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Wellness

Educational Costs, impacting life choices

A 2021 survey (1) found that both public and private education costs had reached new highs. The cost of 15 years of private education was 3.2 times the cost of public education.

Study costs, 15 years from Kindergarten through High School¥ m
Public only5.7
Private kindergarten, Public thereafter6.2
Private kindergarten and High school, Public at other times7.8
Private only18.4

Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, sports, Science, and Technology

In addition to the difference in classroom tuition costs, other normal school related costs (excursions and field trips, extracurricular activities, textbooks and supplies, commuting costs) are higher at private schools. (2)

However, the relative cost is markedly highest at elementary schools.

 PublicPrivateMultiple
Kindergarten¥165,126¥308,9091.9x
Elementary¥352,566¥1,666,9494.7x
Junior high¥538,799¥1,436,3532.7x
High school¥512,971¥1,054,4442.1x

In the case of private elementary schools, the cost of supplementary study expenses is notably higher, approximately ¥663,000 a year versus ¥245,000 a year. (1) The probable additional service being provided is keeping the children at the school for three hours or so after the end of normal classes. This targets the “First-Grade Wall” (3) which relates to children advancing from kindergarten to elementary school at age 6.

Kindergarten3 yearsAge 3-5Optional
Elementary school6 yearsAge 6-11Compulsory
Junior high school3 yearsAge12-14Compulsory
High school3 yearsAge 15-17Optional

Public elementary schools send children home mid-afternoon. Parents are then responsible for their safety. Choices include one spouse changing from full-time to part-time work, everyday private lessons, or sports activities outside school, or finding regular after-school care.

The private school option is an expensive one.

Financial planning needs to start as early as possible.

References:

  1. Public and Private education Costs in Japan Soar to New Highs, Nippon.com, January 11, 2023
  2. Private School Costs triple Public Education Level Through High School, Nippon.com, October 4, 2018
  3. First-Grade Wall: Elementary School Places New Burdens on Working Parents, Nippon.com, January 4, 2023

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By Peter Eadon-Clarke

Advisor, Conceptasia Inc.
Peter Eadon-Clarke is a specialist in J-Wellness, product and technique trends, wellness tourism and the Stress Check Program. Peter has extensive experience managing complex multicultural teams; roles held during 14 years at Macquarie Capital Securities (Japan) limited included branch manager, global head of economics and Tokyo head of research. Previously, positions included UBS Trust and Banking in Tokyo as chief investment officer, CIO at Sumitomo Life Investment and CIO for the Pacific Basin at GT (now Invesco).