Asia
Japan: schools and universities
The Japanese school year starts in April, and children start elementary school in the April after they turn six. Most international schools follow their own curriculum's calendar instead, usually starting in August or September, so a family arriving in summer can often join an international school at the start of its year but would join a Japanese state school mid-year.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| School year (state schools) | April to March, in three terms |
| Compulsory schooling | Six years of elementary and three of junior high school, roughly ages 6 to 15 |
| Where international schools are | Mostly Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka and Kobe |
| University year | Usually starts in April; some English-taught programmes start in September |
| How to apply | Directly to each university, often with the EJU exam for international applicants |
Schools
Curricula at international schools include IB, British, American and several national systems. Some international schools are not recognised as regular schools under Japanese law. That rarely matters for a foreign family, but it can affect Japanese children who later want to move into the state system. Fees in central Tokyo are among the highest in Asia, and many schools also charge a one-off enrolment fee and a building fee. A city list such as international schools in Tokyo shows how many options sit within reach of each part of the city.
Japanese state schools accept foreign children, and some wards in Tokyo run extra Japanese classes for them. Most families who choose this route have a child young enough to pick up the language quickly.
Universities
Japan has national, public and private universities. Most degrees are taught in Japanese, and entry usually depends on the university's own exams. Many universities ask international applicants for the Examination for Japanese University Admission (EJU), which is held twice a year in Japan and in some other countries. The number of degree programmes taught entirely in English has grown, mostly at large national and private universities.
National universities charge a standard tuition set by the government, and some have recently been allowed to raise it. Private universities set their own fees, which are usually higher.
Before you apply
- Check whether the programme you want is taught in English or Japanese, and what Japanese level it expects by the second year.
- Look at the start month. An April start can leave a gap of several months after a school year that ends in June.
- Housing for students is limited. Ask whether the university has a dormitory for first-year international students.
Directory entry, checked October 2026. Entries describe the education system in general terms and link to country listings.