Tokyo to Increase Support for International Schools to Attract Foreign Talent

Why Tokyo is turning to international schools now

Tokyo is preparing a new push to expand international school options, with the metropolitan government set to roll out comprehensive support as early as November. The goal is to attract more schools to open or grow in the capital, broaden high quality choices for families, and make the city a stronger magnet for global talent. Families deciding whether to relocate often place schooling near the top of their checklist. In competitive global cities, the breadth, cost, and reliability of schooling can make or break a move.

Japan faces a tight labor market and a rapidly aging population. At the same time, many multinational companies anchor their regional operations in Tokyo, and fast growing firms seek to scale teams in Japan. When a company asks an engineer, researcher, or manager to move to Tokyo, the first questions often concern how quickly children can settle into an English medium classroom, whether the curriculum aligns with future university pathways, and whether the commute will be manageable. Those questions are easier to answer when the school ecosystem is deep and geographically balanced.

The metropolitan plan signals that City Hall sees education capacity as critical infrastructure for a global hub. International schools support relocation decisions for experienced hires, help internationally mobile families make long term commitments to the city, and create confidence for employers planning to expand here. More supply can also benefit Japanese families that want an English medium environment or specific curricula, a trend that has gathered pace across the capital.

What the new support could look like

Officials describe the upcoming package as comprehensive support for international schools. Detailed measures have not yet been released. The needs and hurdles for schools that try to open or expand in dense, high cost cities are well known, and those factors shape how quickly schools can come to market and how many seats they can offer.

Typical barriers for new schools

• Identifying suitable campus sites that are accessible to families, given high real estate prices and limited land availability
• Navigating licensing and approvals, including use changes for buildings and compliance with safety standards
• Recruiting qualified teachers and leaders, plus managing visas and relocation support
• Securing accreditation and curriculum authorizations, such as International Baccalaureate or Cambridge programs
• Providing transport options and meeting safety expectations for younger students
• Designing robust English support and language learning pathways that match diverse student backgrounds
• Building capacity for learning support services to meet mild to moderate needs
• Offering family services that help newcomers settle, including after school care and community connections
• Establishing sustainable fee levels and financial planning in a city with high operating costs

Areas a comprehensive plan may address

• A dedicated liaison function to guide schools through planning, regulatory steps, and neighborhood engagement
• Assistance with site identification or introductions to property owners, including potential use of vacant or underused facilities
• Support for teacher recruitment and information on visas, certification, and onboarding in Japan
• Guidance on accreditation timelines, curriculum authorization processes, and transitions for relocating students
• Coordination with local services, including transport links and safety planning
• Encouragement of partnerships that expand English support and learning support capacity
• Data and planning tools that help schools forecast demand by neighborhood

Demand is shifting: Japanese families join the international track

International schools in Tokyo serve expatriate families, returnee Japanese students who have studied abroad, and a growing number of locally based families who want an English medium education. One visible example is the Global Indian International School in Edogawa Ward. The school began as a hub for Indian expatriates. Japanese students now make up more than half of its enrollment across four campuses serving about 1,400 students from kindergarten through high school. Classes are in English, math and science are emphasized, and students can choose second languages. The school offers multiple international pathways, including International Baccalaureate, Cambridge IGCSE, and India’s CBSE. These are recognized for university entrance in Japan and abroad, and around 60 percent of graduates continue on to Japanese universities.

Affordability plays a role. Some families find that schools like this offer a global education at lower tuition levels than many Western affiliated international schools. Cultural programs such as tabla drumming and Bharatanatyam dance sit alongside coding lessons and international curricula, appealing to a broad mix of families. The Tokyo government’s focus on expanding supply comes at a time when demand from both expatriate and Japanese households is diversifying, with parents weighing cost, curriculum, culture, and future university goals.

Inside Tokyo’s international school ecosystem

Tokyo and the surrounding metropolitan area have a varied network of international schools. Some are large, multi campus institutions with a full International Baccalaureate continuum. Others are smaller schools with targeted programs, strong language offerings, or community partnerships. A number of families also consider nearby Yokohama, where English medium schools serve the wider region.

Aoba Japan International School is an IB Continuum World School with multiple campuses and a strong record of university progression. It enrolls about 790 students from 46 nationalities and is accredited by the International Baccalaureate, the Council of International Schools, and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The school highlights technology integration, bilingual study options, and collaboration with businesses and universities. Affiliated preschools in Tokyo extend this ecosystem down to early years.

Tokyo International School operates the IB Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes, with English as the language of instruction and Japanese taught from kindergarten to grade 10. It offers English as an Additional Language support, especially in the primary years, and has a learning support team that works with teachers to differentiate instruction. The school emphasizes safeguarding. Staff provide police clearance from countries where they have lived and worked since adulthood, references are rigorously checked, and staff receive training to recognize and report suspected abuse. Families can access a wide co curricular program and extended childcare after classes. The school does not offer financial assistance or scholarships, and it runs a Corporate Contribution Program for companies that choose to sponsor seats.

At Canadian International School, admissions are based on English and math readiness, prior school reports, and interviews. The school requires at least one parent to be a functional English speaker who can communicate with teachers. Students are placed by age, and a language support team works with younger learners in grades 1 to 3. The school does not have a separate ESL stream, and there is no language support for students in grades 9 to 12, reflecting the higher language demands of senior courses.

