Japanese School

Also known as: DJS, Japanese School Dubai

Japanese School is a private Japanese curriculum school in Al Wasl, Dubai, for boys and girls from Pre-KG to Grade 9. KHDA rated the school Good in its 2023–24 inspection. Tuition for 2026–27 is AED 32,400 to AED 38,400 a year, depending on the year group.

Sources: KHDA inspection report 2023–24, p. 6; KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.

rating
GoodKHDA 2023–24, p. 6What Good means
fee
AED 32,400 – 38,400a year, Pre-KG to Grade 9, 2026–27Fees by year group at every school
whole
Which year group?See its fee and the cost to the end of school
students
173 students2024–25, KHDA school directory

The map shows the streets and places around the school. The same places are counted in «Within 1 km» below.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Fees at this school, 2026–27

AED 32,400 – 38,400a year, Pre-KG to Grade 9, 2026–27

Year group

Not sure? Work it out from a birth date

Not included: transport, uniform, books, trips, sibling discounts.

See all fees

KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.

Overview

Admissions

Places
KHDA does not publish how many places are free at a school or its waiting list. Ask the school directly, and early.
Age on entry
Counted on 31 March; the school year starts in April.Source UAE Ministry of Education, Admission Age Guide, p. 9
Apply
japanese.sch.ae+971 4 344 9119djs_koch@emirates.net.aeTelephone and e-mail as KHDA's school directory lists them, checked 18 September 2026. How admission works across Dubai →
Fees on entry
«New Students — Application Fees : AED 500 (Assessment fees included)»«New Students — Enrolment Fees : Up to 10% of the tuition fees non refundable & deductible from the 1st term fees»Source KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27, Pre-KG
Inspections
This school's latest full inspection report is 2023–24. KHDA’s visits resume in 2026–27. A full inspection brings a new rating; a shorter monitoring visit does not. Ratings and reports →Source KHDA, 3 June 2026

The school

Curriculum
Japanese
Year groups
Pre-KG–Grade 9
Gender
Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24Report wording: Boys and girls
Languages of instruction
Japanese
Founded
1980
External examinations
Japanese Ministry of Education Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Accreditation
Japanese Ministry of Education Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Extra-curricular activities
Dance (other), confirmed
Principal
Satoko Kato
  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2024–25

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B

KHDA in brief

KHDA’s own one-page summary of its 2023–24 inspection, written for parents, word for word. The full inspection report remains the reference. Source A: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only

Students’ achievement

Students generally make good or better progress learning Japanese, English, mathematics and science. Their progress learning Arabic is only acceptable. Students demonstrate good learning skills from the Kindergarten (KG) on up to the Junior High phase. Their critical thinking and problem solving skills are developing, but inconsistently across these different subjects.

Personal and social development

Students demonstrate positive attitudes toward school life. They are almost always engaged in learning. They are polite, respectful and helpful in and outside of their classrooms. Students demonstrate healthy lifestyles, with good diets and regular exercise. They show awareness and appreciation of the UAE and the values of Islam. Students are developing leadership skills and make contributions to the school community.

Teaching, curriculum and care

The quality of teaching is good overall. Most lessons are interesting and enable students to make good progress. Teachers have the necessary subject knowledge to deliver the Japanese curriculum. The learning environments are appropriate for teaching most subjects. Teachers use time and resources well, but some classrooms have insufficient resources, especially for the specialist subjects. The school’s assessments of learning are of good quality overall. Teachers know how well their students are learning and provide helpful guidance toward improvement. The school’s collection and analysis of assessment data have yet to be done systematically.

Wellbeing

School-wide policies offer a developing vision for well-being and are resulting in a positive and inclusive school environment. Initiatives in response to survey data are effectively implemented, fostering a supportive school climate. Data from a variety of surveys have been collected and analysed to gauge the well-being of students, the staff and parents. Actions plans are based on a range of outcomes from the survey data and outline the areas in need of development.

