Schools

Japan is an exciting place to study as well as live. The Japanese educational system is famous for providing quality basic education and achieving one of the world’s highest literacy rates (99+%). Many people choose to study the Japanese language when they are here, but Japan offers education in almost any area of interest imaginable.
See http://www.yellowpage-jp.com/index.php?k=12 or http://www.globaldaigaku.com/global/en/schoolsearch/based/index.html for more information about educational programs.

• Language School
• College
• Elementary – High School

For eligible students, there are some choices of scholarships that can help financially. The Monbusho scholarship (http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/toj/toj0302e.html) is probably the best and is offered by the Japanese government. Find out what you are qualified for and then try to get as many scholarships as possible. Hopefully, you can find some scholarships to help offset the costs of studying in Japan.

The Japan Student Services Organization (http://www.jasso.go.jp/index_e.html) has lots of information about studying in Japan and the necessary examinations.

Language School

A language school is the best way to learn a second language. Learning languages is time intensive and these institutions help you make the best use of your time. Some schools are full-time and have their own campuses, while others are small night schools and tutoring centers. There are some variations in curriculum, but, for the most part, success at these schools depends on the motivation and effort of the student.
For students who want to learn basic “Survival” Japanese, attending a language school can give you an edge over others who learn the language themselves, but it is not necessary. In fact, language schools are best for people who are trying to obtain Japanese fluency. For this reason, language schools are only necessary for people who plan to stay in Japan on a long-term basis.
To achieve Ikkyu, the highest JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) level, proficiency requires a year or more of study in a full-time language program. Some schools require 60 hours a week of in class time alone. For these reasons, it can be a waste of money for people to enroll in these programs unless they need Japanese fluency for work or daily life.
See Global University’s article for a list of recommended language schools. (http://www.globaldaigaku.com/global/en/schoolsearch/based/japanese/jlsindex.html)
Check the Japanese Language School Database for a complete list to help find a school near you: http://www.aikgroup.co.jp/j-school/english/index.htm.

College

The system of higher education in Japan, not unlike in most Western nations, includes universities, colleges, junior colleges, vocational schools and technical schools. They range from large to small, affordable to expensive, and effortless to challenging. If a Japanese style university curriculum is not to your taste, then there is also a wealth of foreign universities that offer courses.
For a master site with links to the many different schools pages check:
http://www.bulter.nl/universities/university.asp?CountryID=9
Acceptance to a Japanese university can be complicated. Aside from some basic guidelines, applicants must be over 18 and have 12 years of prior education; they require an International Baccalaureate Certificate to enroll. Furthermore, foreign students are required to take language proficiency examinations, as well as Uniformed Tests in Science and the Humanities. This goes for all colleges, whether national, public or private. For more in formation, contact The Association of International Education Japan (TEL: 03-5454-5213).
Foreign schools often require much less hassle. Instead of language proficiency tests and interviews, applicants are approved based on their academic standing in Senior High School, standardized test scores and an essay about why they wish to study abroad. Students are able to graduate by taking their classes in English. There is the added benefit that more of the courses and credits will transfer in the event that you decide to study somewhere else.

• Temple University – Temple University is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They have many abroad campuses, the largest of which is in Azabu, Tokyo. The school is planning to relocate to Roppongi in the near future. Most of the student body is Japanese students who want to study at an American university without leaving Japan. The programs for non-native English speakers (APP) who are trying to prepare for college level work English are especially well recognized. Temple sticks out as the only foreign school that you can graduate from in Japan. http://www.temple.edu/

http://www.tuj.ac.jp/newsite/main/index.html

• Waseda University – Waseda was founded in 1882 by Shigenobu Okuma, a famous scholar and government leader. Now the school is one of Japan's top private, coeducational institutions for higher learning. It has grown to become a comprehensive university with two senior high schools and an Art and Architecture School. Waseda also benefits from outstanding international ties and one of the highest reputations. The campus is located in western Tokyo near Takadanobaba. http://www.waseda.jp/top/index-e.html
• Sophia University – Founded in 1549 Sophia University is another prestigious school. Although not as connected internationally as Waseda, Sophia is recognized as one of the best schools Japan has to offer. They used to have two campuses, one English and one Japanese, but now they are combined into a single campus in Yotsuya. http://www.sophia.ac.jp/E/E_toppage.nsf/

Kindergarten – High School

Kindergarten through High School is a very important developmental time for children and it is crucial to select the right school. Japan offers many different types and styles of education. The hardest part is making a decision.

Kindergarten – age 3 and up.
Elementary School – age 6 and up, grades 1 through 6.
Junior High School – age 12 and up, grade 7 through 9.
Senior High School – age 15 and up, grades 10 through 12. Senior High School is not compulsory.

Types of School:

• Public School – There are some public school options available. They will require a uniform except for elementary and all have PTA (Parent Teacher Associations), although joining may require a small fee. Lunches are provided and the students eat along with the teachers. Japanese schools begin in April and end in March. For those of you who can understand Japanese, try this site: http://www.tokyoshigaku.com/.
• Private School – These schools tend to focus on your child’s specific needs, but they come in too many variations to list. Be aware that private schools will have a uniform, or at least a dress code, which your child will need to abide by. School lunches will probably not be provided. You will need to apply directly to these schools. Contact the Association of Private Junior and Senior High Schools in Tokyo at 03-3263-0541.
• International School – One of the hardest things that expatriate parents struggle with is whether or not to send their kid to an international school. They are more expensive than regular schools, but offer an international curriculum and diverse student body. In some cases, a company will cover tuition for expatriate students to study at an international school. Admissions requirements vary from school to school, but are generally expensive. Articles are regularly written about which schools perform best, http://metropolis.japantoday.com/specials/640/school_1.htm. For a list of English speaking institutions: http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7106.html

Entrance Exams:

Metropolitan High Schools – These schools will have both an interview and an entrance examination. To qualify, students must have completed 9 years of prior education and be at least 15 years of age by April 1st of their enrollment year.
International Schools – Some International Schools are operated as private schools, but schools like Tokyo Metropolitan International Senior High School (TEL: 03-3468-6811) hold entrance exams during February and September. The test can be taken in Japanese or English and will require an interview.
Private High Schools – Admissions procedures differ greatly from school to school, so you will want to contact the Association of Private Junior and Senior High Schools in Tokyo (03-3263-0541).

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