Yokohama International School, which serves the Yokohama and Tokyo metropolitan area, welcomes students on temporary assignments for whom Japanese public schools may not be a fit. Eligibility includes at least one parent fluent in English and residence with a parent within commuting distance. Overseas applications are accepted year round, with defined windows for some grades. These policies illustrate how the wider regional network supports Tokyo based families.

How admissions policies shape access

Parental English requirements and grade level language expectations can be decisive for families. Many schools can support English learners in the primary years but expect strong, independent reading and writing by middle school. Senior school entry often requires near fluent English. Families where neither parent speaks English fluently may find a narrow set of options, while returnee students or those with prior international schooling usually have a smoother path. Clear information and early planning help families map the right pathway.

Access and affordability remain key challenges

Cost is a common concern. Operating international schools in central Tokyo is expensive, and that is reflected in fees. Some schools do not provide financial aid, placing most of the burden on families or employers. Corporate contribution programs can help, but not all families have corporate support. Lower fee schools broaden access, though places can still be limited in popular neighborhoods. Commute times, campus space, and transportation are additional factors for families weighing tradeoffs.

Policy support that expands the number of seats, brings new providers into the market, and encourages geographic balance across wards could ease pressure. It can also reduce uncertainty for relocating families who need a place mid year. For educators, a predictable pathway to open new campuses or convert suitable buildings can unlock growth while keeping standards high. A deeper and more distributed ecosystem helps families find a fit that works for their budget, commute, and academic goals.

Specialized support for diverse learning needs

Families with children who learn differently face an extra layer of planning. Tokyo International Progressive School serves grades 4 to 12 and focuses on students with mild learning differences or social and emotional challenges. Class sizes are small, up to 10 students, and the staff includes specialists such as an occupational therapist, speech therapist, counselors, and a learning support coordinator. The program provides differentiated instruction, structured routines, assistive technology, and coaching on study skills. Around 85 percent of graduates proceed to post secondary education worldwide. The school is transparent that it cannot meet extensive learning needs, which underscores how critical it is to match a student’s profile to the right setting.

Why this matters to employers

When a key hire has a child who needs learning support or therapy, access to the right school and services often determines whether a relocation is feasible. Expanding capacity for learning support and clarifying what each school can provide reduces stress for families and helps companies retain talent in Tokyo.

A broader talent strategy for an aging city

Tokyo’s education initiative sits alongside other efforts to support families and strengthen the workforce. The city has introduced a four day workweek option for metropolitan government employees and added flexible childcare leave, with the aim of helping parents balance work and family. Japan’s birth rate has fallen to historic lows, and the median age is among the highest in the world. Policies that make it easier to raise children and sustain dual careers are part of a wider response.

Japan’s national vision for Society 5.0 uses digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and robotics to address challenges in health care, transport, and productivity. Those goals depend on a workforce that blends domestic expertise and international experience. Cities that welcome globally mobile professionals, including their families, are better positioned to adopt and scale new technologies. A reliable international school network is a practical piece of that strategy.

Research on international education shows that students who pursue studies abroad often feed into innovation intensive roles in science and engineering. Countries that create clear study to work pathways tend to capture more of that talent. For Tokyo, a strong kindergarten to grade 12 international school pipeline makes early relocation easier, supports long term settlement, and complements higher education efforts to recruit and retain students.

Immigration politics and community integration

The national conversation on foreign residents has sharpened at times, with some political actors calling for tougher rules while others stress the economic need for international workers. Despite the debate, surveys suggest more people see positive contributions from foreign residents, and crime figures involving foreigners have been flat or declining even as the population has grown. Local communities focus on practical issues such as good behavior, safe streets, and communication.

International schools play a role in building confidence. Robust safeguarding standards, as seen in policies that require background checks and staff training, reassure parents and communities. School based parent networks, volunteer programs, and language learning support help new families integrate. These routines do not grab headlines, yet they contribute to a sense of stability for neighborhoods that welcome newcomers.

What families and employers should watch next

The metropolitan government has flagged an ambitious timetable, with support starting as early as November. Families and employers should watch for a clear roadmap that explains how schools can apply, which areas the city prioritizes, and how expansion will be staged across wards. Equally important are transparency and timelines, so families who move mid year know what options might open and when.

Signals to monitor

• Creation of a one stop contact point in the metropolitan government for international schools
• Opportunities to convert suitable buildings or match schools to public sites
• Startup support that helps new campuses open with sustainable budgets
• Guidance on teacher recruitment, visas, and certification paths
• Commitments to expand English language support and learning support capacity
• Coordination with transport agencies to improve school bus routes and safety
• Public data on current capacity and wait pools by area
• Clear communication on admissions calendars to support mid year arrivals

Quick Facts

• Tokyo plans to launch comprehensive support for international schools as early as November
• The initiative aims to attract more schools to open or expand in the capital
• School availability is a key factor for companies and families deciding on relocation
• Japanese families are enrolling in greater numbers at international schools that offer English medium learning and multiple curricula
• Some schools require at least one English speaking parent and expect near fluent English for higher grade entry
• Specialized options exist for students with mild learning differences, though capacity is limited
• Tokyo is pairing education efforts with family friendly policies such as a four day workweek option for city employees
• Japan’s aging population and low birth rate make talent attraction a priority for government and business
• Expanding the K to 12 international school network supports long term retention of global talent and complements university level internationalization