Yes. A foreign child can attend a Japanese public elementary or junior high school free of tuition if the child and family wish to enroll.
There is, however, one important difference between foreign children and Japanese children.
Parents of Japanese children are legally required to ensure that their children receive compulsory education. Parents of foreign children are not subject to the same legal obligation under Japanese law. Even so, if a foreign child or the child’s parents wish to enroll in a public school providing compulsory education, the child can be accepted.
“Free,” however, does not mean that every cost connected with school life is zero.
Public elementary and junior high schools do not charge tuition, and the textbooks used in class are provided free of charge. Families may still need to pay for items such as school supplies, excursions, and school trips. Households that have difficulty covering these costs may qualify for financial assistance if they meet the relevant conditions.
For families who want to enroll a child, the usual first step is to contact the local board of education in the municipality where they live. Foreign children are not automatically placed in a completely separate school system simply because they are not Japanese citizens. In principle, they attend the same public schools as Japanese students.
However, being able to enroll and being able to follow classes without difficulty are two different things.
A child who does not yet speak enough Japanese may need Japanese-language instruction or support in adapting to school life. The type and level of support available can vary depending on the school and the local area.
So foreign children do not have to pay separate public-school tuition simply because of their nationality. Their legal position regarding compulsory education is different from that of Japanese children, but if they wish to study in a Japanese public elementary or junior high school, they are given access to education free of tuition.
References
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, “Acceptance of Foreign Children into Public Schools Providing Compulsory Education”
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, “Procedures for School Enrollment of Foreign Children and Others”
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, “Overview of Measures for Returnee and Foreign Students”
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, “School Enrollment Guide for Foreign Students”