Inclusion

The school has effective inclusion policies and procedures. The inclusion and admission teams work together to build an accurate understanding of students’ needs. Parents of students of determination appreciate the progress their children are making. They are guided to plan their children’s individual education programmes. E ffective personal support from the staff contributes to students' well-being and independence.

Leadership and management

The school is well led by a newly appointed principal from Japan. All leaders share a vision for the school, which is achieved. The school’s internal evaluation procedures are underdeveloped. Leaders maintain strong partnerships with parents and the local Japanese community. Governance of the school is weak due the instability of members on the governing board. The resources for teaching and learning are best in the KG section.

  1. Back to text, source A

    Parent Report 2023–24

    Summary only

    Page 1

    Checked 16 September 2026.

    Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.

What parents told KHDA (survey, 2019–20)

The 2022–23 inspection report has no parents’ survey section. Inspectors mention parents’ views in it: Source A: Full Inspection Report 2022–23

  • Parents are very pleased with the contribution which the school makes to wellbeing. p. 8
  • They indicate that their children are very well supported. p. 8

Before each inspection, KHDA surveys parents; this is how the 2019–20 inspection report, 6 years ago, sums up their answers in the inspectors’ words, and parents’ opinions may have changed since.

2019–20 inspection · 52 parents responded Source B: Full Inspection Report 2019–20

Overall

  • Most are involved in the school, at least monthly.

Safety and care

  • They believe that they have sufficient information to support their child at home and that the school is safe.
  • Most believe that their child has someone to trust at the school and that relationships with other students are positive.

Leadership

  • Nearly all parents’ express satisfaction with the school and indicate that staff listen to their views.

  1. Back to text, source A
  2. Back to text, source B

Fees 2026–27

Japanese School tuition for 2026–27 is AED 32,400 (Grade 1 to Grade 3) to AED 38,400 (Pre-KG to KG2) across 12 year groups, as published in the school's KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.Note 1Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

Year group

Fees for Japanese School
Compare with

Tuition is unchanged from 2025–26 in every year group.

Annual tuition by year group, Japanese School, 2026–27 compared with 2025–26

Year group2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–272025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Foundation Stage
Pre-KGAED 38,400AED 38,400
KG1AED 38,400AED 38,400
KG2AED 38,400AED 38,400
Primary
Grade 1AED 32,400AED 32,400
Grade 2AED 32,400AED 32,400
Grade 3AED 32,400AED 32,400
Grade 4AED 33,000AED 33,000
Grade 5AED 33,000AED 33,000
Grade 6AED 33,000AED 33,000
Secondary
Grade 7AED 33,600AED 33,600
Grade 8AED 33,600AED 33,600
Grade 9AED 33,600AED 33,600

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    The range names the lowest and highest tuition on one Fees Fact Sheet. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

  2. Back to text, source A

    Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

    Tuition for 12 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  3. Back to text, source B

    Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26

    Tuition for 12 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  4. Back to text, note 2

    Change compares the same year group in the two fact sheets. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

Japanese School fees 2026–27 by year group Also the 2025–26 figures, fees since 2012–13 and other charges.

What a year costs, Pre-KG, 2026–27

Showing Pre-KG. Choose another year group above to see its costs.

Tuition
AED 38,400
Entrance fee (New Students Only)Once, when a child joins; not paid every year
AED 3,200
KHDA's total for the yearKHDA's total includes the one-off fee for a new student
AED 41,600

A year, before optional servicesAED 38,400

Joining and re-enrolling

Re-enrollment fees · Existing Students
Up to 5% of the tuition fees or AED 500 (whichever is higher), non-refundable and deductible from the 1st term fees
Application Fees · New Students
AED 500 (Assessment fees included)
Enrolment Fees · New Students
Up to 10% of the tuition fees, non-refundable and deductible from the 1st term fees

The school requested not to increase the tuition fees for the academic year 2026–⁠27. Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

Ranges are shown as KHDA prints them, never as a single middle figure.

Inspection

2023–24

Earlier reports

  1. 13 earlier reports, see all years

Inclusion Dubai focus area

Acceptable

2023–24

Checked 16 September 2026.

