English《英語版》

2023 School Year
がいこくじん じ ど う せ い と

ほ ご し ゃ

外国人児童生徒と保護者のための
し

ん

ろ

て

び

進路の手引きGuide to Academic andCareer Options
for Foreign Residentsと よ は し し きょういく い い ん か い

豊橋市 教 育 委員会
Toyohashi Board of Education

Index
1. Japanese Educational System...........................................................................................1
2. Senior High Schools (Koko)(1) Public Senior High Schools……………………………………..…………………………..2(2) Group Combination of Public Senior High Schools……………………………………….3(3) Private Senior High Schools…………………………………………………..…………….4(4) Main Subsidy Systems……………………………………………………………………...5(5) Part-Time Senior High Schools……………………………………………..………………6
3. Other Career Options(1) Specialized Training School (Senshu Gakko) (2) Aichi Prefectural Higashi Mikawa
College of Technology (3) Employment………………………………………………..……...7
4. Q&A
Q1: Academic and Career Schedule….…………………………………………..…………...8Q2: Difference between Junior High School and Senior High School Q3: Qualifications for
Examination Q4: Textbooks, Q5: School Grades (Naishinten), Q6: School Uniforms.....9
Q7: Attending School while Working, Q8: Part-Time Jobs, Q9: Open School…….……10
Q10: Career Decisions, Q11: Academic Achievement Test Subjects, Q12: Interviews…11
Q13: Special Selection Examination for Foreign Students (Toyohashi Nishi Senior HighSchool, Toyokawa Koka Senior High School, Aichi Prefectural Mito Aoba High School..12
Q14: Aid for Foreign Students Taking Part-Time Senior High School’s Entrance
Examination……………………………………………………………………………………..13
Q15: Professional Training School (Senmon Gakko)……………………………...………..13
Q16: Specialized Selection Examination (Tokushoku Senbatsu)………………………….14
5. Personal Experience……………………………………………………………………………15
6. The Most Important Thing……………………………………………………………………...16<Appendix>
 Tuition Support Fund System for Public Senior High School Students (Aichi Prefecture)1. Japanese Educational System
This is a brief explanation of the Japanese educational system.
In Japan, elementary school (6 years) and junior high school (3 years) are compulsory
years of education. After graduating from junior high school, about 99% of the students
go on to senior high school (3 years). Furthermore, about 82% of students who graduate
from senior high school enroll in university (4 years), junior college (2-3 years) or
professional training school (1-2 years).
24-27 y.o.

Graduate
School（2-5 years）

22 y.o.
University（4 years）
18 y.o.

JuniorCollege(2-3 years）

Professional
Training School（1-2 years）

Senior High School（3 years）
15 y.o.

Specialized Training School（3 years）

College ofTechnology（5 years）

Junior High School（3 years）
12 y.o.
Elementary School（6 years）
6 y.o.

Why Go to Senior High School?
In Japan, the number of junior high school graduates who immediately start working isvery low, that being about 1%. That is because Japanese companies tend to hire notjunior high school, but senior high school, university or professional training college
graduates.
In addition, many Japanese people think that improving academic ability and acquiringknowledge, culture, and skills are very important. The number of jobs requiring a highschool certificate of graduation is also increasing. Therefore, going to senior high school
can help you reach your full potential and increase your job options in the future.

12. Senior High Schools (Koko)
There are two kinds of senior high schools: public and private. Most senior high schools
conduct classes from Monday to Friday, from around 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This is called
full-day school system.
In addition to the regular course which is for those who aim at entering university, there
are courses in technical subjects aimed at finding employment, as well as an integrated
course which allows you to choose classes that suit your interests.

（1）Public Senior High Schools
Public senior high schools are administered by their respective city or prefecture.
Their lower cost compared to private senior high schools is one of their characteristics.
In Aichi prefecture, a new entrance examination system was implemented for thoseentering senior high school in April 2023. Students can apply to up to two schools as in
the past, but there will be just one academic achievement test.
Selection by Recommendation

