Why Yokohama?

ーCompany Interview Seriesー

Deutsche Schule Tokyo Yokohama
Our school’s presence has
become a great strength for
expatriates living in Japan

Kindergarten, primary, and secondary education for 460 students
from almost 20 countries
The Deutsche Schule Tokyo Yokohama was opened in 1904 with a private
residence initially serving as a schoolhouse for nine students. We are the oldest
overseas German school in East Asia. The school was relocated to its current sitein Chigasaki (Tsuzuki Ward) in 1991. We had received an offer from the City ofYokohama, which was looking to develop the area, so we erected a new schoolbuilding here. Suitable learning environments have been created for students
from kindergarten through secondary education, and we presently have 460
students from nearly 20 countries, including Switzerland, Austria, and Japan aswell as Germany. The qualifications they earn will allow them to continue on touniversity in Germany, of course, and in Japan. Classes are generally conducted inGerman, but classes taught in other foreign languages were introduced for somesubjects in the 2012/2013 academic year, and English lessons taught by nativespeakers as well as TOEFL preparatory classes were begun in the 2013/2014
academic year, giving the school an even more international flavor.

The community formed around the school enriches expatriates’social interactions
Dr. Detlef Fechner, School Principal

When a foreign employee of a foreign company is assigned to that company’s
Japan office, the greatest concern is likely about adapting to life in a country witha completely different culture and living habits. This concern is even more serious
when children are involved. The choice of schooling while abroad has asignificant impact on a child’s future, so it is an issue that would trouble any
parent. Yokohama is home to the Japan offices of quite a few German companies,
and the children of many of the parents working here attend our school. Thereare also a number of employees with jobs in Tokyo who choose to live inYokohama, so the children in their families also go to our school. Our PTA
members enjoy a great deal of interaction, with voluntary “start-up groups” andother approaches available to support families. BBQ parties are held to welcome
new arrivals, and the locally popular Oktoberfest has become an annual event. It
seems that many of the parents have Japanese partners, but such exchangetranscends language and racial barriers. Exchange with the local community has
picked up in particular since the Great East Japan Earthquake. In addition toworking more closely with city and ward offices, the police, and otheradministrative organizations, we have been actively pursuing ties with thecommunity through such efforts as volunteer work at retirement homes. Most ofour graduates go on to German universities, but many of them become soattached to Japan that they later return, and there are even cases in which boththe parent and the child have attended our school. I understand that students
familiar with both Japanese and German culture have become valuable assets fortheir companies. There are several other international schools in Yokohama
besides our own, so in this sense I think the city provides an environment very
appealing for foreign companies looking to set up a Japan office.
Interviewed by Yokohama World Business Support Center, 2/1/2017