KHDA ratings

KHDA ratings in the Full Inspection Report 2023–24. Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

KHDA’s visits resume in 2026–27. A full inspection brings a new rating; a shorter monitoring visit does not.Source KHDA, 3 June 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  1. OverallOverall performance

    Good

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 13 reports.

  2. WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing

    Not available

    2023–24

  3. InclusionProvision for students of determination

    Acceptable

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Acceptable in 1 report and Weak in 1 report.

  4. LeadershipLeadership and management

    Good

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 1 report.

Checked 16 September 2026.

Wellbeing, 2022–23 report: High

«The quality of wellbeing provision and outcomes is at a high level.» p. 8

In 2021-22 and 2022-23 KHDA judged wellbeing on its own scale — Very high, High, Moderate, Low — not the six inspection words, so it is shown in its own words and not compared with them.

Ratings by phase, 2023–24KHDA rates these in each phase, with no single rating for the whole school. Phases are named as the report names them.

AreaKGElementaryJunior High
TeachingTeaching for effective learningGoodGoodGood
AssessmentGoodGoodGood
CurriculumCurriculum design and implementationGoodAcceptableAcceptable
Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptationGoodGoodGood
SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protectionGoodAcceptableAcceptable

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

What the KHDA scale means

KHDA rates schools on six levels. Good is the level KHDA expects of every school; Acceptable is the minimum level it requires.

Outstanding
«Quality of performance substantially exceeds the expectation of the UAE»23 schools in Dubai hold it now
Very good
«Quality of performance exceeds the expectation of the UAE»47 schools in Dubai hold it now
GoodThis school
«Quality of performance meets the expectation of the UAE»«This is the expected level for every school in the UAE»85 schools in Dubai hold it now
Acceptable
«Quality of performance meets the minimum level of quality required in the UAE»«This is the minimum level for every school in the UAE»52 schools in Dubai hold it now
Weak
«Quality of performance is below the expectation of the UAE»No school in Dubai holds it now
Very weak
«Quality of performance is significantly below the expectation of the UAE»No school in Dubai holds it now

Japanese School was rated Good in 2023–24, one of 85 schools at this level.

Reports before 2015–16 used four levels, not these six. 21 of Dubai's 228 open schools hold no six-level rating yet. Counted the way Market Statistics counts ratings, for the schools open today.

Source UAE School Inspection Framework 2015–16, p. 19 (KHDA)

History

14 KHDA inspection reports on file, 2008–09 to 2023–24.

History of Japanese School
Rating

Overall rating by academic year, newest first

  1. 2026–27Inspections resume this year. No report yet.
  2. 2024–25 and 2025–26KHDA paused full inspections. The 2023–24 rating is still the latest. About the pause
  3. 2023–24GoodSame as 2022–23Note 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  4. 2022–23GoodSame as 2019–20Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  5. 2020–21 and 2021–22No inspection.
  6. 2019–20GoodSame as 2018–19Full Inspection Report 2019–20 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  7. 2018–19GoodSame as 2017–18Full Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  8. 2017–18GoodSame as 2016–17Full Inspection Report 2017–18 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  9. 2016–17GoodSame as 2015–16Full Inspection Report 2016–17 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  10. 2015–16GoodSame as 2014–15Full Inspection Report 2015–16 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  11. Six-level scale starts in 2015–16. Earlier reports used four levels.
  12. 2014–15GoodSame as 2013–14Full Inspection Report 2014–15 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  13. 2013–14GoodSame as 2012–13Full Inspection Report 2013–14 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  14. 2012–13GoodSame as 2011–12Full Inspection Report 2012–13 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  15. 2011–12GoodSame as 2010–11Full Inspection Report 2011–12 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  16. 2010–11GoodSame as 2009–10Full Inspection Report 2010–11 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  17. 2009–10GoodSame as 2008–09Full Inspection Report 2009–10 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  18. 2008–09GoodFirst reportFull Inspection Report 2008–09 (opens in a new tab) PDF

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Change compares each report with the school’s previous report. Years with no inspection are skipped, never counted as a change.

Findings

10 findings in the last report: 5 strengths, 5 development points, 4 recurring across the last 5 reports.

