International Schools in Japan: Accreditation, Admissions and Visas

Most international schools in Japan are not schools defined in Article 1 of the School Education Act (Article 1 schools, 一条校) but are miscellaneous schools (各種学校) or unaccredited educational facilities. When choosing a school, check its accreditation by international accreditation bodies, its curriculum, its language of instruction and where its graduates go on to study. Children of foreign nationality are not subject to Japan’s compulsory schooling obligation, but children with Japanese nationality are treated differently, so care is needed.

The legal status of international schools

The term “international school” has no legal definition. It is a general term for schools that teach mainly in English and mainly serve children of foreign nationals. Under the Japanese system, they fall into one of the following categories.

Even among schools all called “international”, the qualifications obtained on graduation differ widely. Do not judge by the wording of the school’s brochure alone; check its category and accreditation.

How they differ from foreign national schools

Some schools, such as Chinese schools and Korean schools, follow the curriculum of a particular country and teach mainly in that country’s language. These are generally called foreign national schools and serve a different purpose from international schools. If you plan to return home and continue education there, a foreign national school following your home-country curriculum may be a better fit. Choose on the basis of your child’s language and the country in which they will study a few years from now.

Compulsory schooling: children of foreign nationality and children with Japanese nationality

Children of foreign nationality

Parents of school-age foreign children (aged 6 to 15) are not subject to the compulsory schooling obligation under the School Education Act. They are free to choose an international school or a foreign national school. If they wish, the children can also be accepted at public elementary and junior high schools. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) asks municipal boards of education to keep track of foreign children’s school enrolment.

If you would like your child to attend a public school, apply to the board of education of the municipality where you live. Lessons are taught in Japanese, and some schools provide Japanese language support. Some families compare public schools with international schools in light of the fees and the burden of commuting.

Children with Japanese nationality (including dual nationals)

Parents of children with Japanese nationality are subject to the compulsory schooling obligation. The procedures for sending such a child to an international school that is not an Article 1 school vary by municipality. For example, Shinjuku City in Tokyo explains on its website the procedures for children with Japanese nationality attending international schools and similar institutions. Treatment may differ by municipality. Check with the board of education where you live before deciding on enrolment.

Checklist for choosing a school

Costs vary widely between schools, and there are expenses beyond tuition. Compare the total over several years. Narrowing down candidate schools before deciding where to live helps keep the commute manageable. House-hunting for employees is also covered in housing for foreign employees.

What to ask on a school visit or at an interview

• When the school’s accreditation was last renewed, and which grades it covers
• Class sizes, and teachers’ qualifications and length of service
• What support is provided for children whose first language is not English, and whether it costs extra
• Whether there are classes in Japanese, Chinese or other languages
• Which universities in which countries graduates go on to
• Term and holiday dates, and the involvement expected of parents

After graduation: moving on to a Japanese university or high school

Eligibility for university admission

To enter a Japanese university, a student must be eligible for university admission. International school graduates are recognised as eligible mainly in the following ways.

• Completing a 12-year programme at a school accredited by an international accreditation body (WASC, CIS, ACSI, NEASC, Cognia, COBIS)
• Obtaining an internationally recognised university entrance qualification, such as the International Baccalaureate Diploma
• Completing a programme at a foreign national school that is positioned as equivalent to high school in its home country and designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
• Passing the Upper Secondary School Equivalency Examination (高等学校卒業程度認定試験)

The list of accreditation bodies may be revised. In addition, being eligible to apply is not the same as being admitted. Application requirements for returnee and international admissions differ by university, so check the admission guidelines of your target universities early. Most Japanese universities start in April, but some offer degree programmes taught in English or programmes with autumn entry. Some admissions use International Baccalaureate results or English test scores, so start gathering the necessary documents from the high school stage.

Moving on to a Japanese high school

Completing the middle school years at a school that is not an Article 1 school does not count as graduating from a Japanese junior high school. Some high schools may allow students to sit their entrance examinations after an individual review, and the Lower Secondary School Equivalency Examination (中学校卒業程度認定試験) is another route. If your child may move to a Japanese school part-way through, check the options for further education before enrolment.

Changing schools or returning home part-way through

Families whose posting to Japan has a fixed term should also think about the transition to a school after leaving Japan. Moving between schools that use the same curriculum tends to make it easier to continue studying after the transfer. On the other hand, some programmes, such as the final two years of the International Baccalaureate, make credits difficult to carry over if the student changes schools part-way through. When changing schools, ask for transcripts and certificates of enrolment in English and keep them safe.

From application to enrolment, and status of residence

1. Research and school visits (including online information sessions)
2. Application (application form, past transcripts, letters of recommendation, vaccination records, copies of passport or residence card, etc.)
3. Assessment (English proficiency check, interview, academic tests, etc.)
4. Offer of admission and payment of the admission fee and other charges
5. Enrolment, and completion of status of residence and resident registration procedures

The Japanese school year starts in April, but many international schools start in August or September. Depending on when your child joins, the school-year boundaries may not line up with those of schools in your home country or Japan, so confirm in advance which grade your child will enter.

If you apply before coming to Japan, proceed with the status of residence procedures and the school application in parallel. If transcripts or other documents from a previous school are in a language other than English, a translation may be required. Popular schools may have waiting lists, so applying to more than one school gives you peace of mind.

If a parent lives in Japan with a status of residence such as Business Manager or Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, a dependent child generally stays with Dependent (家族滞在) status. The requirements and documents are explained in requirements for the Dependent visa. After arrival, complete resident registration and enrol in public health insurance. For how enrolment works, see health insurance for foreign residents.

If the company pays school fees for an employee’s children, check with a certified tax accountant how they are treated for tax as salary.

How TIMOA can help

For international schools, the qualifications obtained on graduation depend on the school’s legal status and international accreditation. It is important to check the school’s category and accreditation and the timing of entry in light of your child’s nationality and future education plans. Working with partner administrative scriveners (行政書士), TIMOA supports status of residence procedures for your family and preparations for setting up your home and daily life. For details, see our Private Client Services.