Non-tuition costs keep private high schools beyond reach in Japan
A Save the Children Japan survey found that 27% of first-year senior high school respondents had ruled out private schools over additional expenses.
Japan’s tuition-free policy for private high schools, introduced in April, has left financial barriers for some families, according to Save the Children Japan. Among first-year senior high school students surveyed, 27% said anticipated costs beyond tuition had prevented them from considering private schools.
The nonprofit found that school charges at entry, including facility maintenance and air-conditioning fees, averaged ¥147,526 for private high schools—more than twice the amount a year earlier. Admission fees reached an average of ¥173,135, about 1.2 times the previous year’s level. Uniforms, sportswear and commuter passes also cost more.
For half of parents with children attending private high schools, the risk of having to withdraw their children because of financial difficulties had been a major concern at enrollment.
More than 60% of parents and students surveyed wanted schools to own and provide computers and tablets. Device-purchase assistance was available to 54.7% of public-school students but only 7% of private-school students. Families with children in private high schools spent about ¥100,000 on average to buy the equipment.
The online survey took place in May and June among households enrolled in the organization’s child benefit program. Its 550 valid responses comprised 425 parents and 125 students in their first year of junior high or high school across Japan.
Chiba University professor Yuji Shirakawa, who assisted with the survey, urged schools to review admission fees and other charges, provide school-owned learning materials and encourage graduating students to pass used items to newcomers.
