

5. How to Choose the Right School for Your Child

There is no single “best” choice. The right school depends on your child’s needs and your family’s plans.

Key factor	Quick guide (examples)
1. Japanese ability	Little/none → International school or public school with strong JSL support. Basic → Public school may work. Native-level → All options are open.
2. Length of stay	Short-term → International or flexible options. Long-term → Public or private Japanese schools.
3. Educational goals	Japanese curriculum vs international curriculum. Entrance exams vs continuous assessment.
4. Budget	Consider total cost: tuition, entrance fees, transportation, uniforms, and after-school costs.
5. Daily life	Communication with school, distance and schedule, and the level of parental involvement.

6. Useful Phrases & Next Step

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