Is it possible for me to go to Japanese high school?

8 comments

1. This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.

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   **Is it possible for me to go to Japanese high school?**

   I am currently a junior in high school (in the US). I am half Japanese, and I can speak Japanese fluently.

   I’ve been wanting to move to Japan for University, but I also wanted to go to a Japanese high school for my senior year. I’ve asked people that has some knowledge on this, and they said that I could do it if I graduated a semester early, but they weren’t so sure about it.

   I’ve done a lot of research on this topic, but most people are not in a similar situation as me. I’m fine with only going to Japan for University, but I don’t want to miss my chance if it’s possible 🙁

   Any advices are welcome. Thank you so much to anyone that read all of this!!!

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2. Japanese high school starts in April, so you’d either have to leave the US during your junior year or delay graduation.

   Unless you have family in Japan you could live with, your only option is an exchange program.

   You will not have gone through the Japanese education system, so you will not be familiar with the way certain subjects (like math) are taught, nor will you be adequately prepared for Japanese university entrance exams. You would be doing yourself a huge disservice.

   You should instead consider coming for university. That way you can finish high school and obtain the best grades possible. If you can’t pass the Japanese entrance exam, you may not even get into a university of your choice. But if you apply from abroad, you will have a better chance of getting in to a school you’re qualified for since your grades will not have suffered.

   Also, do keep in mind that you would have to apply as a citizen of the US and not as a citizen of Japan otherwise, you would be subject to different admissions requirements.

3. Speak fluently? Or use the language completely? Speaking won’t be enough.

   I wouldn’t do it. Japanese high schools are notoriously difficult. It’s not that similar to what is presented in anime, if that is relevant to you. There’s also been talk by other half-Japanese people on here that bullying is common for them, especially if it’s obvious. I’m sure it’s not everywhere and everyone, but take that into account.

   It’s easy to idealise going to a Japanese highschool, heck I’m not Japanese at all and still wanted to, but you’re at such an important point in your life that what’s best for you realistically must come first.

4. >I also wanted to go to a Japanese high school **for my senior year**.

   You legally cannot graduate from a Japanese high school unless you have spent all 3 years in a Japanese high school.

   So in order for this plan to work you would need to graduate from your US high school and then somehow convince a high school in Japan to accept you (someone who has already graduated). That’s not something they’re going to do.

   Plus, like u/laika_cat mentioned: Japanese school is *wildly* different than American schools. You wouldn’t be doing yourself any favors educationally even if the was a plan that was possible.

   Plus-Plus: You also wouldn’t be doing yourself any favors socially. Senior year in a Japanese HS is *consumed* by university entrance exams. Student’s existing social groups basically cease to exist during senior year, and no one’s going to have the time to make friends with the random newcomer.

5. Do you have citizenship?

6. My kids are in their first year of senior high school. I’d be happy to answer your questions.

   Be aware that senior high school is different from the other schools as kids are not required to attend it and there are good size fees.

   You would have to attend a private school as getting into a public aka government run school is competitive. Here in Kanagawa some of the schools foreign student programs. These are for residents who have lived here less than 7 years and they provide extra support.

   There is no reason you can’t attend a school here but it will be a lot of work. It’s very complicated not just for your situation but for everyone.

   Our ward has a culture center that you could call to get guidance too.

7. I took a gap year after high school and did a year abroad in Japan as an exchange student. If you’re planning to go to Japan for university, I would just wait until university unless there’s a specific reason why you’d want to do a year of high school. Third year students are typically studying for university entrance exams and no longer are in after school club activities, so you’d likely be spending a lot of time self studying in the library (at least I was).

8. Not a good idea. If you do go to a reputable high school, all of the senior students will be studying all day for their university entrance exams anyways. University is the time for Japanese kids to socialize and have fun, so it’s better to just go with your original plan. If you’re half white and speak English you’ll be instantly popular