From Karuizawa to Malaysia. The Depth of That Choice
Hello. I’m Saori, a mother of three living in Penang, Malaysia.
I found an interesting article on Business Insider Japan.
The title was “Education Migration from Karuizawa to Malaysia.”
Many probably focused on the word “Karuizawa.”
What caught my eye was the preposition “from.”
Did this family “leave” Japan to “move” to Malaysia?
Or did they “add” Penang as a “second base” to Karuizawa as their “first base”?
This difference in perspective is key to understanding the essence of education migration.
The Concept of “Optimization,” Not “Replacement”
The article mentioned that besides “English, safety, and cost,” there was another deciding factor.
It was “an environment that broadens a child’s potential.”
Here lies the core of affluent families’ education strategy.
They did not choose to “abandon” the Japanese environment.
They searched globally for the “optimal environment” to maximize their child’s human capital.
Karuizawa has its own merits.
It’s rich in nature and offers a special educational environment even within Japan.
However, there are limits to international diversity and inquiry-based learning in English.
It’s not about “choosing one over the other,” but “leveraging the strengths of both.”
This is education migration as a family lineage strategy.
Our family’s choice was based on a similar philosophy.
While maintaining our life and business foundation in Japan, we chose Penang as our children’s educational environment.
Our eldest daughter Hikari and eldest son Zen attend an international school.
At school, they learn alongside friends of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Western backgrounds.
This diversity is hard to come by, whether in Karuizawa or Tokyo.
Our youngest daughter Yukari is only one and a half and not yet in school, but growing up in this environment will be a great asset for her.
The Reality of Malaysia, Especially Penang, as a “Second Base”
So, how is Malaysia, especially Penang, as a “second base”?
Like the family in the article, many appreciate “English, safety, and cost.”
These are indeed significant advantages.
According to the latest exchange rate information (as of April 18, 2026), 1 Malaysian Ringgit = 40.20 Yen.
Based on this exchange rate, the cost of living feels about one-third to half that of Japan.
However, what I value most about it as a “second base” is something else.
It’s the balance between “ease of adaptation” and “ease of withdrawal.”
Penang is an international city, yet the pace of life is relatively relaxed.
Chinese culture is deeply rooted, and Chinese characters are commonly seen.
It’s an environment with less psychological burden for families in the early stages of migration, especially those with young children.
International schools like Uplands School are also adept at welcoming students from diverse backgrounds.
On the other hand, it doesn’t have to be a “forever home.”
Our family’s approach aligns with the editorial policy of a “phased migration strategy.”
Penang is optimal as a “first step” to test education migration with low risk.
As the children grow and seek a more academically challenging environment, we consider schools in Kuala Lumpur (KL) as the next step.
Top-tier schools like ISKL are battlefields where the top 1-5% of academic achievers in Asia gather.
A “second base” is a “dynamic base” that can be upgraded as needed.
Children’s Education: From “Consumption” to “Human Capital Investment”
The family that migrated from Karuizawa views education not as “consumption” but as “investment.”
This is an important shift in perspective common among affluent families.
Considering Japan’s structural risks (long-term stagnation, weak yen, aging population), protecting a child’s future solely with yen-denominated assets is insufficient.
Globally applicable human capital—that is, “the child’s own abilities”—is the strongest asset.
This philosophy is reflected in our approach to Hikari and Zen’s education.
Tuition at international schools can indeed be higher than at Japanese private schools.
However, it’s not merely an “expense.”
It’s an “investment” in building a foundation for them to thrive anywhere in the world in the future.
International curricula like IGCSE and IB are the concrete tools of that investment.
These curricula foster critical thinking and inquisitiveness, not just rote memorization.
The Key to Successful Education Migration is a “Flexible Mindset”
The biggest lesson from the migration article from Karuizawa is about mindset.
You don’t need to “abandon everything for an all-or-nothing migration.”
Rather, it’s about “adding” the optimal location for the purpose of education while leveraging existing assets and bases.
This shift in thinking significantly lowers the psychological hurdle.
In actual migration life, things often don’t go as planned.
There are many challenges: visa procedures, house hunting, children’s school adaptation, and more.
However, with the concept of a “second base,” these challenges can be viewed as part of “project management.”
If things don’t go well, you always have the option to adjust your strategy or slow down the pace.
Considering Your Family’s “Second Base”
When considering education migration, you don’t need to assume “permanent residence” from the start.
First, explore the possibilities as a “second base,” like the family from Karuizawa or our family.
Concrete steps could include the following:
- Short-term Experience: First, stay in Penang or elsewhere for 1-2 months. Participating in a local international school’s summer school is also a good method. Hikari and Zen also learned a lot in summer school.
- Trial of a Dual Life: Complete migration might be difficult due to business commitments. In that case, start with a “dual life,” spending a few months of the year in Malaysia.
- Clarifying an Exit Strategy: To some extent, decide in advance on criteria like “how many years to try, and what outcomes would lead to withdrawal.” This is very important for risk management.
Education migration is a major decision for a family.
However, as the choice “from Karuizawa to Malaysia” shows, it is not necessarily an “all-or-nothing” decision.
It’s a strategy to “add” further richness—your child’s future—while preserving the richness you already have.
Where in the world is the optimal “second base” for your family?
The journey of education migration begins with that question.
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