Education

Japanese education system

Japanese school education basically consists of six years at elementary school, three years at junior high school, three years at senior high school, and four years at university.
The Japanese school year starts in April and finishes the following March.

Related link
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology - Guidebook for Starting School for Foreign Students（外部サイトへリンク）  (External link)
*English, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is an educational facility for children aged three and upwards prior to entering elementary school.
● For municipal kindergartens
Eligibility: Children aged five as of April 1 of the year of entry to the kindergarten and living in Okinawa City
Application: Informed around October every year.
Childcare fee: Free *Lunch payments, etc. are not required.
Contact for inquiries: Hoiku-Yochien ka (Child Care/Kindergarten Division) - Admissions section
TEL: 098-939-1212 (Extension No. 3136, 3135) or each kindergarten

Elementary school & junior high school

Guardians of children with Japanese nationality aged 6 to 15 years old must send their children to school.
This is deemed "compulsory education". Children go to the elementary school from six years old, and to junior high school from 12 to 15 years old.
Children with foreign nationality are not subject to compulsory education, but if admission to a Japanese school is requested, they can enter elementary school or junior high school as appropriate. Please apply at the city hall when registering one's residence.

In October, a "notification to start school (information on admissions)" is sent from the city hall to households with children eligible to enter elementary or junior high school in the following April provided that their residence registration has already been completed.
Please complete the procedures at the designated school by bringing the "notification to start school".

Contact for inquiries: Gakumu ka (Educational Affairs Division)
TEL: 098-937-6602

Assistance for school education

Elementary school and junior high school students from families with low income are eligible to receive subsidies for necessary school supplies (school bag, uniform, stationary, etc.) and school lunches, etc. in order to study at school.
Contact for inquiries: Gakumu ka (Educational Affairs Division)
TEL: 098-937-6602

Clubs for after-school activities for children

Elementary school students whose guardians may not be home due to work, etc., can safely play and spend time at after-school facilities.
In order to use them, application is required at the pre-determined time. A usage fee also applies.

About clubs for after-school activities for children in Okinawa City

Contact for inquiries: Kodomo Katei ka (Children's Welfare Division)
TEL: 098-939-1212

Trial enrollment for children of foreign nationality

Children of foreign nationality may try out school life before entering any kindergarten, elementary school, or junior high school in Okinawa City. The trial period is about a week.
Contact for inquiries: Okinawa City Board of Education - Shido ka (Guidance Division)
TEL: 098-939-1212