INI

Types of Educational Institutions in Japan - INI

Educational institutions in Japan are classified based on the School Education Law, broadly divided into Article 1 schools (kindergartens, elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, universities, colleges of technology, etc.), specialized training colleges, and miscellaneous schools. By educational stage, they are divided into pre-school education, primary education, secondary education (lower and upper), and higher education, with different types of schools established at each stage. They are also classified as national, public, or private based on their establishing body.

educational institutions school education law MEXT Japanese education system school types

[item.kindergarten]
code=01
slug=kindergarten
name=Kindergarten
description=Pre-school education institution for children aged 3 until school entry.
category=Pre-school Education
duration=Ages 3 until school entry
compulsory=
degree=

[item.elementary-school]
code=02
slug=elementary-school
name=Elementary School
description=6-year primary education institution for children aged 6 to 12.
category=Primary Education
duration=6 years (ages 6-12)
compulsory=true
degree=

[item.junior-high-school]
code=03
slug=junior-high-school
name=Junior High School
description=3-year lower secondary education institution for students aged 12 to 15.
category=Lower Secondary Education
duration=3 years (ages 12-15)
compulsory=true
degree=

[item.high-school]
code=04
slug=high-school
name=High School
description=3-year upper secondary education institution providing post-compulsory education.
category=Upper Secondary Education
duration=3 years (ages 15-18)
compulsory=false
degree=

[item.compulsory-education-school]
code=05
slug=compulsory-education-school
name=Compulsory Education School
description=Compulsory education institution providing integrated 9-year education combining elementary and junior high school.
category=Compulsory Education
duration=9 years (ages 6-15)
compulsory=true
degree=

[item.secondary-education-school]
code=06
slug=secondary-education-school
name=Secondary Education School
description=Upper secondary education institution providing integrated 6-year education combining junior high and high school.
category=Secondary Education
duration=6 years (ages 12-18)
compulsory=false
degree=

[item.special-needs-school]
code=07
slug=special-needs-school
name=Special Needs School
description=School providing education for children and students with disabilities.
category=Special Needs Education
duration=Kindergarten through High School
compulsory=true
degree=

[item.college-of-technology]
code=08
slug=college-of-technology
name=College of Technology
description=5-year higher education institution targeting junior high school graduates.
category=Higher Education
duration=5 years (for junior high school graduates)
compulsory=false
degree=Associate Degree

[item.junior-college]
code=09
slug=junior-college
name=Junior College
description=2-year or 3-year higher education institution.
category=Higher Education
duration=2 or 3 years
compulsory=false
degree=Junior College Bachelor (Associate Degree)

[item.university]
code=10
slug=university
name=University
description=4-year higher education institution (6 years for medicine, etc.).
category=Higher Education
duration=4 years (6 years for medicine, etc.)
compulsory=false
degree=Bachelor's Degree

[item.graduate-school]
code=11
slug=graduate-school
name=Graduate School
description=Advanced research and education institution for university graduates, etc.
category=Higher Education (Graduate School)
duration=Master's 2 years, Doctoral 3+ years
compulsory=false
degree=Master's, Doctoral

[item.specialized-training-college]
code=12
slug=specialized-training-college
name=Specialized Training College
description=Educational institution for developing vocational abilities and practical education.
category=Specialized Training Education
duration=1 to 4 years
compulsory=false
degree=Specialist, Advanced Specialist

[item.miscellaneous-school]
code=13
slug=miscellaneous-school
name=Miscellaneous School
description=Educational institution providing education similar to school education.
category=Miscellaneous Education
duration=Variable
compulsory=false
degree=