Enrolling your child in a Japanese public school

If you’re raising children in Japan, the public-school system is open to you — and it’s free. The rules are a little surprising, though: foreign families aren’t under the same legal obligation as Japanese nationals, yet public schools accept foreign children who want to attend, at no cost. Here’s how it works, from MEXT (the education ministry) and municipal sources.

The structure — and who it applies to

Japan’s compulsory education is six years of elementary school plus three years of lower-secondary (junior high), running from the school year after a child turns 6 through the year they turn 15. The legal duty to have a child receive this education (就学義務) falls on Japanese-national guardians; MEXT states foreign-national parents are not under this same obligation.

But — and this is the key point — if a foreign family wishes to enroll, MEXT says public compulsory schools accept the child “free of charge, the same as Japanese children,” based on international human- rights covenants. Textbooks are provided free to all enrolled students.

How to apply: the board of education

Enrollment is handled by the municipal board of education (教育委員会) where you’re registered as a resident. Practice varies by city:

• Notice-based: many municipalities mail an enrollment notice using resident-registry data (e.g. Yokohama mails elementary notices around mid-October, junior-high around January 20).
• Application-based: some Tokyo wards (e.g. Chuo, Shinjuku) require you to actively file a “foreign-national enrollment application,” presenting your child’s residence card or special permanent resident certificate.

Because it varies, confirm the exact process on your own city/ward’s board-of-education page after you complete your resident registration.

Starting in April vs. transferring mid-year

You can enroll at the normal April start or as a mid-year transfer if you arrive or move partway through the year. For transfers you typically need proof of prior enrollment (a certificate from the previous school). MEXT also notes boards of education may respond flexibly on grade placement — a child may be placed in a lower grade if their Japanese ability or prior schooling calls for it.

Japanese-language support

Children who don’t yet speak Japanese aren’t left to sink or swim. Schools can provide a formal “special curriculum” (特別の教育課程) of Japanese-language instruction in place of part of the regular timetable, aimed at helping the child take part in Japanese-medium classes. MEXT publishes a “Guidebook for Starting School” in seven languages (English, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish).

International schools: an alternative

International schools are an option, but note most are not “Article 1 schools” under the School Education Law (usually classed as “miscellaneous schools”). For a Japanese-national child, attending one doesn’t legally satisfy the compulsory-attendance duty; for foreign children the same statutory duty doesn’t apply, but confirm details with your board of education, since progression into public junior high can be affected.

Frequently asked questions

This is general information from MEXT and municipal sources (2026-07-13). Enrollment procedures (automatic notice vs. active application), documents, and deadlines vary by municipality and can change. Always confirm with your own city/ward board of education.