Education
The education system of Japan starts with pre-school education, followed by six years of elementary education, and six years of secondary education (comprised of three years of lower secondary and three years of upper secondary education), which leads to a wide range of higher education. The nine years of elementary and lower secondary education cover compulsory education.
The principles of education in Japan are established by the Basic Act on Education (教育基本法). The basis of the school education system is defined by the School Education Act (学校教育法).
(Notes)
(1) This diagram shows schools regulated by the School Education Act.
(2) The scope of ‘higher education institutions’ subject to the UNESCO ‘Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education’ includes some educational institutions operated by government ministries and agencies (National College of Nursing, Japan; Polytechnic University; and National Fisheries University), in addition to the above.
(3)＊indicates advanced courses
(4) Upper secondary schools, upper division of Secondary Education Schools, universities, junior colleges, and upper secondary department of Schools for Special Needs Education can have separate courses with course terms of 1 year or more.
(5) A child aged from 0 to 2 years old can attend Centers for Early Childhood Education and Care because it functions as school as well as child welfare institution.
(6) Age and admission requirements for Specialized Training College General Courses and Miscellaneous Schools are not defined uniformly.