Is Japan Right for Your Child? A Guide for Indian Families

If your child wants to study in Japan from India, you probably have a few questions. Why Japan? What will the course cost? Will they manage without knowing Japanese? These are things to talk about before the applications begin. You are in the right place, as here you will learn how to choose the right course for your child in Japan, and whether a consultant can help.

What Interests Your Child About Japan?

Start by letting them explain. Perhaps they found a course that teaches something they couldn’t find elsewhere. Maybe a college project got your child interested in robotics, or they have been following a researcher’s work. Or maybe they just like Japanese films, food or culture.

Some universities teach degrees in English. This is one way to look at higher education in Japan. Your child must still read the language rules for the course.

Will the Language Be Difficult?

An English course does not mean English all day. Your child will still buy food, take buses and talk about their room. Most of this happens in Japanese.

For the course, do what the university asks. If you are not sure about a language test, email the admissions office before you book it. Tell them the course name.

Can Your Family Manage the Cost?

Put the university’s fee page in front of you and work from there. Does the amount cover tuition alone? Is there an admission fee? Are books, equipment, or practical work charged separately?

Fees differ between institutions and courses. Japan’s official study website provides average first-year costs, including admission and tuition fees, but tells students to confirm the amount with their chosen institution. 

Then look at where your child would live. A room near the campus may cost more but save on travel. A university room might be cheaper, though you’ll need to find out when to apply and what the rent includes.

The official living-cost guide gives a monthly average of ¥105,000, excluding study and research expenses. This comes from JASSO’s 2023 survey, so it’s a starting figure rather than a current quote for your child’s stay. Look at rents near the actual campus before setting your budget. 

Leave money for moving in, too. For the first month, there can be expenses related to bedding, a deposit, and a few necessary kitchen items.

Will Your Child Take Up A Part-Time Job Help?

It could help once your child finds suitable work. Until then, rent and food still need to be paid.

Students with the required permission can generally work up to 28 hours a week during term. That is a limit, rather than a promise of available hours or income. Classes and assignments will also take up time. 

Work out whether your family can manage the course without depending on wages from the beginning.

Scholarships deserve a separate look. Read what each one pays for and when the result will be announced. If the university wants a deposit before that date, you’ll need to decide whether you can afford to continue without the award.

Will Your Child Manage Alone In Japan?

At home, your child may not have to think about cooking, washing clothes, or paying bills. In Japan, they’ll need to fit these jobs around their classes. Let them try a few things before leaving, such as cooking dinner or buying groceries within a budget.

They’ll also need to know where to get help. If they’re ill, which clinic can they visit? Ask the university for these details and save them on their phone. You can go through them together before the journey.

Would a Japan Consultancy Be Useful?

You can apply directly to universities. A Japan consultancy may help if you’re finding the course choices or application steps difficult to understand.

Go into the meeting with the courses you’ve saved and the questions you haven’t answered. Perhaps you need help comparing fees. Perhaps the document instructions are confusing. Explain that rather than starting the whole search again.

Your child should take part in the conversation. They’ll be studying the course, so they need to understand why it has been suggested.

Before you pay a Japan consultancy, ask it to email you what the fee covers and what work is included. Find out who sends the applications and who handles requests for extra documents. Ask about refunds, and ask whether the consultancy is paid by universities. Admission and visa decisions are made by the university and the authorities, not by the consultancy.

What Should You Do Before Deciding?

Pick a few courses. Don’t make a long list. For each course, write down the subjects, the language, the fees, and the last date to apply. Add the cost of a room, too. Write down any questions you still have, so you can email the university.

Then talk about the courses as a family. You may like one course, but another may cost less. Your child may also change their mind after reading the subjects. It is better to find out all the answers to the questions in your mind before you make your final selection.

Conclusion

Hope, all your doubts and questions are cleared if your child wants to study in Japan. If you still have questions on how to go about it, you can get in touch with Jamboree India. It  helps students planning to study in Japan from India with university shortlisting, application reviews and test preparation. Its counsellors also guide students through scholarship applications and interview preparation. After admission, the team provides guidance on documents and visa applications, so support continues beyond choosing a university.