Free High School Tuition Intensifies Competition

Japan is expanding its tuition-free high school program, giving families more options between public and private education. However, this policy is also causing private schools to become more popular, leaving some public schools with fewer students. Third-year junior high school students are now making big decisions about their future education. Private high schools in the Kansai region are now attracting over 10 applicants for each open spot, with some fairs seeing over a thousand families attend.

While applications to public high schools in Osaka Prefecture are declining, applications to private schools are increasing. Some private schools have even started using their uniforms as a recruitment tool. Family decisions are not solely based on tuition costs, as expenses beyond tuition can still be significant. One family in Kobe, for example, has four children, with two older daughters already in public high schools and a third daughter deciding between public and private education.

The father works for a nonprofit supporting programming education, and he said the family wants their daughter to choose based on her interests rather than cost.

Public schools are having to compete more aggressively for students. Osaka Prefecture provided 950,000 yen in promotional funding to high schools for the first time this year, allowing schools to use the money as they see fit. Of the 140 public high schools in the prefecture, 67 failed to fill their enrollment quotas this academic year. Schools missing their enrollment targets for three years in a row could be candidates for reorganization.

Osaka Prefectural Hiraoka Shofu High School, which has failed to meet enrollment quotas for five consecutive years, is fighting to stay open. The school renovated its cafeteria and library to create a more inviting atmosphere and offers a unique curriculum that includes fields like agriculture and childcare. Despite these efforts, the school is concerned about declining student numbers. Japan projects that 32 public high schools could close by 2040, raising concerns about regional disparities in access to education.

Some popular public schools are also feeling the pressure. A prestigious prefectural high school with specialized liberal arts and science programs saw its open campus reservations fill up quickly. Teachers at the school highlight extensive supplementary lessons, which are provided for free and can reduce the need for expensive private tutoring. However, the school's baseball program will be discontinued in March 2029, as it is struggling to attract new students.