Overview
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) is working to create a world-class environment for both business and daily life — including multilingual administrative support — to attract highly skilled global talent and companies, and to enhance Tokyo’s position as a leading global financial city.
As part of this initiative, TMG is promoting the establishment and expansion of multilingual international schools serving foreign residents and their families. We provide comprehensive support for educational institutions and related businesses seeking to establish new schools or expand existing ones in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
What We Offer
Details of our support for educational institutions and related companies are as follows. If you need help with a more specific inquiry or support, or if you wish to provide information, please contact us using our contact form.
１．Business Matchmaking Services
We connect businesses interested in building and expanding schools in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. Such businesses include international schools, educational institutions (school operators), landlords, building owners,
investors, and other businesses and individuals interested in the project.
Information on public land is also shared through this service, so please consult with us if interested. We will identify your interests and needs and connect you with appropriate business partners.
２．Administrative Support Services
We will answer your questions about administrative procedures below and refer you to relevant departments or licensed professionals when needed (professional fees may apply)
- Incorporation in Tokyo (business registration）
- Incorporation in Tokyo (taxation）
- Establishing incorporated educational institutions in Tokyo
- Accreditation and licensing in Tokyo
- Land and building acquisition in Tokyo (only for administrative services)
- Building confirmation and inspection for setting up international schools in Tokyo
３．Assistance/Consulting Services
We support the setup and expansion of international schools as follows. Please contact us for more information. First, we will interview you to understand your needs. We will refer you to relevant departments or licensed professionals when needed (professional fees may apply)
- Market analysis for international schools in Tokyo (including demand forecasting)
- Cost-benefit analysis for setting up international schools in Tokyo (including revenue projections)
- Business planning support for school expansions and establishment of new schools
- Fundraising support for new school establishment and expansion
- Contracting support for school setup
- Public relations and communication support for school setup
※The matching support is intended solely to facilitate introductions between business operators and does not guarantee the conclusion of any agreement or transaction. Furthermore, neither the Tokyo Metropolitan Government nor the Program Office shall be held responsible for any disputes, damages, or losses arising between the parties after such introductions.
Eligibility
This project supports the expansion of multilingual international schools dedicated to serving foreign residents in Tokyo. These institutions are not included in the term “school” as defined in Article 1 of the School Education Act. They must meet one of the following criteria or aim to establish schools to be eligible for this program.
- They have obtained approval as Kakushu Gakkō (miscellaneous schools) under Article 134 of the School Education Act.
- Accredited or planning to be accredited by programs (WASC, CIS, ACSI, NEASC, Cognia, COBIS) recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as university entrance qualifications
(For details, please refer to the MEXT website.) - Offering or to be offering internationally recognized curricula (IB, Cambridge International, AP)
Please note that the above criteria are applied solely to schools aiming to set up new schools or expand existing ones. We are actively seeking interested parties to undertake these initiatives, including domestic and international school operators, as well as the following stakeholders:
- International schools considering expansion into Tokyo
- Existing international schools considering expansion in Tokyo
- Companies interested in setting up and operating international schools in Tokyo
- Individuals and companies interested in the educational environment of international schools and institutions in Tokyo
- Other individuals and businesses interested in this project
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government provides support for international schools seeking to establish or expand their enrollment capacity within Tokyo.
This page compiles frequently asked questions and answers related to this program.
Related Pages:
- Support Program Overview: https://www.intlschools.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/support-program/
- About Tokyo International Schools Portal: https://www.intlschools.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/about-tisp/
- School Listing Application Form: https://www.intlschools.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/school-listing-application-form/
About the Program
The program primarily offers the following types of support to those seeking to establish a new international school or expand enrollment capacity within Tokyo:
- Business matching support
- Administrative procedure support
- Ongoing advisory support
A wide range of stakeholders is welcome to inquire, including schools considering entering the Tokyo market or expanding their enrollment, landowners and building owners, investors, and school operators.
Contact Us
If you are interested in this project and wish to be supported or provide information (such as land and buildings), please submit your specific inquiries using the contact form. Our team will review your inquiries and get back to you. We will interview you or set up meetings when needed.（Please allow approximately 2 business days to respond to your inquiry.）
Your inquiries submitted via the contact form will be shared with the entrusted Boston Consulting Group, G.K. (Secretariat Office)
*Required answers
For more information about this page or if you wish to submit documents, please contact us at:
The Support Initiatives Secretariat for the Establishment of International Schools
The Boston Consulting Group G.K.
Address: Nihonbashi Muromachi Mitsui Tower, 3-2-1 Nihonbashi-Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0022, Japan