One of the most significant changes taking effect in April 2026 is Japan’s nationwide free high school tuition policy. The government abolished income limits on tuition subsidies, making Japanese high school effectively free for virtually all families regardless of income.
What changed from April 2026?
| School type | Before Apr 2026 | From Apr 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese public high school | Free from Apr 2025 | Free ✅ |
| Japanese private school (all incomes) | Subsidy up to ¥396,000 (income cap applied) | ¥457,000 — all incomes ✅ |
| International school in Japan | Not covered ❌ | Still NOT covered ❌ |
Do expat children qualify?
Yes — if your child attends a Japanese high school, public or private. The subsidy is available to all households regardless of nationality, provided the child holds valid long-term residence status and the family is registered as residents in Japan.
What is NOT covered?
- School entrance fees: Often ¥100,000–300,000
- Uniforms: ¥50,000–100,000
- Textbooks, school trips, extracurricular fees, transport
Are international schools excluded?
Yes — explicitly. International schools (ASIJ, British School, Tokyo YMCA International School etc.) are outside the national tuition support system. Full fees still apply.
New child support contribution from April 2026
Japan introduced a new child support contribution deducted from health insurance premiums. Workers earning ¥6M pay ~¥575/month, those earning ¥8M pay ~¥767/month. Applies to all workers in Japan including foreign residents, regardless of whether you have children.
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