School spotlight: The American School in Japan

Schrole is proud to represent some of the very best international schools from around the world. In our School Spotlight series, we’ll take an in-depth look at these schools, detailing their history, ethos, location and of course, benefits, to help you choose the school that best suits you.

Snapshot: The American School in Japan

Year founded: 1902
Public or private: Private school
Profit/Not for profit: Not for profit
Day or boarding: Day
Segregation type: Co-Educational
Religious affiliation: None
Curriculum: Advanced Placement, United States of America
Instructional language: English
Alternate instructional language: None
Start grade: Nursery
End grade: 12

About: The American School in Japan

The American School in Japan (ASIJ) is an independent, co-educational day school serving students of all nationalities.

Founded in 1902, ASIJ offers an American-style college preparatory education for the children of international families, including those on temporary assignment, as well as families who make Tokyo their permanent home.

ASIJ offers a standards-based curriculum culminating in an American high school diploma. ASIJ’s program develops the necessary skills for a student to be successful in their future academic endeavors, including in Advanced Placement courses and other advanced topic courses.

Complementing its academic program, ASIJ encourages students to engage in a wide variety of co-curricular experiences, including fine arts, athletics, and service-related clubs, which the school believes contribute to the development of the whole child.

ASIJ further draws on its unique presence in Japan by incorporating language and cultural studies that celebrate its host country. ASIJ is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

Ethos: The American School in Japan

The American School in Japan (ASIJ) recognises that each member of its community is an individual, with particular gifts and talents as well as specific challenges and needs. Since 1902 the commitment to understand and care for individual students has been central to ASIJ’s culture.

ASIJ believe that the school is at its best as a community when each individual within the community is known and understood as who they are, valued and appreciated for their particular capabilities and strengths, and cared for based on their individual needs.

ASIJ believes that learning is a personal, lifelong process that leads to change, including the ability and willingness to adapt. It’s driven by curiosity and motivation, occurring in a supportive environment rich in engagement, social interaction, and feedback. Learning is constructed in authentic contexts and results in the development of new understandings and skills for all learners.

ASIJ encourage curiosity, model passion and provide a robust academic foundation with opportunities to learn independently. ASIJ inspires a lifelong commitment to learning with joy and enthusiasm for life, beyond the walls of the school. This commitment runs deeply through the school and is illustrated by the many opportunities for students to explore their interests and passions in authentic contexts and for authentic purposes, both in the classroom and in over 170 co-curricular offerings across all grade levels.

ASIJ’s culture of learning will help prepare students for the complex landscape of a constantly shifting future, equipping them with the tools they need to face the challenges of tomorrow.

Location: The American School in Japan

ASIJ is located in one of Asia’s most modern and cosmopolitan capital cities. Served by two international airports, Tokyo is a global hub, a financial center, and the gateway to Japan.

From sub-tropical islands in the south, to the snowy northern island of Hokkaido, Japan offers residents everything from world-class diving to Olympic standard winter sports facilities. With a rich, unique cultural tradition and a technologically driven society, Japan offers a vibrant contrast between the old and new.

Tokyo is one of the world’s safest major cities and offers a high standard of living and excellent quality of life for expatriates, due to its world-class infrastructure, low health risks, low air pollution, and low crime rates.

A thriving and diverse cultural landscape encompases major museums and galleries, a vibrant local music scene, traditional festivals and activities, performances by internationally renowned musicians, and major theme parks all of which make life in Tokyo a rich and entertaining experience.

Next to the Chofu campus is gorgeous Nogawa Park offering 200 acres of walking and bike paths, tennis courts, playgrounds, and wide-open spaces. Close by is the Tama River recreation area, with a bike path extending 40 km from Haneda Airport to the foothills surrounding the city. Some families opt to live close to the school campus, while others may choose to live a little further away in the nearby neighborhood of Kichijoji, which offers a wide range of entertainment activities, shopping, and restaurants.

The weather in Tokyo is seasonal. Hot and humid summers are bookended by rainy and typhoon seasons, while mild autumn and winter months boast beautiful blue skies. Spring in Tokyo offers beauty that is second to none: picturesque cherry blossoms as far as the eye can see.

