Hello everyone. Recently, I looked into how much it would cost for my son, who is currently in 6th grade, to complete his education through university. To be honest, as a single mother, the final figure made me feel a bit dizzy! (laughs).
So today, I’d like to share a column about the expenses involved in raising a child until graduation. Generally, these costs refer to “Education Expenses” from kindergarten through university. This also includes “extracurriculars” such as cram schools (juku), sports, or piano lessons.
How much does it actually cost? It is often said that education alone costs well over 10 million yen. When you add “child-rearing expenses” (daily living costs since birth), the total is said to reach 20 to 30 million yen. Of course, this varies depending on the family environment and the child’s specific path.
Below, let’s focus on the “Education Expenses” from kindergarten to university that every parent should keep in mind.
Breakdown of Education Expenses
Education expenses are generally divided into three main categories:
- School Education Expenses: Tuition and fees for kindergarten through university.
- Home Education Expenses: Costs for home tutors or learning materials used at home.
- Extracurricular Activity Expenses: Monthly fees for cram schools, certificate exams, recitals, and study abroad programs.
Specifically, “School Education Expenses” include:
- Admission fees, uniforms, commuting costs, school lunches, textbooks/materials, tuition, and school trips (excursions/field trips).
Comparison: Public vs. Private Schools
According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the average annual learning costs are as follows:
| Stage | Public School | Private School |
| Kindergarten | ¥223,647 | ¥527,916 |
| Elementary School | ¥321,281 | ¥1,598,691 |
| Junior High School | ¥488,397 | ¥1,406,433 |
| High School | ¥457,380 | ¥969,911 |
| University | ¥2,143,220~ | ¥3,747,700~ |
Source: MEXT Survey on Children’s Learning Costs & Survey on Private University Student Fees.
Private schools are significantly more expensive. For elementary school, since it lasts six years, the total cost for a private education is more than double that of a public one. University costs also jump sharply. Medical and dental programs (both public and private) take six years to complete, leading to exceptionally high totals.
The Burden of Living Away from Home
For students who move out for university—whether into a dormitory or a private apartment—parents often face the additional burden of “allowances” (remittances). Even if the student works part-time, parents often contribute over 1 million yen per year for rent and living expenses. Additional costs for computers or specialized reference books can add tens of thousands more annually.
Savings and Support Systems
Data shows that the average cost for the first year of university alone is approximately 2.34 million yen. Ideally, you should aim to have at least 2.5 million yen saved specifically for university entry.
Since paying this out of a monthly salary is difficult, here are some systems you can utilize:
Support Systems by Stage:
- Kindergarten–Junior High: Child Allowance (Jidou Teate) and Free Early Childhood Education.
- High School: High School Enrollment Support Fund.
- University: JASSO Scholarships (Loan-based) and National Education Loans.
Child Allowance Breakdown:
- Age 0 to 3: ¥15,000/month
- Age 3 to Elementary School: ¥10,000/month (¥15,000 for the 3rd child onwards)
- Junior High School: ¥10,000/month
- Note: Income limits apply. Those above the limit may receive a special “Special Collection” of ¥5,000/month.
Summary
The thought of the massive costs required for one child can feel overwhelming. However, if you make good use of government systems and smart saving methods, the path becomes clearer.
Tips for Saving:
- Automated Savings: Set up “Automatic Accumulation Term Deposits” or “Educational Endowment Insurance” (Gakushi Hoken).
- Investment: For long-term savings (10+ years), consider TSUMITATE NISA, which offers tax-free benefits on investment gains.
The basic strategy is to manage daily life and high school costs through your monthly salary and bonuses, while consistently building a separate nest egg for university. I hope this serves as a helpful reference for your family planning!