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Busan Japanese School

South Korea, Busan

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Japanese
Fees ₩6,840,000
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational
Opened 1975
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Korean, English
Stages Primary School, Middle School
Introduction

Busan Japanese School is a private, co-educational elementary and middle school operated by the Busan Japanese Association. It is located in Suyeong District, Busan, on a hillside with views toward the Tsushima Strait, near Gwanganli Beach. The school was established on October 1, 1975 and follows the Japanese national curriculum, with local adaptations that include Korean language and English language study. The school comprises an elementary division and a middle division and currently enrolls around 38 students. Staff include teachers dispatched from Japan and local educators. A school bus service operates between the Haewoondae area and the school; usually parents bring students to the bus stops, with arrangements available for delegated pickups.

11 Millak-ro 19beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan, South Korea

The Essentials

Busan Japanese School has instruction in Japanese.

Location
The Busan Japanese School is in Suyeong District, Busan, South Korea. The campus is located at 11 Millak-ro 19beon-gil, Millak-dong, Suyeong-gu. It is about 12 kilometres from central Busan and lies near the Gwangan Beach coastal area.

Stages
The school provides elementary and middle school education as a single integrated program. It operates as a private, small-scale school serving these levels.

Type
The school is a private, integrated elementary and middle school (小中一貫教育校) run under the auspices of the Japanese government and local authorities.

Additional learning support
There is no published, dedicated SEN provision listed. The school employs teachers dispatched from Japan's Ministry of Education along with local Japanese and Korean teachers who deliver the curriculum.

Country affiliation
Japan. The school was established by the Busan Japanese Association under approval by the Japanese and Korean governments.

Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is listed for the school.

School day structure
The official start of the school year is in April. Daily start/end times are not published publicly; parents should contact the school for exact hours.

Bus service
A school bus service operates, with routes managed by the school. Enrollment outside the standard bus routes is possible, but the school-bus cost applies. Monthly operating costs include the bus service. Contact: +82-51-753-4166.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school provides a school bus service for student transport, operated by the School Management Committee. In principle, students commute to and from the school by this bus. If a student lives outside the bus routes, attendance is still possible, but the family must pay the bus operating/cooperation fee as part of the bus system. Admission also requires agreement to the bus-cooperation policy.

Uniform Requirement
There is no strict daily dress code for ordinary school days. For ceremonies such as entrance and graduation, students are expected to wear respectful attire.

House System
The school structures students into Family Groups (縦割り), cross-grade groups that span multiple year levels. These Family Groups promote voluntary activities and develop initiative and agency. Examples of group activities include family cleaning, health and physical education committee led breaks, joint Soran practice by elementary and middle schools, and kitchen/life skills activities.

Governance and Ownership
The school was established by the Busan Japanese Association under authorization by both the Japanese and Korean governments. It operates as a private school overseen by a School Management Committee, with the principal leading the school's administrative structure. The governance policy emphasizes collaboration with external organizations and parent involvement to maintain a safe and well-supported educational environment.
Fees

Annual tuition at Busan Japanese School ranges from KRW 6,840,000 for 2026/27.

Application / Enrollment charges
- Admission fee: KRW 130,000 (per student, payable at enrollment).
- Donation (one-time): KRW 50,000 (per family, payable at enrollment).
- School facility / building fund: JPY 250,000 (or the equivalent amount in KRW) (per family, payable at enrollment). This facility/building fund is explicitly non‑refundable.

Tuition and recurring charges
- School operating fee (treated as the recurring tuition): KRW 570,000 per student, charged monthly.
- PTA fee: KRW 10,000 per family, charged on the same monthly collection schedule as the school operating fee.
- Auxiliary (supplementary) materials fees: collected each school term; amounts are determined and collected per term (amounts not published).

Per-year and per-term amounts (calculation from published monthly rate)
- Per 1 month (published): KRW 570,000.
- Equivalent annual figure (calculated as 12 × monthly rate): KRW 6,840,000 (this is a calculation based on the published monthly amount).
- The school does not publish separate tuition schedules by school year/grade; a single monthly school operating fee is listed for students. Term‑specific tuition amounts are not published; only that supplementary materials fees are collected each term.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Recurring tuition (school operating fee and PTA fee) is described as a monthly charge and is collected monthly.
- Supplementary/materials fees are collected each term.
- Specific payment deadlines, late‑payment penalties and accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, etc.) are not published in the school's fee statements.

