Number of educational institutions Japan 2022, by type

As of May 2022, elementary schools accounted for the largest share of educational institutions in Japan, with roughly 19 thousand facilities throughout the country. This number was followed by lower secondary schools, amounting to over 10 thousand facilities.

 Japanese school system

The compulsory education in Japan runs for nine years, with six years in elementary school and another three years in lower secondary school, equivalent to junior high school. After these nine years, students can find employment or continue studying at a high school for three years and proceed to higher education afterward. There are national, public, and private institutions for each school form. For children having difficulties studying at general schools due to physical or mental challenges, there are nearly 1.2 thousand special education schools nationwide. As of late, there was a slight shift in this system, as the government strived for a more inclusive approach. Students with learning disabilities or attention deficits can now attend regular classes while their individual needs are still taken into consideration.

 The Ministry of Education

Established in 1871, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) consists of multiple agencies and is responsible for the management and promotion of projects for national education and culture sectors. MEXT’s annual budget has amounted to over five trillion yen throughout the past decade, most of which was utilized for the national treasury's share of compulsory education expenses. Other areas of responsibility that the ministry holds include tuition support for high schoolers, scholarship programs, culture and arts expenses, as well as the promotion of science and technology.