The Essence Behind the Popularity of Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School’s IB Program

Why is Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School Popular While Public Schools Lose Students?

Hello everyone, it’s Saori. It’s been three and a half years since we moved to Penang, Malaysia. While my eldest daughter Hikari (Grade 2) and eldest son Zen (Kindergarten) attend international school, I always keep an eye on educational trends in Japan.

Recently, I came across an interesting news article: “As free high school tuition accelerates the shift away from public schools, Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School’s IB course stands out with its growing popularity.”

With free high school tuition reducing the financial burden of private schools, application rates for public high schools continue to decline. Yet, the IB course at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School is seeing rising demand.

At first glance, this might seem like a simple case of “a public school being popular.” But for those of us considering education migration, this phenomenon offers profound insights.

The Shift Toward “International Standards” Behind IB’s Popularity

The reason the IB course at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School is so popular is simple: it offers the International Baccalaureate (IB), a globally recognized curriculum, at a public school.

The IB is an educational program valued by universities worldwide. For top universities in Europe and the U.S., IB scores are a key factor in admissions. Even in Japan, the inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and English presentation skills fostered by the IB are gaining recognition.

The international school Hikari attends in Penang also uses the IB curriculum. Her daily routine involves forming hypotheses about open-ended questions, conducting research, and presenting her findings.

The fact that “this is available at a Japanese public high school” resonates with education-focused families. The IB course at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School represents a new option: offering an international standard education within the public school framework.

Comparing IB Course Fees with Malaysia

Of course, cost is a factor. Since the IB course at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School is public, annual tuition is about ¥120,000 (approximately $800 USD). Even with materials and study abroad costs, it’s significantly cheaper than private international schools.

In contrast, annual tuition for IB international schools in Malaysia ranges from ¥800,000 to ¥1,500,000 (approximately $5,300 to $10,000 USD) for elementary school, and can exceed ¥2,000,000 (approximately $13,300 USD) for middle and high school. However, at the current exchange rate (1 MYR = 39.81 JPY as of May 8, 2026), Malaysian tuition is less than half that of Japanese private international schools.

The IB course at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School is certainly attractive in terms of “value for money,” but the challenge is the highly competitive entrance exam. With such high demand, not everyone can get in.

The Essence of Education Migration: “The Freedom to Choose”

The popularity of the IB course at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School reveals a clear trend: the demand for “international standards” in Japanese education is steadily growing.

However, I’d like to highlight a key distinction: the difference between “having many options” and “ease of access.”

If you live in Tokyo, you can aim for the IB course at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School. But getting in is another matter. High application rates mean many children end up on the “chosen” side, not the “choosing” side.

On the other hand, international schools in Malaysia have lower entry barriers compared to Japanese international schools. In Penang alone, there are several IB schools like Uplands, each with its own unique character. This allows you to “choose” a school that truly fits your child.

What Hikari and Zen’s School Search Taught Us

The school Hikari currently attends uses the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). Every day, she engages in inquiry-based learning in English and has numerous opportunities to present her opinions to her classmates.

Zen is at the same school, learning English and social skills through play. In his preschool, the morning circle time includes the question, “How are you feeling today?” and he answers in English.

People often ask, “Can’t you get a similar education in Japan?” Of course, with some effort, similar approaches are possible in Japanese schools. But I feel there’s a significant difference in the quality of a child’s growth between an environment where the entire school operates under the consistent philosophy of the IB and one where only a few teachers are making an effort.

A New Option: “Public IB”

The popularity of the IB course at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School signals a shift in Japan’s education system. The Ministry of Education is promoting the expansion of IB schools, so opportunities to study IB at public schools will likely increase in the future.

However, progress is slow. Only a handful of public schools have fully implemented the IB. Moreover, training teachers who truly understand the IB philosophy takes time.

When considering education migration, the key question is, “What can I offer my child *right now*?” The IB course at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School is a wonderful option, but it’s only available “after middle school.” What kind of educational environment will your child experience during elementary and middle school?

Hikari is in Grade 2 and is already comfortable with English presentations and group work. This experience will never be wasted, even if she returns to a Japanese high school in the future. In fact, her “dual perspective” from experiencing both Japanese and international education will become her strength.

Education Migration is a “Strategy,” Not an “Escape”

Education migration isn’t about a negative “Japan’s education is bad, so we’re leaving.” It’s a positive choice: “We want to give our child a world-class education.” The popularity of the IB course at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School is proof that this trend is also emerging within Japan.

Our family chose an authentic IB educational environment here in Malaysia. This isn’t a rejection of Japanese education. Rather, it’s a “strategic choice” to equip our children with skills that are valued globally, while still appreciating the good aspects of Japanese education.

Our youngest daughter, Yukari, is only 18 months old. By the time she starts school, Japan’s educational landscape may have changed even more. Still, we want to maintain the “freedom to choose.” That’s why we keep our base in Malaysia.

Conclusion: What We Can Learn from the IB Popularity at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School

What I took away from this news is that “the demand for international standard education is undeniably growing within Japan.”

The IB course at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School is a groundbreaking option that meets this demand. However, it’s only accessible to a select few who can pass the highly competitive entrance exam. Not every child gets an equal opportunity.

Education migration is one way to gain that “freedom to choose.” Of course, moving abroad involves risks and costs. But if you’re serious about your child’s education, why not consider overseas options alongside domestic ones?

In Malaysian international schools, you can learn international curricula like the IB at a relatively affordable cost. Plus, the multicultural environment naturally fosters a global mindset.

Now that a new option like “public IB” has emerged, it might be the perfect time to reconsider, “What is the best educational environment for my child?”