Japan education costs: Rising private school fees and tuition waiver impacts

Recent data highlights shifting trends in Japanese educational costs and enrollment following changes in tuition subsidy policies. In Kyoto, a survey of 83 high schools (including public, private, and national institutions) examined the impact of the nationwide high school tuition waiver program implemented this spring.

Meanwhile, in Tokyo, the Metropolitan Bureau of Social and Cultural Affairs reported that the average first-year enrollment fee for 184 private middle schools is projected to reach approximately 1.04 million yen for the 2026 academic year. This represents a 1.4 percent increase from the previous year and marks the fifth consecutive year of rising costs. While 51 schools raised their fees, only three decreased them.