Above: Students from St. Mary’s International School, Japan
kindergarten to grade 12, focusing on English language proficiency, cultural understanding, and critical thinking skills. In the Kobe region, a residential
location suitable for those working in Osaka, the longest-standing schools include the Canadian Academy. This is a prestigious international school and it follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, emphasising critical thinking, communication, and global citizenship. With a diverse student body representing various nationalities, the Canadian Academy fosters a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Marist Brothers International
School is a co-educational Catholic school offering education from kindergarten to grade 12. The school focuses on developing critical thinking, creativity, and leadership skills. With a diverse student body representing numerous nationalities, Marist Brothers School provides a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
LANGUAGE AND CULTURE OPTIONS Most offer education in English but there are options for different nationalities including the Lycee Francais International de Tokyo (French); the Deutsche Schule Tokyo Yokohama (German); the India International School in Japan, created in 2004 and about
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to move to new campus in the Koto area, and the Tokyo Chinese School which follows the curriculum of the Republic of China. There has also been a surge in
demand for Tokyo’s international schools from Chinese nationals. Traditionally Chinese students would have been sent to board in the UK but Japan offers a closer alternative, geographically and culturally. “Chinese expats account for
between 40 and 50 per cent of all expats in Tokyo. As the provision of international schools shrinks in China due to regulatory pressure, the demand is being met elsewhere,” says L.E.K’s Sudeep Laad.
NEW SCHOOLS The last few years have seen a mini construction boom in international
schools in the city
and three offshoots of branded UK private schools have recently opened. Harrow International School Appi Japan in 2022 in the Appi Mountains and Malvern College Tokyo are both opening in September 2023. The British School in Tokyo will also open a new campus in Tokyo this summer to cope with increased demand. “Existing schools are running
at high capacity indicating a favourable outlook for these new schools,” says L.E.K’s Sudeep. “It is also expected more British school brands will turn to the Japanese market to address the high growth
in demand.” Other new schools include the
Hakuba International School, founded by a former Goldman Sachs banker, which will open this summer with a curriculum focused on outdoor learning and sustainability. The boarding school is set amongst nature in the beautiful Habuka Valley with a focus on the environment and personal wellbeing. Jinseki International School
opened in 2020 in Hiroshima, Japan’s first full boarding primary school with bilingual learning in English and Japanese, and the Capital Tokyo International School opened last year with a focus on bilingual education. Students are mainly taught in English with some lessons in Japanese and weekly Mandarin Chinese lessons. Despite the many advantages
of living in Japan, there are certain challenges that expats may face. One such challenge is the difficulty of learning the local language, making it challenging to navigate daily life without proficiency in Japanese. Additionally, utilising online administrative services and conducting cashless transactions can pose obstacles and disrupt the smooth functioning of daily activities. However, for those who are able
to overcome these challenges, Japan continues to be a safe, comfortable and stimulating destination for relocation and raising a family.
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