IB Education in Japan

Japan has implemented the following in the past.

Regarding the university entrance qualification, since 1979, The International Baccalaureate Organization (known as the IB) Diploma graduates have been recognized as having the academic ability equivalent to or higher than that of high school graduates based on the School Education Act.
Public Notice of the Ministry of Education No. 47 of 1948, Science, Sports and Culture (Regarding university admission stipulated in Article 150, item (iv), of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the School Education Act, those who are recognized as having the academic ability equivalent to or higher than that of high school graduates) (excerpt)
Since FY 2013, the development and introduction of DP courses in Japanese, which were designed to enable some subjects within the Diploma Programme* to be offered in Japanese as well, has been promoted in collaboration with the IB. Some of the IB World Schools have provided DP courses in Japanese since April 2015.
*Subjects that could be offered in Japanese are as follows:
Economics; geography; history; biology; chemistry; physics; mathematics; mathematical studies; music; fine arts; theory of knowledge (TOK); extended essay (EE); and creativity, activity, and service (CAS).
(Even in the DP in Japanese, students are required to complete two out of six subjects [usually, one more subject in addition to Group 2 (Foreign Language)] in English or other languages.)
As for the subjects that can be conducted in Japanese, subject guidebooks and others that are translated in Japanese can be viewed from the following links. (All of the documents subject to translation are not listed on the site since some subject guidebooks are being translated. Such non-listed documents will be posted as soon as the translation is complete.)
Website of the IB in Japanese
In May 2013, the Liaison Committee for the IB English-Japanese Dual Language Diploma Programme was established by high schools interested in the IB centering on Tokyo Gakugei University with the aim of sharing information toward the introduction of the IB programmes.
International Baccalaureate Advisory Committee, Japan, conducted a review of the issues and measures for the introduction and expansion of the IB in Japan, and finalized its proposals (report) to achieve it in April 2014.
In addition, the following efforts have been made toward the introduction and expansion of the IB:
- Promotion of the use of the IB in university entrance examinations in Japan
  The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) encourages universities to use the IB qualification and scores when selecting candidates for university admission. Please refer to Research and Study for the current introduction status of the IB in universities.
- The development and securing of faculty capable of teaching IB programmes
  – In Japan, actively holding workshops (in Japanese) for IB teacher training
  – Promoting the granting of a special license to foreign teachers
  In June 2014 from the perspective of promoting the granting of a special license to people who have excellent knowledge and experience, including foreign instructors, the MEXT formulated the Guidelines for the teacher’s examination related to the granting of a special license and then notified each prefectural board of education of those guidelines.
  – Establishment of IB teacher training course at universities
- Special measures for the curriculum to promote the introduction of the IB
  In August 2015, the Ordinance for Enforcement of the School Education Act was partially amended as follows, and special exceptions to the curriculum were made to allow DP-authorized schools to both provide the IB programme and meet the curriculum guidelines (Public Notice of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology No. 127).
  ◇ Special measures for the curriculum to promote the introduction of the IB Diploma Programme (dated August 19, 2015)
- Provision and dissemination of the information related to the IB
- Preparation of the guides to IB authorization
  Preparing materials in Japanese that would provide the necessary information clearly for boards of education and schools to consider the introduction of the IB
  ◇ Guide to IB Authorization (for Diploma Programme) (Introduction to Chapter 4) revised in March 2019
  ◇ Guide to IB Authorization (for Diploma Programme) (Chapter 5 to Appendices) revised in March 2019
  ◇ Guide to IB Authorization (for Middle Years Programme) (Chapter 1 to Chapter 6)
  ◇ Guide to IB Authorization (for Middle Years Programme) (Chapter 7 to Appendices)

Proposals on the promotion of the IB

(1) Expert Committee on the Study for the Promotion of the IB

Since the government’s goal to increase the number of the IB World Schools to over 200 would reach its final year in FY 2022, it was necessary to discuss how to spread and promote the IB in the future, taking into consideration the changes in the social situation at that time and the medium-to-long-term perspective for the future. The Panel of Experts Pertaining to Discussion for the Spread and Promotion of the IB has been held since October 2022, and the Panel released its report in March 2023.

“the IB enables students to acquire accomplishments and skills that can cope with globalization and to acquire internationally recognized eligibility for university admission. By spreading its educational effects and successful cases, we will strategically take the initiative to support its introduction into high schools as well as to promote its utilization at universities in order to secure excellent human resources and diversity both in Japan and overseas.”

Plans in the past

Third Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education (period covered: FY 2018 to FY 2022)
Second Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education (period covered: FY 2013 to FY 2017)
Next Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education (Report) at the Central Council for Education on March 8, 2023

(3) Grand design and implementation plan for new capitalism

The Grand Design and Implementation Plan for New Capitalism (approved by the Cabinet on June 7, 2022)

“Aiming to increase the number of the IB World Schools to over 200 by the end of FY 2022, we will provide consultations and public relations activities, as well as consider the measures to promote the utilization of the IB at universities, to reach a conclusion by the end of FY 2022.”

(4) Council for the Creation of Future Education

Universities driving the future of our country and the way the society should be (the first recommendation) (May 10, 2022)

“Through interactive and collaborative classes, we will develop human resources who can respond to globalization with the ability to find and solve problems independently, as well as develop communication skills, and we aim to spread and promote the IB, which is an educational program that enables students to obtain internationally recognized university-entrance qualifications.”

Japan-Mobility and Internationalisation: Re-engaging and Accelerating Initiative for future generations (the second recommendation) (April 27, 2023)

“We will promote the development of an educational environment that allows students to take international educational programs, such as the IB, and promote the development of international secondary education institutions and support the school management of these institutions, such as the development of base schools that would contribute to the development of global human resources at the high school level.”
“After verifying the effects of the Super Global University (SGU) Project, we will improve the environment so that universities can continue to strive for further thorough internationalization and development of global human resources, such as developing the global human resources in collaboration with local governments and companies, promoting globalization in priority fields, encouraging the recruitment of faculty members who have obtained degrees abroad, enhancing courses that allow students to graduate from university using only English, utilizing the IB for admission selection, and enhancing study abroad programs.”

(5) Japan Business Federation

Recommendations for formulating the Next Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education (October 11, 2022)　

“the IB World Schools that provide IB education are making efforts to develop human resources who have a global perspective and the ability to find and solve problems. However, awareness of the IB is low in Japan, and the pace of the increase in the number of schools that implement this program is slow.
In order to promote IB education, universities need to expand entrance examinations utilizing the IB and continue to disseminate the effectiveness of IB education in collaboration with industry, government and academia. The business community is required to appropriately evaluate IB graduates when hiring and utilizing human resources.”

Proposals in the past

The Second Proposal of Primary and Secondary Education Reform for Society 5.0 (November 17, 2020)
Basic Thinking on Education Reform – Formulating the Third Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education – (April 19, 2016)
Proposals for Educational Reform Aiming at Nurturing Global Talent for Japan’s Next Generation (April 15, 2014)
Fostering People who can excel in the global arena – A follow-up proposal for the development of global talent – (June 13, 2013)

(6) Japan Business Federation

Schedule for the Action Plan for Future Vision of National Universities (September 14, 2015)

As part of the entrance examination reform, national universities plan to expand the quota for entrance examinations through recommendation, admissions office, and the IB (aim for 30% of the quota).

IB Education in Japan

Proposals on the promotion of the IB

(1) Expert Committee on the Study for the Promotion of the IB

Report (March 2023)

Panels of Experts in the past

(2) Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education