Enrolling a foreign child in a Japanese school: process and support

For school enrollment in Japan, your foreign child can go to a public school, but you are not legally required to send them. As of October 2026, the national guideline says the attendance duty is not imposed on foreign parents, and that public elementary and junior high schools should accept your child if you want it. Tuition and textbooks are free. Lunch and grade fees are paid monthly. You apply through your city or ward board of education.

This page covers the public system. For private international schools, see international school costs.

Is school compulsory for foreigners?

No. Under the national guideline (revised 28 August 2026), parents of foreign children aged 6 to 15 are not under the attendance duty of the School Education Act. Foreign children are not on the official school register (学齢簿) either.

That does not mean the system ignores them. The same guideline asks every city to:

• Keep its own record of foreign children from the resident registry.
• Mail families a school enrollment notice (就学案内) explaining how to enter public school.
• Use the languages local foreign residents speak when it does.
• Tell families about school aid (就学援助).

The ministry says its latest survey found about 9,000 foreign children who may not be in school. If your child is not enrolled anywhere, the guideline says cities should reach out and, where possible, offer pre-school classes with first-stage Japanese and school-life guidance.

What does it cost?

Public elementary and junior high schools do not charge tuition, and textbooks are handed out free, the same as for Japanese children. Lunch fees and grade fees (学年費) are paid every month. MEXT’s leaflet says families who cannot pay for economic reasons can get school aid for supplies and lunch if the board of education recognizes the need. Amounts vary by city, so ask your ward.

When can my child start?

According to MEXT’s leaflet for foreign families, a child can enter elementary school from the first April after turning six. Elementary school lasts six years, then junior high lasts three. The leaflet is older (it was posted in 2015), so treat it as the outline and confirm dates with your city.

How to enroll

Steps follow MEXT’s leaflet. Cities differ in forms and dates.

Example: Setagaya Ward (Tokyo)

Setagaya shows how one ward runs it. As of October 2026:

• You apply to the Board of Education’s School Affairs Division (学務課). Branch offices cannot accept applications.
• The ward publishes procedure guides in 13 languages, including English, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Indonesian, Nepali, Hindi, Vietnamese and Portuguese.
• For April 2027 entry, children registered in the ward at the end of September 2026 get an application notice by mail from October. Health checkups for new first-graders run from early October to late November. Applications received by the end of November get the enrollment notice (就学通知書) around January.
• This is a formal enrollment, not a trial. If you decide not to enroll, tell the School Affairs Division.
• If you need an interpreter, the page suggests applying in person with a Japanese-speaking companion. If you apply online, staff may phone you in Japanese, and the result may not be sent if they cannot reach you.

Which school will my child go to?

Usually the public school for your address. Setagaya says assignment is based on where you live and you generally cannot choose freely. The national guideline gives cities some room. If the local school cannot support foreign children but another can, or too many foreign children are concentrated at one school, the board may designate a different school with attention to your child’s commute and your wishes. After assignment you can ask for a change, and the board should explain how.

Which grade, and what if my child doesn’t speak Japanese?

In principle, your child enters the grade that matches their age. The guideline allows exceptions. If limited Japanese or a different curriculum makes that grade unsuitable, the school may allow temporary or formal entry to a lower grade. If your home country has fewer than nine years of compulsory education, school-age children can ask for the age-equivalent grade instead. Schools can also offer extra tutoring and, if you ask, hold a child back at promotion or graduation. The school should explain these choices to you and your child before deciding.

MEXT says schools should pay attention to Japanese-language instruction and life guidance. What this looks like depends on your city. Setagaya has a counseling office for returnee and foreign children that offers enrollment and advancement support and supplementary classes. Ask your board of education whether your city has something similar, and about free Japanese classes for adults for yourself.

Children with disabilities

Placement works the same as for Japanese children. The board looks at the child’s needs, your views and expert opinions. The guideline says officials should explain carefully because language, school systems and culture differ.

What about preschool, high school and other costs?

• Before elementary school. The guideline asks cities to make kindergarten and certified-center admissions available in several languages. See daycare and kindergarten for foreign families.
• High school. It comes after compulsory schooling and is not covered here. For funding, see scholarships for foreign residents.
• Official guidebook. MEXT publishes an enrollment guide in English, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish and Ukrainian.

Before you go

• Ask the ward which documents to bring. The national guideline does not give a checklist. Setagaya’s page says someone other than a parent needs a power of attorney.
• Ask the board whether they have interpreters or a language-support program.
• If you are not sure about your visa, ask the immigration bureau or a 行政書士. This page is general information, not legal advice.