General Entrance Examination

The applicant must have a strong desire to 2 schools in total, 1 school from group A and 1
attend the applied senior high school. school from group B (P.3) can be applied.
Excellent character and academic records areneeded. A recommendation from theapplicant’s junior high school principal isrequired.
 Interview
Exam Five-subject academic achievement test
Subjects  School report （2nd semester assessment）（Mark sheet system）
No academic achievement test.
 Interview（Not held depending on the school.） School report （2nd semester assessment）
After
Applicants who passed the selection by
Applicants will pass either the first or second
passing recommendation must enroll in the school choice senior high school, or may fall both.
they applied to.
Exam￥2,200OnlineFeeapplication¥5,650

Enrollment
Fee

Tuition
Fee
Class
Fee
Other

¥118,800 (Annually） Pay in 4 installments.
For prefectural senior high schools, there is High School Tuition Support Fund System. Pleasecheck the appendix for details.
Approx. ¥6,000 (Monthly）
School uniform and gym clothes: Approx. ¥80,000

2

Textbooks: Approx. ¥20,000

（2）Group Combination of Public Senior High Schools【The grouping is based on last year’s entrance examination.】Group A

Regular Course
Mikawa GroupSpecialized
CourseGroup B

Yutakagaoka
Toyohashi Minami (Education Course
available)
Fukue (Welfare Practice Course, Tourism
Business Course available)
Kou
Mito Aoba
Okazaki

Jishukan
Toyohashi Higashi (International
Understanding Course available)
SeishoKozakai
Gamagori Higashi
Taguchi (Nature Exploration Course
available)

Toyohashi Koka (Robotics Engineering,
Mechanical, Electrical) (Architectural
Design, Urban Engineering)
Toyohashi Shogyo (General Business,
International Business, Accounting,Information Processing)Toyohashi Minami (Life Design)
Yutakagaoka (Life Culture)
Kou (General Business)
Anjo Norin (Agriculture and Horticulture)(Flower Science) (Food Science)(Zoological science) (Forest Environment)
Asahigaoka (Art)Meiwa (Music)
Horyo (Welfare) (Hygiene and Nursing)
Mito (International Liberal Studies)
Shinshiro Higashi Tsukude Kosha(People and Nature)

Toyokawa Koka (Robotics
Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical,
Information Design) (Life Course)
Seisho (General Business) (Life
Culture)Atsumi Nogyo (Agriculture andProtected Horticulture) (Food Science)(Life Science)
Miya Suisan (Marine Science)(Information Communication)(Marine Resource) (Marine Foods)
Taguchi (Forestry)こうとう がっこうにゅうがく

高等学校への 入 学

あいちけん

愛知県

https://www.pref.aichi.jp/soshiki/kotogakko/0000027366.html

Gamagori

Toyohashi Nishi
Shinshiro Yukyokan (Humanities
and Sciences, Specialized)

Integrated Course

For details of public senior high schools, please check “Aichi Prefecture Admission to
Koutou Gakkou

Nyuugaku

Senior High School (高等学校への 入学
website).

Aichiken愛知県)” (Aichi Prefectural Board of Education’s

3（3）Private Senior High Schools
When people hear the word “private senior high school,” they usually think that it costs alot. In Aichi prefecture, however, the government provide parents with tuition fee
reduction subsidies and enrollment fee subsidies.
As a result, the tuition fee difference between public and private senior high schools isgetting smaller. When transportation expenses are taken into consideration, attending a
private senior high school close to your house might cost you less than commuting to a
public senior high school far away. Moreover, owing to their special advanced courses
and guidance, many private senior high schools have had excellent results in terms ofstudents entering universities and getting jobs at renowned companies.
Selection by Recommendation

General Entrance Examination

The applicant must have a strong desire to
Applicants can apply to as many schools as
attend the applied senior high school.
they want unless the examination date is
Excellent character and academic records are different. Applications to public high schools
needed. A recommendation from theis also possible.
applicant’s junior high school principal isrequired.
Exam Japanese, mathematics and English academic Five-subject academic achievement test andinterview, etc.
Subjects
achievement test, essay, interview, etc. (Depends on school)
Afterpassing(Depends on school)
Applicants who passed the selection byrecommendation must enroll in the school
they applied to.

Exam
Fee

Approx. ¥15,000

Enrollment
Fee

TuitionFee

In case the applicant passed the generalentrance examination of both private andpublic senior high schools, it is not necessary
to enroll in the private one.
However, about ¥20,000 as a part of theenrollment fee should be paid.

Approx. ¥200,000¥30,000-¥37,000 (Monthly)(Tuition fee is usually paid every 2 or 3 months.)

