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 only | 5.7 |
| Private kindergarten, Public thereafter | 6.2 |
| Private kindergarten and High school, Public at other times | 7.8 |
| Private only | 18.4 |
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.
| Public | Private | Multiple | |
| Kindergarten | ¥165,126 | ¥308,909 | 1.9x |
| Elementary | ¥352,566 | ¥1,666,949 | 4.7x |
| Junior high | ¥538,799 | ¥1,436,353 | 2.7x |
| High school | ¥512,971 | ¥1,054,444 | 2.1x |
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.
| Kindergarten | 3 years | Age 3-5 | Optional |
| Elementary school | 6 years | Age 6-11 | Compulsory |
| Junior high school | 3 years | Age12-14 | Compulsory |
| High school | 3 years | Age 15-17 | Optional |
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:
- Public and Private education Costs in Japan Soar to New Highs, Nippon.com, January 11, 2023
- Private School Costs triple Public Education Level Through High School, Nippon.com, October 4, 2018
- First-Grade Wall: Elementary School Places New Burdens on Working Parents, Nippon.com, January 4, 2023