Important information for foreign nationals who are considering enrolling their child into a public elementary school in Tokyo, Japan

A lot of information is required when enrolling a child into school, especially if you are a foreign family living in Japan. 

In this section, we will introduce the structure of public elementary schools in Tokyo, the system for accepting foreign children, procedures, consultation services, and other useful information.

About public elementary schools in Tokyo, Japan

Current situation and structure of public elementary schools in Tokyo

There are 1,267 public elementary schools in Tokyo (as of April 1, 2020).

In Japan, children attend elementary school for six years from the age of six. The school year starts in April, and schools either split the academic year into two-semesters or three-semesters. 

Costs for public elementary school

Tuition and textbooks are free in public elementary schools.

Regular expenses include school lunch, which costs about 4,000 yen per month. This is not a bad price especially when the menu is well thought out with children’s nutritional balance in mind. If there are any food allergies, please consult with the teachers in advance so that they can be prepared appropriately.

In addition, there are other fees for teaching materials, school trips, and other events, which are collected on a case-by-case basis.

Main items required for public elementary schools

Japanese elementary schools often require the use of randoseru (firm-sided school backpack) to carry students’ belongings to and from school. However, some schools do not require them, so please check in advance when you decide which school to attend.

You will also need a stationery box, indoor shoes (for the classroom and gymnasium), gym clothes, and a paint set. Depending on the grade, students may also need a calligraphy set, a melodica, and a recorder.

Acceptance system and language support at school

Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s support system for children who are struggling with Japanese

Public elementary schools in Tokyo are making various efforts to help children who can not speak or understand Japanese at an adequate level.

Some schools have international classes, some send volunteer interpreters, some have Japanese language classes, and some have Japanese language instructors who provide individual tutoring.The support varies from ward to ward and school to school, but there are many elementary schools that have prepared to accept and support foreign students in their education.

In addition to English, there are also elementary schools that provide Chinese and Korean interpretation support.

English Support Course (ESC) opened at two elementary schools in Minato Ward

In Minato Ward, two elementary schools – Higashimachi Elementary School (all grades) and Nanzan Elementary School (grades 1-4) – offer English Support Courses (ESC) in response to the higher number of foreign families living in this area. International classroom instructors are assigned to provide classes in English to foreign children.

Not all ESC classes are taught in separate classrooms from Japanese children.  Instead, some ESC classes have both Japanese and foreign students, creating an environment where they can work collaboratively and learn about each other’s cultures and values.

Schooling Support for Foreign Elementary School Students in Nakano Ward

Nakano Ward provides a variety of support for foreign families and their elementary school-aged children looking to enroll into a local Japanese school.

Prior to enrollment, the Education Support Office will explain about the school, coordinate a schedule with the school, and accompany the child to the school. After enrollment, the Education Support Office will  dispatch Japanese language instructors (up to 80 hours), provide study guidance (one or two days a week), and even coordinate foreign/exchange students to talk to during school lunch breaks (once or twice a week).

Procedures and consultation services for parents with foreign children enrolled in public elementary schools in Tokyo

School enrollment procedures

The first step in enrolling a child into a public elementary school in Tokyo is for the parent or guardian to go to the municipal office of the ward, city, town or village where the child lives and complete the necessary procedures with the Board of Education. After that, the school will be decided according to your home address.

The contact information for the board of education is here (in Roman characters).

Education Consultation Desk

There is an Educational Counseling Center that provides counseling on education and bullying.

The counseling service is available in Japanese over the phone, but if you make an appointment in person (by phone in advance), you can consult with an interpreter.

Available languages are Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, and the center is open every Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Living Support Guide

The Ministry of Justice has a portal site called A Daily Life Support For Foreign Nationals that provide general information about living in Japan in many languages. This portal site is available in many languages, including Japanese, simplified Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Nepali, Thai, Indonesian, Myanmarese, Khmer (Cambodian), Filipino, and Mongolian.

Schooling Assistance Program

If you have financial difficulties in enrolling a child into elementary school, you can take advantage of aid programs for school supplies, school lunches, and medical expenses.

The application procedures and the contents of the aid vary from ward to ward. <L> Please contact the board of education of your ward, city, town or village. Please click on the button for your city, town or village. Many municipalities have their own websites with multilingual explanations.

Summary

If you have children and are thinking of moving to a new city, prior research could save you from a lot of trouble. As what many families in Japan do, we recommend you to do some research before moving and decide which school you want to send your children to. After that, you can find a place to live within the school district of that public elementary school. To all foreign national families planning to send their child to a public elementary school in Japan, JAPANBOX hopes that your child will have a fulfilling school life in Japan.

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