This is information from lastyear.
Pleasecheck
eachschool’s student recruitment
guidelines that will be officiallyannounced in October as well as
their websites.

＊It differs depending upon parents’ income because there are subsidies from thegovernment, prefecture, and city. The expense is approximately ¥40,000, including tuitionfee, facility fee, PTA fee, etc.
Class
Fee
Other

Approx. ¥12,000 (Monthly)
School uniform and gym clothes: Approx. ¥80,000

Textbooks: Approx. ¥20,000

About ¥200,000 (enrollment fee) by the beginning of February and about¥200,000-¥400,000 (school uniform, text books, etc) by the end of March should be
prepared. Therefore, about ¥400,000-¥600,000 is necessary by the end of March.
(The amount may vary from school to school.)4For details about private senior high schools, please check the “Aichi Prefecture Private
あ い ち け ん し が く きょうかい

School Association (愛知県私学 協 会 )” website.
Website links ofprivate seniorhigh schoold
About money
あ い ち け ん し が く きょうかい

愛知県私学 協 会

https://www.aichi-shigaku.gr.jp/（4）Main Subsidy Systems for 2023
Scholarships and Subsidies

1. Aichi Prefecture Enrollment Fees
Subsidy Program

Private（Private school full-day course and part-timecourse）

2. Aichi Prefecture Tuition Fee
Reduction Subsidy（Private school full-day course and part-timecourse）

National
PublicPrivate・・

3. Special Relief Fund/Scholarship forHouseholds Experiencing Sudden
Financial Difficulties

Repayment

Application-

In April
To private high school-

In April
To private high school-

Period specified by
the senior high school（National, public, and private senior highschool, etc）

4. Aichi Prefecture Senior HighSchool Student Loan

Period specified by
the senior high school（Beginning of June）（National, public, and private senior highschool, specialized training school）

Public5. Aichi Prefectural Senior HighSchool Tuition Support Fund System（Public senior high school full-day course,
part-time course, and correspondence course）-

Online application
when entering school

In any case, subsidies can only be received after paying the necessary expense first andcompleting the procedures. If you are interested in using these systems, please apply
through the high school you will enroll in.

5（5）Part-Time Senior High Schools
In part-time senior high schools, there are typically four classes per day. It is possible towork while studying. Although graduating in 4 years expected, if the student takes
additional specified classes, graduating in 3 years is possible, too.
There are daytime and evening courses. The following part-time senior high schools are in
the vicinity of Toyohashi.
【Toyohashi】Toyohashi Municipal Senior High School（Daytime General Course, Evening General
Course/Integrated Business Course）

Aichi Prefectural Toyohashi Koka Senior High School（Evening MechanicalEngineering Course）【Gamagori】Aichi Prefectural Gamagori Senior High School（Evening General Course）【Kosai, Shizuoka Prefecture】Shizuoka Prefectural Arai High School (Evening General Course)【Toyokawa】Aichi Prefectural Mito Aoba High School (Daytime General Course)
General Entrance Examination
There is no selection by recommendation. Only general entrance examination isconducted. There Prefectural
are two application
periodsHigh(firstSchooland second).
You cannot apply during【Kosai, Shizuoka】Shizuoka
Arai Senior(Evening）
the first period if you are also applying to a public school via selection by recommendation
Aoba SeniorHigh School（Daytime）【Toyokawa】Aichi
Prefecturalor generalentranceMito
examination.
The numberof successful applicants is about 80% of thefull quota of the course.
ExamJapanese, mathematics, English academic achievement test, interview and essay.
Subjects
Special Aid Applicants can take the academic achievement test with hiragana rubi and theinterview can be held individually instead of in a group. This aid is available forthose who satisfy either or both of the following conditions:・Those who are admitted to Japanese elementary school in grade 4 or later.
・Those who have lived in Japan for less than six years.
Exam Fee

Toyohashi Municipal Senior High School Prefectural Part-Time Senior High School¥950

Enrollment ¥0
Fee
Tuition Fee ¥2,000（Monthly）¥2,100¥2,700In case the Tuition Support Fund System is applied, tuition fee will be free.
SchoolExpense¥4,300（Daytime） ¥5,000（Evening）

Approx. ¥4,000-¥10,000(Monthly）

It includes PTA fee, student council fee, school excursion trip fee, graduation album
fee, etc.

