Japan School Registration and Fees

So you want your child to attend a Japanese school? Maybe you want some kind of bilingual education. Maybe you need to save money for international or boarding schools during the years that matter (junior high or senior high). Whatever the case, I'll document my experience and you can guess from this what might be needed or what to expect.

In the UK and US, public schools are generally free to attend, minus lunch fees. (Or they are paid for by tax dollars anyway). I can't say that I know much about other fees involved there but in my case, my daughter attended a lottery school in Portland for Japanese immersion. Low-income people can receive free or reduced lunches.

In the UK, she went to a Church of England school. (It is quite bizarre that almost every public school is Catholic or Anglican. I found it surprising.) Westminster city provides year reception - year 2 students free meals regardless of income. Textbooks were free in both the US and UK schools. 

In Japan, fees range from 59,000 - 85,000 yen per year depending on the grade. The lower end is for first year students. The upper end is for sixth year students. These fees will vary based on ward or city throughout Japan. You will pay the fee monthly from your Japan Post account, though the first payment might be made in cash if this is impossible. I am not sure if other cities or schools will allow a regular bank account. 

The fee breakdown is this: 

給食費 (School Lunch Expense) 

学年費 (Student Year Expense)  I am guessing textbooks + attendance

PTA 会費  (Parent teacher association)

There is also the auto bank transfer fee if you go this route but the cost is negligible (10 yen or so)

To register for school, you have to be living in the ward and registered with the city office. You can find your nearest school and some basic info here:    http://www.gaccom.jp/en

Then you have an appointment with the school directly, sign a bunch of documents and you're ready to go. You'll receive a confirmation letter of registration from the city office within 1-2 days (up to a week) later. 

On a minor side note, neither I or my daughter are registered as living in the ward. I don't have my visa yet but my daughter is Japanese. They didn't want to do resident registration (JUUMIN TOROKU) by herself.  I also let them know that I have things to do daily and she's too old to go to a daycare (HOIKUEN), so they had better figure out a solution. So basically, you can provide a lease document or a letter from the person you live with if you are renting a room or subletting. They will put education above anything else, since all kids have a right to receive an education in Japan.

On another note, the city office also provides help with fees. I am not sure if its income based or the entire cost is covered but if you are registered officially in the city, you should apply for that.