Boarding / accommodation
- Boarding is not provided. Students are expected to live with a parent/guardian and have a means to commute to and from school. The school's admission requirements explicitly state that, in principle, a student must live with a parent/guardian and have safe commuting arrangements.

Other costs and optional services
- School bus: a school bus service is provided for commuting in the Haeundae area; the bus is in regular operation, but specific bus fees are not listed.
- Uniforms, school meals and other incidental costs are not itemized in the published fee statements; supplementary materials and other event/activity charges may be collected at term time as required.

Refund information
- The school facility/building fund (JPY 250,000 or equivalent) is explicitly non‑refundable. No other specific refund terms for admission or monthly tuition are published in the school's fee statements.

Fee payment options
- The school's published fee information does not specify accepted payment methods (for example, credit card or bank transfer). Contact details are provided for inquiries.
Academics

Busan Japanese School teaches Bespoke Curriculum.

Curriculum
The Busan Japanese School comprises an elementary division and a junior high division and follows the Japanese national curriculum. The curriculum is aligned with Japan's Course of Study for core subjects and moral education, with local materials incorporated and Korean language and English taught as dedicated programs. Admission qualifications require meeting several criteria, including the need to receive Japanese education, Japanese language ability at grade level, intent to pursue higher education in Japan, guardian residency and bus policy, Busan Japanese Association membership, financial ability, and compliance with laws; foreign Korean nationals must have resided overseas for at least three years, and entrance tests/interviews are conducted. Enrollment requires submitting documents such as enrollment forms, applicant files, enrollment certificates, identity documents, and proof of financial status, with an eligibility review by the school operations committee and potential capacity limitations. Entrance-related fees are 130,000 won for tuition, 50,000 won donation, and 250,000 won facilities usage; ongoing fees include a monthly school operating fee of 570,000 won and PTA dues of 10,000 won per family.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Busan Japanese School supports social-emotional learning through a school-wide anti-bullying policy that states bullying is not tolerated and every student is valuable. The policy includes rights-based education and aims to develop students' self-esteem and moral understanding across activities. A School Anti-Bullying Countermeasures Committee leads prevention, early detection, and response, with members including the principal, deputy principal, and classroom/teacher staff. The school uses structured practices such as weekly student information exchanges, annual student surveys (three times per year), and education consultations to identify concerns early. The policy emphasizes collaboration with families to support student wellbeing and address issues holistically.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision. Published materials do not describe any SEN program, specific SEN staff, or the kinds of SEN the school can support. The Admissions FAQ indicates general staff with English, Korean, and other subjects, but does not publish SEN-specific services. No SEN policy or dedicated SEN facility is described in publicly accessible materials. The absence of published SEN details means SEN provision is not publicly confirmed.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The language of instruction is Japanese, and the school operates as a private, integrated elementary–middle school in Busan. English language instruction is provided by teachers dispatched by the Japanese Ministry of Education and by local Japanese and Korean teachers, including English. The materials do not describe a dedicated EAL program or EAL staff beyond these general English-teaching assignments. Because of this, EAL-specific provisions are not described in publicly accessible materials.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through the anti-bullying policy, which aims to create a safe, rights-based environment and to develop students' self-esteem and resilience. The policy emphasizes moral education and emotional growth across all educational activities. The School Anti-Bullying Countermeasures Committee coordinates prevention, early detection, and response to incidents. The school uses weekly student information exchanges and annual surveys to monitor wellbeing and identify concerns early. The policy also calls for collaboration with families to support students' wellbeing.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is addressed by an explicit anti-bullying policy that defines bullying and outlines staff and parental responsibilities to protect students. It establishes a School Anti-Bullying Countermeasures Committee to manage safeguarding efforts. The policy details procedures for early detection, investigation, and resolution of incidents, including engagement with families and ongoing care for those affected. It emphasizes creating a school culture that does not tolerate bullying and actively supports victims and addresses perpetrators with guidance and follow-up. It also describes regular information exchanges and surveys to monitor students and identify safeguarding concerns.
Parent Experience

History
The Busan Japanese School was established on October 1, 1975 (Showa 50). It was founded by the Busan Japanese Association with approval from both the Government of Japan and the Government of Korea. The campus sits on a hillside overlooking Gwangan Beach in Busan and is described as the closest Japanese overseas school to Japan. It is a private, small-scale, integrated elementary and middle school. The school celebrated its 50th anniversary with a commemorative ceremony in December 2025.

