In 2022, the number of kindergartens in Japan totaled 9.1 thousand, down by almost 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.
Number of kindergartens in Japan from 2013 to 2022
(in 1,000s)
Characteristic
Number of kindergartens in thousands
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All kindergartens, prescribed in School Education Act, including national, public and private kindergartens, as well as main and branch kindergartens are included.
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MEXT (Japan). (December 21, 2022). Number of kindergartens in Japan from 2013 to 2022 (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1033131/japan-kindergarten-number/
MEXT (Japan). "Number of kindergartens in Japan from 2013 to 2022 (in 1,000s)." Chart. December 21, 2022. Statista. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1033131/japan-kindergarten-number/
MEXT (Japan). (2022). Number of kindergartens in Japan from 2013 to 2022 (in 1,000s). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1033131/japan-kindergarten-number/
MEXT (Japan). "Number of Kindergartens in Japan from 2013 to 2022 (in 1,000s)." Statista, Statista Inc., 21 Dec 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1033131/japan-kindergarten-number/
MEXT (Japan), Number of kindergartens in Japan from 2013 to 2022 (in 1,000s) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1033131/japan-kindergarten-number/ (last visited July 22, 2024)
Number of kindergartens in Japan from 2013 to 2022 (in 1,000s) [Graph], MEXT (Japan), December 21, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1033131/japan-kindergarten-number/