The American School in Japan (ASIJ): A Guide for Parents

Facts, fees and admissions rules are from ASIJ's own website, checked on 12 October 2026. The school updates fees every year; confirm with admissions before you apply.

The American School in Japan (ASIJ) is one of the oldest and largest international schools in Japan, and the first school many American and internationally minded families in Tokyo look at. Here is what it offers, what it costs and how to apply.

The school at a glance

Two campuses

• Early Learning Center (ages 3–5): 6-16-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032. Phone 03-5771-4344.
• Chofu campus (Kindergarten–Grade 12): 1-1-1 Nomizu, Chofu-shi, Tokyo 182-0031. Phone 0422-34-5300.

The two are far apart. Roppongi is in central Tokyo; Chofu is in the western suburbs, about 20 kilometers away. Families with young children in Roppongi and older children in Chofu should plan the commute carefully, and many families of school-age children live in western Tokyo near the main campus. See Tokyo neighborhoods and commutes.

What it costs (2026–27)

In the first year, a new Kindergarten student's family pays about ¥5.6 million before the bus. Compare schools on the total, not tuition alone: see international school tuition in Japan.

Admissions

• When: applications open in mid-November for the following August, for local and overseas applicants at every grade. Decisions usually start in late February or early March and continue through the summer.
• First step: fill in the inquiry form on the school's website, which also lets you book open-house sessions.
• Age cut-offs: Nursery applicants must be three, and Kindergarten applicants five, before September 1.
• English: students must be proficient in English. At least one parent must be fluent in English, because English is the language of all school communication.
• Documents: for Grades 1–5, two full years of report cards, two teacher recommendations and standardized test results; for Grades 6–8, two years of report cards, recommendations, an essay and test results; for Grades 9–12, the same with three recommendations.
• Support needs: any speech therapy, learning support, English-language support or counseling must be disclosed, with reports, before a decision is made.
• Priorities: the school considers fit with its philosophy, diversity, whether it has the resources to meet a child's needs, and the needs of students who require an English-medium education, and it accepts siblings.

Who it suits

It often suits families who:

• plan for American universities, or want an American-style education and AP courses;
• want a large school with a wide range of activities and an established community;
• can live within reach of Chofu, or of Roppongi for the early years.

It may not suit families who:

• want their child to read and write Japanese at grade level (see Nishimachi, which is bilingual);
• prefer the IB or a British curriculum (see curricula at Tokyo schools);
• have no parent who is comfortable in English.

Summer day camp

ASIJ runs a well-known Summer Day Camp that is open to children who are not ASIJ students. In 2026, its 52nd season, it ran in Chofu for Grades 1–6, in four five-day sessions in July and August, and also in Roppongi. See summer programs at international schools.

FAQ

How much does ASIJ cost? For 2026–27, tuition is ¥3,143,000 to ¥3,826,000 a year depending on grade, plus one-time fees of ¥1,875,000 for new families, an annual ¥250,000 capital assessment and ¥390,000 for the bus.

When should we apply to ASIJ? Applications open in mid-November for the following August, and decisions start in late February or early March.

Does ASIJ offer the IB? No. ASIJ teaches an American curriculum with Advanced Placement courses in high school.

Where are ASIJ's campuses? The Early Learning Center for ages 3–5 is in Roppongi, and the main campus for Kindergarten to Grade 12 is in Chofu.

Do parents need to speak English? At least one parent must be fluent in English, because it is the language of all school communication.

Can Japanese children attend ASIJ? ASIJ's admissions priorities include students who need an English-medium education, and students must be proficient in English. Ask admissions how this applies to your family.