Community
The school maintains a vibrant, family-oriented learning community with regular student activities and events. In 2025 the calendar included an aviation class, a lower-grade market day, a sports day with preparatory activities, and an intercultural exchange with Unbon Elementary School for grades 4–6. The 50th anniversary celebration involved students, families and staff, and the school also hosted a beach marathon in favorable weather. In January 2026 the school held its first reading session of the year as part of ongoing literacy events.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
A parent-facing portion of the school's site exists (For Parents in the site navigation), indicating an active parent community. Public postings show parent participation in events such as the Family Dodgeball and the 50th anniversary ceremony, with preparation posts and coverage of the events. In addition to these events, the school has hosted exchanges and other activities that involve families, suggesting an active PTA-like role in coordinating volunteers and supporting school life. The 50th anniversary and other events underscore ongoing parent engagement in the school community. The school's news items about parent-involved activities, including preparedness for large events and family participation, are evidence of the PTA's visible role.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Busan Japanese School is a private, integrated elementary and middle school established by the Busan Japanese Association with approvals from both the Government of Japan and the Government of Korea. It is located on a hillside overlooking Gwangan Beach in Busan. The school describes itself as the Japanese school closest to Japan. The campus is small in scale but provides a substantive educational program.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Integrated Studies Time (総合的学習の時間) was introduced for elementary grades 3 and up in 1999 to support inquiry-based, cross-disciplinary learning. The school also runs the JAL Aviation Classroom in collaboration with Japan Airlines, where pilots and cabin crew share insights about aviation careers and operations. The curriculum includes a career-education focus and language-enhanced project learning, with dedicated activities to develop language skills and problem-solving (広安タイム).

Arts & Creative
The school hosts performing arts events such as the BJS Christmas Concert, featuring student performances. Visual arts activities include mural projects and art-related competitions documented in the school's history. Cultural and arts experiences also extend to classical concert viewings and related performances.

Cultural & Language
The school plans year-round exchanges and multicultural education to deepen international understanding. It maintains an exchange with Islamabad Japanese School, including organized activities and cross-border interaction. The school partners with local groups such as Busan International Exchange Associations and Korean-Japanese cultural organizations to promote intercultural understanding.

Social & Hobbies
There are social and informal activities such as family dodgeball events that involve the school community. Students participate in group activities and cultural dances (for example, ソーラン節) during exchanges and school events. The school also hosts concerts and other cultural gatherings that contribute to social life beyond classes.

Community & Service
YMIS (Youth Multicultural International Service) has provided supplies to the school as part of community support. The school has engaged in cross-cultural outreach through exchanges with other international schools, such as Islamabad Japanese School. Past activities include visits to local community sites (e.g., Nazaré Garden) and ongoing collaboration with intercultural organizations in Busan.

Leadership & Professional
There is student involvement in school governance through児童生徒会活動 (student council activities). The school emphasizes a nine-year career-education track and expanded career guidance to support students' post-school pathways. The School Operations Committee and collaborative leadership structures provide organizational support for school activities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school maintains annual sports events, including運動会 (sports day), with physical activity forming part of the school routine. Swimming classes are part of the curriculum, typically conducted as multi-day sessions. The school also emphasizes physical fitness and language learning through regular activity blocks such as 広安タイム, which combines movement with language activities.
Languages

Language Provision
The Busan Japanese School is a private integrated elementary–middle school (小中一貫教育校) in Busan, serving elementary and junior high grade levels on a single campus. The school employs teachers dispatched from the Japanese Ministry of Education, as well as Japanese and Korean teachers living in Busan, who teach classes; English and Korean are among the subjects taught, along with arts. Admission requires Japanese language ability at a level corresponding to the student's grade in Japan.
Reputation

