School, Nursery School, Kindergarten and Education for Returnees

(excerpted from "Daily Living Guide For Foreign Residents of Yokohama" (avialable at ward offices for free)
edited by The Research Association of Living Information Services for Foreign Residents,
published by Yokohama Association for International Communications and Exchanges)

In Japan all schools, nursery schools and kindergartens begin in April. Regarding elementary school (sho-ga-kko), junior high school (chu-ga-kko), senior high school (ko-ko) and nursery/kindergarten (yochien), the year is generally divided into three terms. The first term is from April to July, the second from September to December, and the third term from January to march. At the end of each term, there are usually summer, winter and spring vacations.

The age for nursery school entry is from 3 years old for a three -year nursery, and from 4 years old for a two -year nursery (the most popular). Children must have become the admission age by April first of that year similarly, for elementary school, children must be 6 years old by April first. In the case of public school, it is necessary that the child has completed his resident registration. In the case of public junior high school, after completion of resident registration and after completion of the elementary school course of 6 years, a child may enter junior high school. After completion of the elementary school and junior high school courses of 9 years and by passing an entrance examination, children may enter senior high school.

For small children of working mothers (0 years to elementary school. entrance age), nurseries are available for longer hours than regular nursery schools.

Special treatment is available for children or students who have lived abroad for some years and did not receive education in Japan.

For children or students returning temporarily to Japan for summer vacations etc. a so-called "school experience" program of attending regular public school is offered. These programs may help to lessen cultural shock for returnees and provide for smoother adaptation to Japanese school and society.

For applications and inquiries (including information on transferring within the school. year) contact the relevant offices and associations.

Information is also available on international schools and other schools where classes are held in English.

References

Ward Offices

 For more information please contact to:
Yokohama Association for International Communications and Exchanges
Tel: 045-671-7128
Address: Yamashita-cho 2, Sangyo Boeki Center Bldg. 3rd Floor,
Naka-ku, Yokohama 231

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