Education in Japan
Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a free trade agreement of 11 members including Japan, Plus the pandemic and disruption to supply chains have highlighted the country as an assignment destination.
International Schools
Most of Japan’s 80-plus international schools are based in Tokyo although there are others in larger cities such as Yokohama and Kobe. According to ISC Research there are at least 50 international schools in Tokyo delivering a range of curriculums with American and British being the most popular and many schools providing the IB. There is a good choice of schools, including faith, single sex and bilingual, and a wide range of curriculums for a range of budgets.“Tokyo is becoming a really attractive destination educationally for international families,” says the International School Advisory’s Jack. “The Japanese government has become open to the presence of international schools and what they can bring to Japan, and the country is starting to become an alternative to China.”International schools are also increasingly popular with Japanese families, particularly those who are globally minded or bicultural. They are more holistic and less pressurised than public schools, something of growing importance to locals.Language and Culture Options
Most offer education in English but there are options for different nationalities including the Lycee Francais International de Tokyo (French); the Deutsche Schule Tokyo Yokohama (German); the India International School in Japan, created in 2004 and about to move to new campus in the Koto area, and the Tokyo Chinese School which follows the curriculum of the Republic of China.There has also been a surge in demand for Tokyo’s international schools from Chinese nationals: Traditionally Chinese students would have been sent to board in the UK but Japan offers a closer alternative, geographically and culturally.“Chinese expats account for between 40 and 50 per cent of all expats in Tokyo. As the provision of international schools shrinks in China due to regulatory pressure, the demand is being met elsewhere,” says L.E.K’s Sudeep Laad.New Schools
The last few years have seen a mini construction boom in international schools in the city and three offshoots of branded UK private schools have recently opened: Harrow International School Appi Japan in 2022 in the Appi mountains and Rugby School Japan and Malvern College Tokyo both opening in September 2023. The British School in Tokyo will also open a new campus in Tokyo this summer to cope with increased demand.“Existing schools are running at high capacity indicating a favourable outlook for these new schools,” says L.E.K’s Sudeep. “It is also expected more British school brands will turn to the Japanese market to address the high growth in demand.”Phoenix House International SchoolOther new schools include the Hakuba International School, founded by a former Goldman Sachs banker, which will open this summer with a curriculum focused on outdoor learning and sustainability. The boarding school is set amongst nature in the beautiful Hakuba Valley with a focus on the environment and personal well-being.Jinseki International School opened in 2020 in Hiroshima, Japan’s first full boarding primary school with bilingual learning in English and Japanese and the Capital Tokyo International School opened last year with a focus on bilingual education. Students are mainly taught in English with some lessons in Japanese and weekly Mandarin Chinese lessons.Despite the many advantages of living in Japan, there are certain challenges that expats may face. One such challenge is the difficulty of learning the local language, making it challenging to navigate daily life without proficiency in Japanese. Additionally, utilizing online administrative services and conducting cashless transactions can pose obstacles and disrupt the smooth functioning of daily activities.However, for those who are able to overcome these challenges, Japan continues to be a safe, comfortable and stimulating destination for relocation and raising a family.This article is from Relocate Global's Guide to International Education & Schools 2022/23 which is packed with expert tips and information for those relocating and the professionals supporting them.Access hundreds of global services and suppliers in our Online DirectoryFor more education and school-related news, visit our Education and Schools pages.
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