International schools are gaining attention as places to acquire English education and international awareness. However, their tuition fees are generally high, posing a significant burden on many families. This article provides a detailed explanation of the tuition fees of international schools in Japan and discusses ways to reduce costs, such as through free education and tuition support grants.

Tuition Fees of International Schools

The average tuition fees for international schools in Japan are approximately ¥2,000,000 to ¥3,000,000 per year in Tokyo. Compared to other countries such as New York in the United States, Beijing in China, and Zurich in Switzerland, the fees in Japan might be considered relatively reasonable.

Tuition fees at international schools include not only tuition but also additional costs such as school trips, excursions, PTA fees, school supplies, extracurricular activity fees, transportation fees, school bus fees, and uniform costs. Furthermore, there may be additional costs for home study materials, cram schools, sports, and other extracurricular activities.

In addition, there are generally entrance exam fees (30,000 to 50,000 yen) and admission fees ranging from 500,000 to 1,800,000 yen.

Tuition Fees for Major International Schools

ASIJ
https://www.asij.ac.jp/admissions/tuition-fees

British School in Tokyo
https://www.bst.ac.jp/admissions/fees

Nishimachi International School
https://www.nishimachi.ac.jp/admissions/tuition-fees

Seisen International School
https://www.seisen.com/join-us/tuition-fees

St. Mary's International School
https://www.smis.ac.jp/admissions/tuition-fees

Ways to Reduce International School Tuition Fees

Nursery Schools and Kindergartens

From the April 1st following a child's third birthday until they enter elementary school, early childhood education and care are free of charge up to a monthly limit.

Elementary and Middle Schools

If the school is accredited as an “Ichijo School（一条校認定）,” it is recognized as compulsory education, and there are no tuition fees. Unaccredited schools are not eligible for free education.

High Schools

If the school is designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology or accredited by an international evaluation organization, it is eligible for private school tuition support grants.

The following foreign schools are designated as eligible for the high school education support fund program.

https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shotou/mushouka/1307345.htm

Public elementary and middle schools offer free tuition as they are part of compulsory education. Private schools have also seen reduced tuition burdens due to the tuition support grants provided since the 2020 academic year. For international schools, it can cost between ¥24,000,000 and ¥36,000,000 for the entire 12 years from elementary to high school.

Points for Making an Appropriate Choice

While the tuition fees for international schools are higher compared to public and private schools, there are ways to reduce costs through support grants and online courses.

When choosing a school, it is important to understand the benefits and drawbacks and carefully consider the necessary budget. Use this information as a reference to find the best educational environment that suits your child's future and goals.