Daily Life Lessons · School
Learn how paths after junior high school (such as going on to high school) are decided and how entrance exams and financial support work, and be able to talk with the school or board of education early and think about your child's path together.
Paths after junior high school include going on to high school or other schools, or getting a job. High school is not compulsory education, and in most cases students enter by taking an entrance selection (entrance exam, 入試). In the third year of junior high school, the student, parent and homeroom teacher often discuss the future path in a three-way meeting (三者面談) or similar. Entrance exam systems differ by prefecture, so start gathering information early.
Some prefectures have special selections or exam accommodations for foreign students who have recently arrived in Japan. Check with the school or the board of education.
For high school tuition, there is the national High School Tuition Support Fund (高等学校等就学支援金), and from fiscal 2026 the income limit has been removed. For students who do not have Japanese nationality, eligibility depends on their status of residence (在留資格). Even if a student is not eligible, other support may be available, so check with the school and complete the procedure.
中学校を 卒業（そつぎょう）した あとの ことを「進路（しんろ）」と いいます。
- 高校（こうこう）は 義務教育（ぎむきょういく）では ありません。 - 高校に 入るには、ふつう 試験（しけん）を 受けます。 - 中学3年生に なると、先生と 保護者と 子どもで 話します（三者面談・さんしゃめんだん）。
早く から 準備（じゅんび）しましょう。 外国人の 生徒の ための 特別な 試験が ある 県も あります。学校で 聞きましょう。
高校の 授業料（じゅぎょうりょう）は、国の お金の 支援（しえん）が あります。 外国人は、在留資格（ざいりゅうしかく）に よって 対象（たいしょう）か どうかが ちがいます。 申請（しんせい）が 必要です。学校に 聞きましょう。
Which statement about Japanese high schools is correct?
High school is not compulsory education. In most cases there is an entrance selection (entrance exam).
What is a sansha mendan (三者面談)?
Many junior high schools hold it during the period when students decide their future path.
Which statement about special selections or accommodations for foreign students is correct?
Whether they exist and their conditions differ by prefecture and by year, so check with the school or the board of education.
Which statement about high school tuition support (the High School Tuition Support Fund) is correct?
The income limit was removed from fiscal 2026. For students without Japanese nationality, eligibility depends on their status of residence (other support may be available even if they are not eligible). An application is required.
When is it good to start gathering information about future paths?
Entrance exam systems differ by region, so gathering information early gives you peace of mind.
Q. Can someone enter high school without having graduated from junior high school?
A. To enter high school, you generally need to have graduated from junior high school, among other requirements. For those who have not graduated, there are options such as studying at an evening junior high school (夜間中学) or taking the Examination for Certification of Junior High School Graduation Level (中学校卒業程度認定試験). Consult the board of education in the area where you live.
Q. What costs are there besides tuition?
A. There are costs for teaching materials, uniforms, school trips and so on. Depending on conditions such as income, you may be able to use your prefecture's scholarship grant for high school students (高校生等奨学給付金). Check with the school or your prefecture.
Q. Can my child work in Japan after graduating from high school?
A. Depending on the status of residence, a change of status of residence may be needed when getting a job. Check information from the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) early, and ask for advice if needed.
This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.
Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original