InitialSchoolExpenseOther¥45,000（Daytime） ¥60,000（Evening）

Approx. ¥50,000-¥100,000

You will make one payment to cover costs needed for the 1st year when enrolling inschool. This includes the textbooks fee, materials fee, practical training fee, gym clothes, gym shoes, etc.
【Daytime course】 School uniform: （Winter）Approx. ¥50,000,（Summer）Approx. ¥20,000【Evening course】 School meal: Approx. ¥2,600-¥5,000（Monthly）※Even in part-time schools, about ¥50,000-¥100,000 is needed when enteringschool. (The amount may vary from school to school.)6３. Other Career Options（1）Specialized Training School (Senshu Gakko)
These are schools for people who want to acquire skills and abilities needed for the future
profession or daily life. There are domestic science, cooking, designing course.
In Toyohashi city, there is a public school called “Toyohashi-shiritsu Kasei Koto Senshu
Gakko”.

◎Toyohashi-shiritsu Kasei Koto Senshu Gakko

Somestudent
enrollin“Professional Training Schools”
shown on P. 13 Q15.

・Duration: 3 years
・Certification and license you may acquire: Eligibility to enroll in a university, cook
license, certificate to conduct sado (Japanese tea ceremony) or kado (traditional
incense-smelling ceremony) course, food hygiene supervisor, business practical test,
etc.

（2）Aichi-kenritsu Higashimikawa Koto Gijutsu Senmonko(Aichi Prefectural Higashi Mikawa College of Technology)

This is a school that nurtures technical workers and conduct professional training. Theirgeneral architecture course (20 people recruited) is for those who want to work inarchitecture-related industries in the future. The duration of the training is 2 years. The
entrance exam subjects are Japanese and mathematics academic achievement tests andinterview. If you are interested in entering this school, please inform your homeroom
teacher as some required documents must be submitted to the Employment Security Office(“Shokugyo Antei Jo”).
In addition, there is a training school for handicapped people called “Aichi-ken Shogaisha
Shokugyo Noryoku Kaihatsuko”. It is necessary to submit some documents to the
Employment Security Office (“Shokugyo Antei Jo”) in order to apply to this school, too.

（3）Employment
For those who wish to work after graduation, please inform your teacher because an“employment consultation” among the student, guardian, homeroom teacher and officer ofthe Employment Security Office (“Shokugyo Antei Jo”) is needed. However, please beaware that the demand for workers who graduated from junior high school is very low. In
1995, 242 junior high school graduates were recruited through the Employment Security
Office, but the recruitment at the end of March 2023 saw just three people total from
Toyohashi and Tahara recruited by a single company. We recommend you ask your family
and friends to introduce you to available jobs.

74. Q&A
Q1: I’m not sure when and what to do because I don’t know much about
the Japanese entrance examination system. Can you show me the annual
academic and career schedule of a third-year junior high school student?
April
May

Academic Test
Periodical Test I

June

Career Guidance Session
Survey for Academic & Career (1)Periodical Test II

July

Parent-Teacher Meeting-This session is focused on privatesenior high schools. Teachers fromdifferent schools may come and explain
about their schools.

Open School in Senior High Schools
AugustSeptember
OctoberNovember

Survey for Academic & Career (2)Comprehensive Test
Periodical Test III
Career Guidance Session
Comprehensive Test (3rd graders only)
Career Guidance Session
Periodical Test IV
Survey for Academic&Career (3)Parent-Teacher Meeting

December-Open schools are occasionally held
after August, too. Applications arethrough junior high schools.

-Some schools hold the Career
Guidance Session in October.
-This session is focused on public
senior high schools. Teachers fromdifferent schools may come and explain
about their schools.
-The private and public senior highschools that you will apply to will bedecided.

