International Schools Directory

Nishimachi International School is a dedicated centre for dual-language (English-Japanese), multicultural studies founded in 1949 by Tane Matsukata, a family member of one of Japan's first prime ministers and the sister-in-law to former US Ambassador Edwin Reischauer. The school is recognized by the government of Japan and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. All students, more than half of whom are bilingual, are required to study Japanese language daily. While its course structure is American, supplementary texts from Britain, Canada and Australia are used to educate its students. The faculty consists of teachers from around the world, the majority from the USA, Japan, and Australia. All teachers are fully qualified and experienced professionals. The school exists for those students who can benefit from its dual-language, bicultural emphasis and are medium to long term Tokyo residents. The following groups are fairly consistent in the school's student body: 20% Japanese; 35% American; 20% Japanese-American; 5% Japanese-other nationality; 20% other nationalities (predominantly European and Asian). Nishimachi International School offers a wide range of intercultural activities. Students participate in English and Japanese drama productions, exchanges with Japanese schools, community homestay programs, traditional Japanese arts, publications and sports such as basketball, volleyball and sumo wrestling. Nishimachi maintains a school camp in the mountains for overnight science excursions and summer trips. In winter, students enjoy a week of ski-school in the Japan Alps. The school year runs from September until June. The Japanese students take supplementary courses at the school for three weeks in summer. The Nishimachi International School campus is comprised of five buildings in central Tokyo, including the Founder's former mansion/residence. The school supports a bilingual library and 100 computers for student use. Applicants for admission to Nishimachi International School are screened by a committee. Acceptance is contingent upon availability of space and the individual child's language and academic skills.