Compulsory education consists of six years of elementary school and three years of junior high school.
Most children attend nursery school or kindergarten before entering elementary school.
Nursery Schools and Kindergartens Children of foreign residents are eligible to attend public nursery schools and kindergartens. Public nursery schools usually accept children from the age of one month to elementary school entrance age on condition that both parents are working. The nursery school year begins in April. Applications for enrollment arc accepted throughout the year at ward and municipal offices. Kindergartens provide preschool education for children from three years of age to elementary school entrance age.