International Schools in Tokyo Bring Diversity to the Local Community

Indian Community Settles in East Tokyo

On the east of the Tokyo metropolis, Koto City fluctuates between tradition and innovation. The Ariake area flourishes with brand-new high-rise apartments buildings, the Aomi area has The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, while the Kiyosumi-Shirakawa area has beautiful Japanese gardens, temples, and a still vibrant population of artisans.

Early in the 21st century the Indian community started to settle in Koto City and the main reason was the creation in 2004 of the India International School in Japan (IISJ). Its founder, Nirmal Jain, says her initiative was part of a bigger plan: "We knew before settling here that there were lots of UR housing in the Ojima area, north of IISJ. UR are very convenient for Indian families because they can move in and out easily at a reasonable rent." 

At the nearby Sarue Onshi Park, a vast oasis of lawn and ponds, an Indian family with small children is taking pictures of a willow tree where a majestic grey heron is sunbathing. A bit to the north, at the old Kameido Katori Kachiun Shopping Arcade a young Indian couple is doing the groceries, a usual scenery here for the past 20 years. "Indian people feel at home because there are many cultural similarities (between Indian and Japanese societies) like the respect of elders, a strong family bond," explains Jain.

Young Indian Talents Are Here to Stay

Jain has been living in Japan for a long time and when she first came here, she really wanted the Indian families around her to feel at home: "Some came at a young age, they got married in Tokyo and had children. They were looking for schools and that is when I said to myself, let's start something, I had lots of experience, but I never thought it would grow that much."

As for today, there are two Indian international schools in Tokyo catering for an ever-growing community, they both follow the Indian curriculum called CBSE (Indian Central Board of Secondary Education), that has been accepted by the ministry of education in Japan. But most surprising is how much the young Indians raised in Tokyo come to love this city: "Lately young Indian talents are not necessarily looking into entering the top western universities. I would say 70% of our students are going to Japan's best universities today. Actually, unless IISJ students have to travel back to India for family reasons they are keen on staying here and start working in Japan."

Reasonable Tuition Fees, a Life Changer

Within the education provided at IISJ, children come to speak their mother tongue and English fluently and gain a very good command of the Japanese language too. They are supported by their whole family, and this was a decisive change: "Our school has a very reasonable tuition fee compared to other international schools in Tokyo, that could be three times as expensive; this was a game changer because before we existed the Indian families couldn't afford (a regular international school) so that only the father was coming to work in Japan without the mother and the kids, so it was very important for me to bring the families together."

There is no school cafeteria in IISJ but because the kid's mothers could travel to Japan, every student comes along with a delicious bento lunch box meal of home making Indian taste. The reputation of the school is growing so much by word of mouth that Japanese students are already knocking on the door, but the nation's School Education Act requires them to take compulsory education in a Japanese school.

Jain Trusts Its Student's Future

If everything is rolling at IISJ, Jain is just a bit worried at overworking, and for this also, it seems Indian families and Japanese families experience the same kind of anxiety: "Indian parents take education very seriously; they often have big expectations for their kids and the stress is passed on to the children. I try to have them relax". You might need excellent grades to get to the best universities abroad, like Ivy League, but in Japan with the declining population there are enough spots for the young generation, explained Jain. "That is what I tell my students: don't worry, if you do reasonably well here you will get a chance at good Japanese universities admission."

Jain, an elegant talker with a passion for education, is also very keen on perpetuating the ancestral Hindu philosophy of Asrama, in this way of thought Indians see the circle of life through four periods or stages: student life, household life, retired life, and spiritual life.

"We talk to the students about good manners, about the respect of elders, about living within a community. In India we have a class about this philosophy but here in IISJ some students come from far away, up to two and a half hours of commute, so it is difficult to add proper Ashram classes after school."

As an introduction, Jain said her goal was to nurture responsible global citizens; a mix of Indian education with Japanese environment seems to be the ideal formula. More than that, the inner peace the Indian children are finding here in this old neighborhood of eastern Tokyo will for sure make them better persons.

Nirmal Jain

Nirmal Jain, a dedicated lifelong educator, has taught at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international schools in Tokyo. In 2004, she founded IISJ to provide Indian IT professionals and their families with the opportunity to experience life in Japan together.