１６. Japanese Education(1) The Japanese Education System
The Japanese education system is explained in the following chart.
In Japan, children must study for 9 years between the ages of 6 and 15 atelementary and then junior high school as compulsory education.
School starts on April 1st and ends on March 31st.
Terms are divided into 1st term (April to August), 2nd term (September toDecember) and 3rd term (January to March). Some schools have another system:
former term (April to September) and latter term (October to March)
Preschool⇒ ElementaryAge 3 〜 startSchoolof schoolAge 6 〜 12Nursery
6 months 〜
start of school⇒Junior High ⇒High⇒ University,SchoolSchoolJuniorAge 12 〜 15
Age 15 〜 18College,Vocational
TechnicalSchool
Compulsory Education
CollegeAge 15 〜 20

① Elementary and Junior High School
Under Japanese law, a child of a foreign national is not obligated to enroll in aJapanese school. However, it is possible to enroll upon request.
◆ Proceduresa) Complete your alien registration at the Toyohashi City Hall Citizens
Registry Division (SHIMIN-KA) on the 1st floor. (see p.19)↓b) Go to the Toyohashi City Hall Board of Education School-Education Division(GAKKO KYOIKU-KA) on the 11th floor and tell them of your intentions toenroll your child.
↓c) The School-Education Division will designate the school and grade-levelfor your child and issue a School Entrance Notification (TEN-NYUGAKUSHITEI TSUCHI-SHO).
↓d) Go to the school where your child is scheduled to attend and have aconference.
◆For further information regarding schools, please refer to the Toyohashi
School Guide (GAKKO ANNAI) available (Japanese only) at the SchoolEducation Division (KYOIKU IINKAI)TEL : 0532-51-2817◆ For information on private elementary and junior high schools, please makedirect inquiries with each individual school.

② Nursery School (HOIKU-EN)
Nursery schools look after children who have not started school yet and whosefamily cannot look after them at home as a result of both parents working fulltime, have fallen ill, etc.
There are both public and private nurseries available in Toyohashi.
a) Nursery School Hours<in general> Monday 〜 Friday
8 am 〜 4 pm
Saturday
8 am 〜 12:30 pm＊ Some nursery schools provide extended daycare services (until 7:00 pm)
for a fee.
b) Nursery School Fees
Fees are divided into 10 levels, and differ depending on the guardian's
income level from the previous fiscal year.
c) Admission Counseling and Procedures
Toyohashi City Nursery Division (HOIKU-KA) TEL : 0532-51-2324 / 2325d) Other
It is possible to enroll your child in the middle of the year, provided space
is available. Immediate enrollment may not be possible at some nurseryschools. In addition, you must inform of any changes in your job or family
situation to the nursery school.
③ Preschool (YOCHI-EN)
Preschool accepts children from 3 years of age until they start elementaryschool. Please directly inquire individual preschools for details.

(2) Various Social Services① School Assistance (SHUGAKU-ENJO)
Toyohashi City offers financial assistance for parents with elementary andjunior high school students to cover necessary school expenses such as school
lunches and school supplies. For details such as application procedures andrequirements, please contact the following:
Toyohashi City Hall School-Education Division (GAKKO KYOIKU-KA)
TEL : 0532-51-2817② Child Allowance (JIDO TEATE)
Offered to parents with children up to the 6th grade with income below acertain level. For details such as application procedures and income level, pleasecontact the following:
Toyohashi City Hall Children's Welfare Division (KOSODATE SHIEN-KA)
Maternity Support Group TEL : 0532-51-2319 / 2320

(3) Learning Japanese
Please refer to (p.9)(4) Procedures When Returning to Your Home Country
Guardian

Report to the school that you will be leaving↓
Request your school to prepare the following documents forofficial confirmation
School① Student Registration Certificate (ZAIGAKU SHOMEI-SHO)↓② Academic Transcript (SEISEKI SHOMEI-SHO)③ Curriculum Certificate (KYOIKU KATEI SHOMEI-SHO)④ Graduation Certificate (SOTSUGYO SHOMEI-SHO)<only for those who have completed 6 years of elementary school
and/or 3 years of junior high school courses>

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Request official confirmation of the above documents↓
Guardian

Bring or send by registered mail the above documents as well as
the items listed below to your embassy or consulate.
① Application for Official Confirmation(SHOMEI NINSHO SHINSEI-SHO)② A copy of your passport③ procedural fee<inquire your embassy or consulate beforehand about this>◆ These procedures are mandatory and may take a while to complete.

When it is decided that you will be returning to your home country, pleasebegin these applications and procedures as soon as possible.