Periodical Test V
Private School’s Selection by
January
Recommendation (Jan. 16th)
Private School’s General Entrance
Examination (Jan. 23rd, 24th, and 25th)
Public School’s Selection byGroup A public high school interview
thRecommendation (Feb. 6 )(Feb. 26th)
Specialized (Tokushoku) Selection
Group B public high school interview
Examination for Foreign Students (Feb. (Feb. 27th)
6th)
Just one academic achievement test
FebruarythDistinctive Selection (Feb. 6 )from this year.
Part-Time School’s Entrance
Examination (1st period) (Feb. 9th)
Public School’s General Entrance
Examination (Feb. 22th)
Graduation Ceremony (Mar.6th)(scheduled)
March
Part-Time School’s Entrance
Examination (2nd period) (Mar. 14th)
The name, number, and schedule of tests may vary depending on the school.
School schedule is subject to change.
8

Q2: What is the difference between junior high school and senior highschool?
The big difference is that junior high school is not compulsory and unlike junior highschool, if you get bad grades or are absent too many days, you may fail and repeat a year
or not be able to graduate. Since attending a senior high school is a personal decision toenhance your interest and ability, you have to study seriously or you may not be able tograduate.

Q3: What are the required qualifications to take a senior highschool entrance examination?
Those who are over 15 years old and have graduated from a Japanese junior high schoolor completed elementary school and junior high school (9 years in total) in a foreigncountry is eligible to take the entrance examination.

Q4: What about textbooks? Where can I buy them?
Textbooks in elementary school and junior high school are provided for free, however thatis not the case in senior high school. You need to purchase them under school’s orientation
after enrollment. They usually cost ¥20,000-¥30,000.

Q5: What is naishinten (school grade score)?
The generally used word naishinten correctly is the tyosasho hyotei, the sum of school
grade scores in the report card graded on a 5-point scale. The grades of the third year insenior high school is the object. As the general entrance examination result is decided by
the evaluation of the academic achievement test and tyosasho hyote (naishinten), theschool grade in the third year of senior high school is very important.

Q6: Are school uniforms and gym clothes specified by school?
How much do they cost?
In most senior high schools, they have their own and specified school uniform, gym
clothes and shoes. The price varies from school to school, but school uniforms and gym
clothes usually cost around ¥100,000. As the school uniform is purchased when enteringschool, “enrollment fee+uniform fee+textbook fee” will be necessary.
Some part-time senior high schools’ evening courses and correspondence courses don’t
require school uniforms.

9

Q7: Is it possible to work while attending school?
There are many people who want to work while studying. In part-time senior high school
evening courses, you can work during the day and go to school at night. There are 2 such
schools in Toyohashi city: Toyohashi Municipal Senior High School (so called “Ichiko”) andToyohashi Koka Senior High School. In nearby cities, there are Gamagori Senior HighSchool (Gamogori city, Ue Honmachi) and Arai Senior High school (Kosai city, Arai-cho),which are part-time senior high schools with evening courses and Mito Aoba Senior HighSchool (Toyokawa city, Mito-cho), a daytime part-time senior high school.
As part-time courses were originally established for student who wish to work while
attending school, if you work more than 90 days a year (it can be a part-time job), you canreceive financial assistance for textbook fee, etc. In addition, a senior high school
equivalency diploma can be earned through some correspondence courses (Aichi
Prefectural Kariya Higashi Senior High School, Aichi Sangyo Daigaku Mikawa Senior HighSchool, etc.).

Q8: After entering senior high school, I want to startworking part-time. Is that okay?
For part-time senior high schools, getting a part-time job is encouraged. However, infull-day senior high schools, you will need your school’s permission to get a part-time job.
Please consult your senior high school teacher.

Q9: What is Open School in senior high schools?
What should I be aware of?
Open School is when 3rd graders are given the opportunity to visit senior high schools andsee or experience their classes and club activities. Therefore, if you wonder “What kind ofclasses do engineering senior high schools have?” or “What can I learn in a commercial
senior high school?,” we highly recommend you go visit them.
Application forms are distributed in junior high schools. You need to fill in therequirements in the application form and submit it to your classroom teacher. You
can visit as many schools as you want, but don’t be absent once you have applied.
In addition, don’t forget to dress appropriately (wear your school uniform) and mind
your manners during your visits.

10Q10: By when should I decide my future plans?
Please decide by October whether you will go on to senior high school or start working.
If you will go on to a senior high school, decide your application pattern from A to
D at the parent-teacher meeting in December. The schools that you will apply
also need to be chosen there.
A: Apply only to private senior high schools.
B: Apply to both public and private senior high schools.
C: Apply only to public senior high schools.
D: Apply to professional training schools or specialized training schools.