Accreditations
The Busan Japanese School is authorized by both Japanese and Korean authorities. Specifically:
- Authorization by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA); Significance: This official recognition indicates the school's curriculum is aligned with Japan's public-school standards and guidance, supporting equivalence of its education with Japanese schools.
- Authorization by the Korean government's Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Significance: In Korea, the school is positioned under the Korean Education Act as a type of school, meaning it operates within Korean education law while delivering a Japanese-curriculum framework.
- Curriculum alignment: The school's program is based on Japan's national curriculum, with local materials and additional Korean and English language components; Significance: It maintains fidelity to Japanese education while incorporating relevant local context.
- Staffing model: The teaching staff includes instructors dispatched from MEXT and local teachers hired by the Busan Japanese School Steering Committee; Significance: This combination supports continuity with the Japanese curriculum and local administrative oversight.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Initiate contact and arrange a tour. To begin the admissions process, contact Busan Japanese School by email or phone. The deputy principal provides detailed responses to inquiries, and if a campus visit is desired, a visit date can be scheduled. This initial step establishes whether a tour and a discussion about enrollment fit your family's needs.

2. Review eligibility for non-Japanese applicants. Admissions can be considered for students regardless of nationality, provided several conditions are met: there is a recognized need for receiving Japanese education in the student's current or future academic plan; Japanese language ability should be at or above the level of the student's grade; the student intends to pursue higher education in Japan; the guardian resides with the student and can ensure safe attendance; the guardian is a member or supporting member of the Busan Association; the family can meet admission and ongoing tuition obligations; there is compliance with education-related laws; and the family agrees with the school bus co-operation policy.

3. Understand the school bus policy and out-of-route options. The school operates a bus service as a general policy, but enrollment is possible even from areas outside the bus routes. If you choose not to use the bus, you will be responsible for paying the bus operation costs as a co-management arrangement. This ensures flexibility in commute planning while maintaining the school's transportation framework.

4. Plan textbooks and educational materials. If you are coming from abroad, you must obtain textbooks from the Overseas Children Education Promotion Foundation before departing. For other entrants, textbooks should be procured through the consulate annually while enrolled. This ensures students have the required instructional materials aligned with their enrollment.

5. Learn about staff and instructional composition. The teaching staff includes instructors dispatched by Japan's Ministry of Education as well as Japanese residents and Korean teachers who handle English, Korean, and arts subjects. This mixture supports a bilingual or multilingual learning environment aligned with the school's educational aims.

6. Note the dress expectations for daily life and ceremonies. There is no strict daily uniform requirement, but students are expected to dress in a respectful manner for ceremonial events such as the entrance and graduation ceremonies. This approach balances everyday comfort with ceremony-specific etiquette.

7. Consider mid-year admission timing and planning. Admissions consultations are handled on an ongoing basis. However, for junior high students nearing high school entrance exams, near-term admissions may be challenging, so early consultation is encouraged to align timelines and planning with school schedules.

8. Be prepared for enrollment fees. At the time of offer, families pay the following: an admission fee of 130,000 KRW per student; a donation of 50,000 KRW per family; and a facility donation of 2,500,000 KRW or the equivalent amount in Japanese yen (250,000 JPY). These fees are non-refundable in many cases and are due upon acceptance.

9. Understand monthly operating expenses and PTA dues. Each month, families are responsible for the school operating fee of 570,000 KRW (including bus operation costs) and a PTA fee of 10,000 KRW. These recurring costs cover school operations and parent association activities.

10. Review post-middle-school pathways the school notes. For students completing middle school, recent outcomes include admissions to several Japanese and international institutions, such as Kaisei High School, Seibu Gakuen Bunri High School, Tokyo Gakugei University Affiliated High School, Hibiya High School, Waseda University Senior High School, Busan International Foreign School, and other listed universities/high schools in Japan. This information illustrates typical higher-education trajectories observed among graduates.

Scholarships
There is no scholarship program described in the admissions information. No details about scholarships or financial aid are published in the provided materials; families should rely on the stated enrollment and monthly fees when planning finances.

Waitlist
The admissions information does not publish a formal waitlist or applicant pool policy. For current availability and next steps, contact the school's office to discuss space and timing.
School Events
The school has not added events
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