Benefits: The American School in Japan

Number of contract days: As per policy; typically between 185-190 days.

Starting salary range: For a faculty/teaching positions: BA/BS: 7,700,000 – 8,300,165 JPY MA/MS: 8,300,000 – 8,800,165 JPY *Advance Degree recognized if relevant in the teaching field For Leadership Team positions (i.e. Principal), there is a different scale which will be shared with the candidate who makes the shortlist. In recognition of the significant JPY-USD exchange rate fluctuation in 2022, ASIJ is committed to increasing its Salary & Benefits for the 2023-24 school year. More details will be provided at time of offer.

Taxes: National tax and Local tax combined comprises approx. 20-25%. Local tax is not deducted from initial salary, and takes effect from the June of the following year. The school will file for faculty’s Japanese Tax via payroll for salary portion. Faculty will need to file for their own US tax returns.

Accommodation: Housing allowance varies depending on family status, whether a teacher is single/married and whether they have dependent children. The school provides support locating housing and with rental agreements. Teachers ultimately choose their apartments. Hotel accommodation is provided until housing is determined. For Leadership Team position, (i.e. Principal), school housing is provided.

Retirement: All ASIJ employees participate in a national pension plan which contains both employee and employer contributions. The school also provides a supplemental retirement plan and contributes 13.5% of base salary in each of the first three years. The allowance is adjusted thereafter. The retirement age at ASIJ is 65 years old.

Flights/transport: Initial travel is provided for a foreign-hire teacher and accompanying dependents from their home of record to Tokyo. For each year of employment, an annual home leave allowance between Tokyo and the home of record is provided to foreign-hire teachers, their spouses, and up to two children who reside with them in Japan. In the final year of employment, ASIJ provides the employee and their eligible dependents a one-way travel allowance between Tokyo and the home of record.

Utilities: Faculty responsibility. Utility costs in Japan vary, depending on size of apartment. For school housing for Leadership Team position (i.e. Principal), utilities is covered by the school.

Furniture: Faculty responsibility. Most apartments in Japan are not furnished.

Moving allowance: An annual Housing Allowance is paid depending on family size and marital status. A one-time Relocation Allowance of ¥500,000 is paid upon arrival. Both allowances are on a one-per-family basis. Shipment of household goods is provided for foreign-hire teachers at the beginning of employment in the amount of 1,000 pounds per full-time teacher, 750 pounds for a non-teaching spouse, and 250 pounds for up to two children who will reside with the teacher in Japan. Upon termination of employment these weights are increased based upon the number of years of service. Packing and unpacking service costs are also borne by the school.

Benefit type: The school will cover tuition and all mandatory fees for applicable dependent child enrolled at ASIJ up to two. Tax arising from this benefit is to be borne by the teacher.

Medical: Japan has an excellent national healthcare system with clean and modern facilities. Shigaku Kyosai or PMAC, which stands for Promotion and Mutual Aid Corporation, is Japan’s pension and medical system for the employees of private schools. ASIJ employees are enrolled in Shigaku Kyosai effective August 1, 2022. Both employee and employer contribute to Shigaku Kyosai based on the employee’s Base Salary. The contribution is deducted on a monthly basis as part of payroll. ASIJ also provides International healthcare insurance. Employees are reimbursed for 50% of their deductible (between $400 and $1,000). Hospital and major medical coverage is also provided by ASIJ for care outside of Japan. $1,000 deductible per individual, capped at $3,000 for family. Long-term disability insurance is also provided by the school. Life and personal liability insurance policies are arranged for purchase at a reasonable cost. New teachers should maintain their own coverage through July 31 of the year in which they start employment at ASIJ.

Dental: Dental coverage is provided by the National Healthcare system.

Other: Faculty receive the following leave: Sick Leave (10 days/year, may accumulate up to a max. of 60 days) Professional Development Leave Personal Leave (2 days, may accumulate up to a max. of 5 days) Leave of Absence / Maternity Leave / Paternity Leave / Terminal Illness / Bereavement Leave

Interested in working for The American School in Japan? View vacancies and apply now.