Number of kindergarten Japan 2014-2023
In 2023, the number of kindergartens in Japan totaled around 8.8 thousand, down by about four thousand compared to a decade ago. Among all types of kindergartens in Japan, private institutions accounted for over 60 percent of the total number.
Kindergartens
Kindergartens in Japan are considered educational facilities and fall under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). They offer educational programs based on the study guideline established by MEXT according to the Basic Act on Education, most recently amended in 2006. Children aged three to five learn subjects such as sports, music, language, and math at kindergartens to accelerate physical and mental development and prepare for elementary school. All the staff has licenses to teach children under elementary school, which can be obtained by earning credits at tertiary schools like universities and junior colleges.
Nursery care facilities
Nursery care facilities for children in Japan are regarded as welfare facilities and differentiated from kindergartens. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) regulates nursery facilities according to the Child Welfare Act. As the purpose of the facilities is to assist parents with child care and rearing, parents are required to be approved by municipalities to apply for enrollment. Based on the condition of the households, such as employment status, parents are entitled to leave children at the facilities for eight to eleven hours. Child care workers with licenses take care of children at the facilities, focusing mainly on providing basic nursing care rather than schooling.