Q11: How many subjects will I take for the academic
achievement test?
It depends on the school, but in case of public school’s general entrance examination,
there is going to be 5 subjects: Japanese, mathematics, social studies, science, andEnglish on the 1st day. The test will be in mark sheet system. On the 2nd day, there is going
to be an interview. (Some school don’t have interviews.) Private school’s general entrance
examination also requires 5 subjects, but for selection by recommendation, there will be
Japanese, mathematics and English tests as well as an interview. Some schools require
an essay, too. Make sure to ask your junior high school teacher about the entrance
examination subjects of the senior high school that you are applying to.

Q12: How are the interviews conducted?
In the interview, senior high school teachers will ask you about your reasons for applying
and your school life in junior high school. There is an individual interview and a groupinterview. Interviews are conducted in Japanese. Teachers pay attention not only to youranswers, but also your posture and attitude.
In junior high schools, special practices are provided to help students prepare in advance for the interviews, so please ask your junior high school teacher if you haveany question.

11

Q13: I heard there is a selection examination for foreign
students in Toyohashi Nishi Senior High School andToyokawa Koka Senior High School. What are they like?
★Selection Examination for Foreign Students
There is a selection examination for foreign students (GAIKOKUJIN SEITO-TOU
SENBATSU), where students can have Japanese lessons and course instruction support
after enrollment in Aichi Prefectural Toyohashi Nishi Senior High School’s integrated
course, at Aichi Prefectural Toyokawa Koka Senior High School, or at Aichi Prefectural
Mito Aoba High School.
Those who apply must live in Aichi with a guardian, have foreign nationality (or theguardian) and be admitted to Japanese elementary school in the grade 4 or later
may apply for the selection examination. Those who are under special
circumstances or have lived in Japan for less than 6 years are also qualified forthis selection.
The senior high school and course that you apply through this selection must be your 1st
choice likewise the selection by recommendation.

The academic achievement test

consists of basic questions about the subjects (Japanese, mathematics and English) withhiragana rubi to aid with reading. It will not be mark sheet system. The interview will beheld in Japanese on the same day.
The selection will be based on submitted documents and results of the academic test
and interview.
Students who did not pass the selection for foreign students can apply to the sameschool by taking the general entrance examination.

12

Q14: I heard part-time school’s entrance examination iswith hiragana rubi. What is it like?
Both at first and second term entrance examination of public senior high schools, there is
special aid where academic test with hiragana rubi and individual interview can be taken.
Applicants must satisfy the following requirements :(1)Those who have foreign nationality(2) Those who are admitted to Japanese elementary school in the grade 4 or later, or
have lived in Japan for less than six years.
Please ask your junior high school teacher for details.

Q15: I am interested in computers. Is there any schoolthat I can learn about it?
There are some computer-related professional training schools with business course,
information course, etc. Student can learn from the basic usage of business software to
information system knowledge and skills. There are some professional training schoolthat also offer senior high school curriculum.
Other than computers, there are also some professional training college that help
people aiming to become a cook, fashion designer, electrician, etc. get licenses that will
be useful in their future
Tuition fee for professional training colleges is expensive because they are private
schools. In addition to the tuition fee, the material cost for practical training is also
necessary. Certain courses ask you to purchase tools such as kitchen knife or scissor
set.
School expenses for the first year range from ¥1,000,000 to ¥1,500,000. You must
check the total cost until graduation and save money for a long time. There are somesubsidy systems so please consult your school teacher to learn more about them.

13

Q16: What is Tokushoku Senbatsu (Specialized Selection)?
This specialized selection will be implemented in a few senior high schools that havespecialized courses, an integrated course or a regular course with specialized educationor doing community-based educational activities.
An interview is mandatory, and either an essay, general knowledge examination,
presentation, or specialized test (practical examination) will also be conducted.
Documents that need to be submitted are: application for admission, school record,
and a personal statement. The personal statement must be written by the applicant.
Applying in other ways at the same time, such as selection by recommendation andspecial selection for foreign students, is not allowed.
In the Higashi Mikawa district, this selection will be implemented in the following seniorhigh schools. For those interested, please consult your school teacher.
↓【Previous School Year】↓
Course Name

