Hello everyone, this is Saori.
Recently, I came across the news that Kumamoto Prefectural Yatsushiro High School will establish the first International Baccalaureate (IB) course at a public school in Kyushu starting in the 2027 academic year. As both an educator and a mother, I feel a mix of surprise and excitement that the era of studying IB at a public high school has arrived.
What It Means for a Public School to Offer IB
When people hear “International Baccalaureate,” many still associate it with a special curriculum available only at international schools or select private institutions.
In fact, at the international school in Penang where my eldest daughter Hikari and eldest son Zen attend, IB is positioned as one of the academic options. Uplands, in particular, has a long history as an IB school, with many graduates going on to universities abroad.
However, the introduction of IB at a public school like Yatsushiro High is clear evidence that educational options in Japan are steadily expanding. IB is not just a “curriculum for studying abroad”; it is an education system that emphasizes critical thinking and inquiry-based learning. The addition of this perspective to Japan’s public education system carries significant meaning.
The Real Benefits and Challenges of Earning an IB
The biggest advantage of earning an IB is gaining eligibility for admission to universities worldwide. Students with an IB diploma often receive credit recognition and priority admission at many universities both in Japan and abroad.
On the other hand, the workload of the IB is by no means light. A friend’s child studying IB at ISKL in Kuala Lumpur tells me that the volume and quality of assignments are incomparable to those at Japanese high schools. Essays, presentations, records of extracurricular activities—this is a curriculum that cannot be overcome by rote memorization alone.
Students who choose the IB course at Yatsushiro High will take on this challenging path while seeking understanding from those around them. The fact that it is a public school, with lower tuition costs, is certainly a major attraction.
What a Comparison with Education Migration Reveals
Here, I’d like those considering education migration to think about this: the option of “earning an IB within Japan” is becoming a realistic choice.
When earning an IB at an international school in Malaysia, annual tuition ranges from approximately $5,000 to $10,000 per child. On top of that, living expenses and travel costs are added. With the current exchange rate at 1 MYR = 40.06 JPY (as of May 13, 2026), and the yen continuing to weaken, living costs in Malaysia are increasingly feeling more expensive than before.
On the other hand, if you can earn an IB at a public school, tuition costs are significantly lower. However, it’s true that international schools currently have a longer history and more established expertise in IB education environments.
Which Should You Choose?
As someone raising children in Malaysia, I feel that “education migration is not a luxury, but one form of risk hedging.”
The introduction of IB into Japan’s public education is a very welcome development, as it increases the options for receiving an international education within the country. However, it can also be said that the essential value of IB lies in “an environment where you learn with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds.”
What kind of international exchange and diversity experiences will the IB course at Yatsushiro High be able to offer? That will be the key factor determining the true quality of education.
The Value of Studying IB in Malaysia
The greatest advantage of studying IB in Malaysia is the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural environment. At the school my children attend, Malay, Chinese, Indian, and international students from all over the world learn together.
The IB curriculum emphasizes “international-mindedness,” but Malaysia’s strength is that students can naturally acquire this not only in the classroom but also in their daily lives.
Furthermore, international schools in Malaysia have many teachers with extensive experience in IB instruction. With accumulated know-how in IB essay guidance and internal assessments, even students new to IB can study in a supportive environment.
Future Educational Choices
The introduction of IB at Yatsushiro High is a step that shows new possibilities for Japan’s public education. At the same time, it will serve as an opportunity to re-evaluate the option of education migration as a more realistic point of comparison.
What’s important is not “which is the right answer,” but calmly determining “which environment is best for my child.” Both the public IB course and international schools in Malaysia have their own attractions and challenges.
For those considering education migration, I recommend making a comprehensive judgment that includes the option of earning an IB within Japan. And above all, it’s crucial to visit local schools and see for yourself.
I hope that Yatsushiro High School’s initiative will open new doors for education in Japan. And I will continue to watch over a future where each child can find the learning environment that suits them best.
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