Introduction
On June 24, 2026, Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) announced a policy proposal regarding immigration policy. Among the various topics addressed, particular attention has been drawn to the educational environment for foreign children and students.
As the foreign population in Japan continues to grow, ensuring that their children have access to quality education has become an urgent issue for society as a whole. At the same time, this matter is deeply intertwined with the residence status system and how companies employ foreign nationals.
In this article, from the perspective of an administrative scrivener (gyoseishoshi), I will provide a detailed explanation of the proposal’s content and discuss what is important for foreign nationals, their families, and companies that employ foreign workers.
Main Points of the Policy Proposal
The proposal includes the following key items:
(1) Survey on the Concentration of Foreign Children and Students
It has been pointed out that foreign children are concentrated in specific regions and schools, creating challenges in the educational environment. The proposal calls on the government to promptly investigate the situation and consider appropriate acceptance frameworks at the school and classroom levels.
(2) Ensuring an Appropriate Educational Environment
There are cases where an increase in children who have difficulty communicating in Japanese has hindered the progress of classes and classroom management. The proposal emphasizes the need to secure an “appropriate educational environment” to prevent negative impacts on Japanese children as well.
(3) Legal Clarification of Parental Responsibility for School Enrollment
Under current law, unlike Japanese nationals, foreign parents are not legally obligated to send their children to school. The proposal calls for legal measures to clarify parents’ responsibility to provide education to their children and to improve tracking of school enrollment.
(4) Consideration of School Enrollment in Residence Status Renewal
The proposal suggests that whether a child is enrolled in elementary or junior high school should be considered as one of the factors when renewing a parent’s residence status.
(5) Strengthening Quantitative Management
The proposal positions “quantitative management” — controlling the scale of foreign acceptance — as central to immigration policy. It calls for the establishment of numerical targets, including upper limits on the ratio of foreigners, and the development of quantitative management frameworks for residence statuses such as “Student” and “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services,” which currently have no caps.
(6) Enhanced Support for Areas with High Concentrations of Foreign Residents
To prevent friction between local residents and foreigners in areas where foreign nationals are concentrated (“cluster areas”), the proposal calls for continuous monitoring, enhancement of Japanese language education, and prioritized financial support for municipalities addressing these challenges.
What Is the Current Legal Framework for School Enrollment of Foreign Children?
Under Japan’s education system, Japanese parents are legally obligated to send their children to elementary and junior high school (Basic Act on Education and School Education Act). However, foreign parents are not subject to this obligation.
This is based on the premise that foreign nationals have the freedom to return to their home countries and may choose to follow their home country’s education system. However, if they wish, their children may enroll in public schools free of charge.
This system presents several challenges:
- Difficulty in tracking school enrollment
- Existence of children not attending school (non-enrollment)
- Lack of awareness among some parents regarding the importance of education
- Challenges in delivering appropriate administrative support
The Relationship Between Residence Status Renewal and School Enrollment
Currently, when renewing a residence status, factors such as “good conduct” and “sufficient assets or skills to maintain an independent livelihood” are comprehensively assessed.
The proposal suggests that a child’s school enrollment status should also be considered as one of the factors in renewal assessments.
This would mean:
✅ Ensuring children receive education demonstrates adaptation to Japanese society and a stable foundation for living
✅ Fulfillment of parental responsibility is evaluated
✅ Continued non-enrollment may make it difficult to continue residence
However, this is only “one factor among many,” and failure to enroll a child does not automatically lead to denial of renewal. Special circumstances and individual considerations must be taken into account, requiring careful implementation.
What Companies Need to Know
For companies employing foreign workers, the circumstances of employees’ families are not irrelevant. The following points are particularly important:
(1) Impact on Retention
If families cannot live comfortably, even highly skilled employees will find it difficult to remain for the long term. The educational environment for children is a critical factor affecting retention.
(2) Corporate Support
- Providing information on local Japanese language classes and learning support
- Assisting with school enrollment procedures
- Promoting multicultural understanding within the company
(3) Coordination with Residence Status Management
HR personnel should confirm employees’ family situations (especially children’s school enrollment) when managing residence status renewals.
Message to Foreign Families
Your child’s education is an irreplaceable asset for their future. If you have concerns about Japan’s school system or enrollment procedures, you can consult the following:
- Municipal Board of Education
- International Exchange Associations
- Specialists such as administrative scriveners
When renewing your residence status, it is advisable to prepare documents (such as a certificate of enrollment) showing that your child is attending school.
Future Outlook and Challenges
The proposal aims to be reflected in the government’s annual “Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform.” If realized, the following changes are expected:
📌 Increased visibility of foreign children’s school enrollment status
📌 Legal clarification of parental responsibilities
📌 Review of regional frameworks for accepting foreign nationals
📌 Coordination between residence status systems and education policy
However, the following concerns have also been raised:
⚠ Could setting “caps” on acceptance become exclusionary?
⚠ Will the burden on schools become excessive?
⚠ How can fairness be maintained while respecting diversity?
Conclusion
Improving the educational environment for foreign children is not merely a policy issue; it is a critical touchstone for realizing a cohesive, multicultural society.
Creating an environment where foreign nationals who work, live, and raise children in Japan can feel secure benefits companies, local communities, and Japan as a whole.
As administrative scriveners, we face the real challenges that foreign nationals encounter every day through our work supporting visa applications and residence status procedures.
If you have any concerns regarding residence status renewal, family reunification, or your child’s education, please feel free to contact us.
We believe that individual peace of mind leads to societal stability.
🔗 Reference
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/d826a24278ff890744bed207430095ac38ae8ce5
Sankei Shimbun, “Exclusive: Investigation into Areas with Concentrated Foreign Students and Demand for Appropriate Educational Environment – Details of Ishin’s Proposal Revealed” (June 24, 2026)
