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Compulsory education in Japan is for a total of 9 years: 6 years of elementary school followed by 3 years of junior high school. After that, students may continue on to 3 years of senior high school and then university (4-year undergraduate program), two-year college programs, or other post-secondary education. The school year begins in April and ends in March of the following year. Most elementary and junior high schools have three semesters per year (April to the end of July, September to the end of December, and January to the end of March) but a few have only two semesters (April through September and October through March). There are school breaks between each semester.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology issues foreign language versions of its guidebook to procedures for entering Japanese schools.
Guidebook for Children of Foreign Nationals Starting School in Japan
Kindergartens are for pre-school children (ages 3 to 5). The kindergarten year begins in April but applications for admission are usually submitted from October of the previous year. There are also certified child centers that combine the functions of a day care center and a kindergarten. Children 3 years and older are accepted regardless of whether or not the parent(s) are working. You can contact the kindergarten or child center directly or, for public institutions, the municipal government office.
It is compulsory in Japan for children to receive elementary and junior high school education, and children of foreign nationals can also receive the same education. To receive information about admission procedures for public schools, contact the board of education in your prefecture or municipality. For private schools, contact the school directly.
⑪School education divisions of boards of education
There are three types of senior high school: regular full-time high school, night school for students who work during the day, and correspondence for students who study at home. There are also two types of curricula: general and specialized (industrial arts, commercial, agricultural, etc.). Most children in Japan go on to senior high school after junior high but to enter they must pass the high school entrance exam. If your child is attending junior high school, please consult the school about the details of the high school entrance system.
High school graduates or students who are assessed as having the equivalent academic ability as a high school graduate may go on to study at university, but they need to pass an entrance exam to be admitted. Senior high school students and their parents can ask their school for detailed information on the university entrance system or contact the university they are interested in directly.
There are various postsecondary vocational schools and colleges for high school graduates. Students must pass an entrance exam to be admitted. High school students can ask their school for details or contact the postsecondary school directly.
Junior and senior high school equivalence examinations are for people who were unable to complete junior or senior high school for various reasons but who wish to continue on to higher education. Those who pass are qualified to take the entrance exam for senior high school or university. For details, contact the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Equivalence Examination Section 2, Lifelong Learning Promotion Division, General Education Policy Bureau,
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
TEL：03-5253-4111
Junior and Senior High School Equivalence Examinations（Japanese）
Lifelong Learning Promotion Division, General Education Policy Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology
TEL：03-5253-4111
Senior High School Equivalence Examination（Japanese）
For further information on education and financial support related to education, see Chapter 5 Education of the Guidebook on Living and Working on the website of the Immigration Services Agency.