Exam Content

Number ofStudents Selected

GeneralPresentation

About 5

Commerce

General Knowledge Exam

12

Integrated Business

General Knowledge Exam

8

Life Culture

General Knowledge Exam

8

GeneralGeneral Knowledge Exam

8

Agriculture andProtected Horticulture
Food Sciences

General Knowledge Exam

16

General Knowledge Exam

8

Life Sciences

General Knowledge Exam

8

Integrated Business

General Knowledge Exam

4

Mito Aoba

GeneralPresentation

24

Kozakai

General

Essay

14

Horyo

WelfareGeneral Knowledge Exam

4

Marine Science

Presentation

2

Information
communication
Marine Resources

Presentation

2

Presentation

2

Marine Foods

Presentation

2

Integrated(Humanities
and Sciences）
Integrated(Specialized）

Essay

24

Essay

24

People and Nature

Essay

8

School Name
Toyohashi
MinamiToyohashi
ShogyoSeishoFukue
Atsumi Nogyo

Kou

Miya Suisan

Shinshiro
Yukyokan
Tsukude Kosha

14

5. Personal Experience
I was 5th grader in elementary school when I first came to Japan. I was very worried because I
didn’t know any Japanese language and culture at that time. Despite the hardship, I learned
Japanese and got used to school life. After a year, I had to go back to my home country due tofamily reasons. After attending elementary and junior high school there, I came back to Japanagain in January when I was a 2nd grader in junior high school.
Although I could understand a little Japanese as it was my second time in Japan, I could barely
keep up with the studies. I had some friends, but I had no idea when it came to senior highschools or career issues. I felt alone every day because my family didn’t know about theJapanese school system either. That was the time when my homeroom teacher and kokusai(International) teacher talked to me.
They invited an interpreter and I told her that I was lost and didn’t know what to do. After that,they were so kind and told me about my situation at that time. They suggested I attend the“Career Information Session for Foreign Students” held by the city hall and also explained things
to my parents at the parent-teacher meeting. Then, with the help of others, I studied very hard inorder to pass the entrance examination for senior high school.
I successfully passed the entrance examination and joined the English club. I chose this club
because I want to live by myself and work in a hotel with many foreign guests in the future. I am
currently studying hard every day to challenge myself with various qualification tests, such as
Eiken (English Proficiency Test) so that I can get closer to fulfilling my dream.
What I want to tell you all is that, “Where there is a will, there is a way”. Even if your family
members don’t know much about Japan, there is definitely someone who can help you. Even if
you are not good ate speaking Japanese, don’t be afraid to ask your friends and teachers. I am
sure that you will get some clues from them. I am still on my way to fulfilling my dreams. Let’s
strive together!

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6. The Most Important Thing
It was in 1990 when a foreign student entered Japanese school in Toyohashi for the firsttime. Now, more than 2,000 foreign students study in elementary schools and junior highschools, and a lot of them continue their study for their future in Japan. Some of themreceive college degrees, and become teachers or work in city hall. On the other hand, it isalso a fact that others lose their will to study and quit school because of the differences inlanguage, culture, and habits.
The Japanese school system is undoubtedly different from that of your home country, so it
may be confusing even for parents who have lived in Japan for a long time. As for parents
who have just arrived in Japan, the worries and doubts must be a lot. However, regardlessof the situation, education, which forms the basis of your child’s life, is very
important.
In Japan, education until the age of 15 is mandatory, so no one is allowed to quit school orwork. That is because education until the age of 15 is thought to be necessary. In order to
go to a Japanese senior high school, a junior high school graduation certificate either fromJapan or your home country is needed.
We sometimes meet people who say “I want to go to school again” a few years after
having quit junior high school. But it is very hard to do so without graduating from juniorhigh school in Japan or your home country.
Parents, please don’t let your child quit school easily. If you have any issue, please
consult the school or the Board of Education. Let’s find a solution together.
The Toyohashi Board of Education is open to help and assist you with any educational
issue and problem. If you need an interpreter, the schedule is as below.
Location: City Hall, 11rd Floor, “Consultation Corner for Foreign School Children”
TEL: 0532-51-2077
・Consultation in Portuguese

Mon-Fri

9:00-16:00

・Consultation in Spanish

Tuesday

11:00-15:30*

・Consultation in Tagalog

Mon, Wed, Fri

11:00-15:30*

Mon-Fri

10:00-17:00

・Consultation in simple Japanese*Spanish and Tagalog interpretation unavailable between 12:00 and 13:00

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