Information on Procedures for New Enrollment (April 2026) for Children of Foreign Nationality

We will begin accepting applications on Wednesday, October 1, for foreign national children who wish to enroll in municipal elementary or junior high schools in April 2026.
An information notice on school enrollment procedures will be sent at the end of September to all registered residents within the city. The city implements a school choice system.
After you complete the enrollment application procedures, the relevant documents, such as the School Choice Request Form, will be sent to you. Please apply as early as possible.

Enrollment application procedure

We will begin accepting applications at the School Affairs Section (seventh floor of the Minato City Office) starting Wednesday, October 1. Please bring the residence cards of your child and one legal guardian. If you require an interpreter, please bring one with you.

Regarding the School Choice System

The city generally requires that students attend the school designated for their residential area.
However, if desired, we offer a School Choice System that allows families to select a different school for enrollment.

Eligibility

A new first-grade student who resides in the city and will enter a municipal elementary or junior high school in April 2026.
Elementary school: Born between April 2, 2019 and April 1, 2020
Junior high school: Born between April 2, 2013, and April 1, 2014

The range of school choices

Elementary schools can be chosen from those adjacent to the designated school district, while junior high schools can be selected from any school within the city. However, some schools may not be able to accept applicants for school choice from outside the school district because of population growth within the school district.

Drawing of lots

If the number of applications exceeds the capacity set by each school, a lottery may be held for applicants from outside the designated school zone.

Request when choosing a school

• Please commute to school either on foot or by train or bus. The use of bicycles for commuting to school and drop-offs or pick-ups by car are prohibited. Since commuting to school is a daily routine, please choose a school after taking into consideration the burden it may place on your child. Please be sure to check the safety of the route to the school in advance.
• School educational activities are supported by the understanding and cooperation of parents and the local community. After enrollment, please actively participate and cooperate in school events, PTA activities, and local community events.
• If you wish to visit a school, please contact each school directly.

Sending of School Selection Preference Form and Notification of School Entry Health Checkup

After completing the admission application procedures at the School Affairs Section, the relevant School Selection Preference Form will be sent by mail to all eligible individuals. The Notification of School Entry Health Checkup is also enclosed for those entering elementary school.

Distribution of school brochures

From early September, school brochures will be available at the School Affairs Section (seventh floor of the City Office), Resident Support Section, Counter Services Subsection, of each Regional City Office, and the Daiba Branch Office of the Shibaura-konan Regional City Office. Brochures will also be available on the Minato City website.

English Support Course(Nanzan Elementary School/Higashimachi Elementary School)

At Nanzan Elementary School and Higashimachi Elementary School, an English Support Course (ESC) is offered for students with only foreign nationality and who are staying in Japan for approximately two years. The course allows them to take classes in English with a maximum of 10 students per grade level. To ensure that non-Japanese children can participate in activities with Japanese children and feel at ease, one English-proficient instructor will be assigned to each grade level.

Japanese Language Class(Azabu Elementary School/Kogai Elementary School/Roppongi Junior High School)

In order to provide instruction and support for the Japanese language and daily life customs in Japan to non-native Japanese-speaking foreign children and returnee students attending municipal elementary and junior high schools, Japanese language classes have been established at Azabu Elementary School, Kogai Elementary School, and Roppongi Junior High School. Students at those schools attend regular classes and participate in the Japanese language class during designated times (about once or twice a week for approximately two hours per day). If an elementary school student commutes from another school, it is mandatory for a parent or guardian to drop them off and pick them up.

International Native Course at English Department of Roppongi Junior High School

Roppongi Junior High School offers a Native English Course as part of the International English class (once a week) for all grade levels. The school provides high-quality lessons to create opportunities for foreign students and those with advanced English skills to thrive and further improve their English proficiency.

Schedule for enrollment application

From October 1: Start of enrollment application acceptance
During October: Distribution of school selection preference forms
Early November: Deadline for submission of school selection preference forms
Late November: Announcement of application status
Early December: Lottery (only for schools that conduct a lottery)
Mid-January 2026: Sending of school admission notifications
February to March 2026: Enrollment orientation sessions at each school