Redefining Educational Travel: Tokyo’s Bold Move into Global Exposure

In a recent decision that has roused spirited discussions among parents in Japan, Tokyo’s Minato Ward proclaimed a shift from domestic to international destinations for their annual 9th-grade school excursions, starting in 2024. This change, while seemingly simple, encapsulates broader issues of cost, cultural exposure, and the evolution of “Shūgaku Ryokō” — the storied Japanese educational trip tradition.

Previously, the excursion cost per student was around 70,000 yen, fully borne by parents. The move overseas, however, catapults this expense to an eye-watering 500,000 yen. To ensure that every graduating student can partake in this enriching journey, the Minato Ward government has earmarked subsidies of 430,000 yen per student. With 760 graduates projected for 2024, the subsidy amounts to a whopping 5.1 billion yen.

Officials from the Minato Ward government emphasize that this change aligns with their mission since 2005, when they were designated by the Japanese government as a “Special Zone for Global Human Resource Development.” Since then, the ward has made significant strides in international education. Initiatives include the establishment of ‘International Studies’ in elementary schools and ‘English International Education’ in middle schools. Since 2007, short-term homestays in Australia have…