Schools

Why Does Tokyo’s Official International School Portal List Only 17 Schools?

A Simple Explanation of Why the Actual Number Appears Much Larger

In October 2025, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched the Tokyo International Schools Portal, an official website that compiles information about international schools across the city.

The portal allows families to search schools by location, language of instruction, curriculum, and other criteria—especially helpful for foreign residents and parents exploring international education options.

However, when selecting “All Tokyo Municipalities,” the search result shows only 17 schools.

This naturally leads to the question:

“Are there really so few international schools in Tokyo?”

The answer is no.
The number appears small because the portal lists only schools that meet Tokyo’s very clear and strict inclusion criteria.

Criteria for Schools Listed on Tokyo’s Official Portal

Schools featured on the portal are “officially recognized international schools” that meet all of the following requirements:

1. Recognized as a ‘Kakushu Gakkō’ (miscellaneous school) under Article 134 of the School Education Act

They must be formally approved as a school within Japan’s legal framework.

2. Hold at least one internationally recognized accreditation designated by the Ministry of Education as equivalent to university entrance qualification

Accepted accreditations include:

  • WASC
  • CIS
  • ACSI
  • NEASC
  • Cognia
  • COBIS

3. Approved for inclusion by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Even if a school meets the above requirements, it must apply and receive approval from Tokyo to be listed.

In short, the portal is a quality-focused list of international schools that Tokyo can officially endorse.

The Actual Number of International Schools in Tokyo Is Much Higher

Across Tokyo, it is generally estimated that 50 to 70 international schools exist if you include:

  • English-language preschools
  • Unaccredited schools
  • Bilingual schools
  • Schools with independent curricula

Many of these do not appear on the portal because they:

  • are not legally recognized as schools,
  • do not hold international accreditation, or
  • follow unique educational programs.

Therefore:

“17 schools” does not represent all international schools in Tokyo.
The portal is simply an official database limited to schools that meet strict government-backed criteria.

Summary

There are only 17 schools listed on Tokyo’s portal because it includes exclusively those that meet three key requirements:

  • Legal school recognition
  • International accreditation
  • Approval by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government

This results in a carefully curated, reliable list—especially valuable for families considering international education in Japan.

The portal also includes testimonials, student voices, and videos, offering additional insight into each school.

While the portal is highly trustworthy, families seeking a broader understanding of Tokyo’s international school landscape may also find general English-language guides helpful—such as this well-organized overview:

▶ A user-friendly explanation of international schools in Japan (Go!andUp PICKS)
https://picks.goandup.jp/introducing-japanese-international-schools-b/

(Article by Hajime Saito)