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

Attainment and progress

Note 1

1 strength

  • Strength

    The good progress made by students in most key subjects

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 3

Personal development and wellbeing

1 strength

  • Strength

    The students' good personal and social development

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 4

Teaching

1 strength

  • Strength

    The good quality of teaching and assessment of learning

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 5

Health, safety and safeguarding

1 strength, 1 development point

  • Strength

    The good protection, care, guidance and support of students

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 6

  • Development required, recurring in 3 of the last 5 reportsNote 2

    Improve the provision for health and safety in the main building.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 11

Parents and community

1 strength

  • Strength

    The very good partnerships with parents

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 7

Arabic

2 development points

  • Development required, recurring in 3 of the last 5 reports

    Improve the progress made by students learning Arabic to good levels in both phases.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 9

  • Development required, recurring in 3 of the last 5 reports

    Extend the provision of Arabic in the timetable so that it complies with local regulations.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 10

Leadership and self-evaluation

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 5 of the last 5 reports

    Ensure that the school's internal evaluations are accurate across all performance indicators.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 12

Governance

1 development point

  • Development required

    Improve the quality of governance to a good level as described in the KHDA School Inspection Framework.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 13

Findings from 1 of 11 reports

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Topics follow the order of the KHDA inspection framework, not how good or bad a finding is.

  2. Back to text, note 2

    Recurring counts the school’s last 5 reports, 2017–18 to 2023–24. Findings come only from Full Inspection Reports, never from Parent Reports.

Leadership

Principal at the 2023–⁠24 inspection
Ms. Satoko Kato Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Appointed 4 Jul 2023, as the report prints it.
Principals since 2011–⁠12
5 changes of principal Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Masanori Nagamine, 2011–12 → Mr. Massanori Nagamine, 2012–13 to 2013–14 → Mr. OSAMU OKAMURA,, 2014–15 to 2016–17 → Akihiko Yamamoto, 2017–18 → Masao Wada, 2019–20 to 2022–23 → Ms. Satoko Kato, 2023–24
  1. Back to text, source A

Subjects

Academic outcomes, Japanese School

Attainment by subject and phase, 2023–24KHDA words for each subject in each phase.

SubjectFoundation StagePrimarySecondary
ScienceGoodGoodGood

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

Arabic at every school in Dubai: at least 4 lessons a week from Year 2 to Year 10 for a child of non-Arab nationality. Arab children have 4 to 6 lessons to Year 13; Muslim children also study Islamic Education.Source KHDA, Guidelines on National Mandatory Subjects, page 14 (opens in a new tab)

Subjects over the years

KHDA's words in every Full Inspection Report since 2015–16, each row and phase as the reports print them.

Subjects over the years, Japanese School

Arabic, by inspection report

Rated2015–162016–172017–182019–202022–23
Arabic as an additional language attainmentElementaryAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
Arabic as an additional language attainmentHighAcceptableAcceptableNot in this reportAcceptableAcceptable
Arabic as an additional language attainmentJunior HighArabic as an additional language attainment, Junior High: not rated from 2015–16 to 2016–17AcceptableArabic as an additional language attainment, Junior High: not rated from 2019–20 to 2022–23
Arabic as an additional language progressElementaryAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
Arabic as an additional language progressHighAcceptableAcceptableNot in this reportAcceptableAcceptable
Arabic as an additional language progressJunior HighArabic as an additional language progress, Junior High: not rated from 2015–16 to 2016–17AcceptableArabic as an additional language progress, Junior High: not rated from 2019–20 to 2022–23

International and benchmark tests

The National Agenda section of each Full Inspection Report since 2015–16: the school's results in PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS and benchmark tests against KHDA's targets. The only results in the reports that are not an inspector's judgement.

KHDA's verdicts, 2019–20

AspectWhole school
The school's implementation of moral educationis above expectations
The school's provision, leading to measurably improved outcomes in reading across the curriculumis underdeveloped
The school's promotion of a culture of innovationunderdeveloped

Not applicable for this school.

Earlier reports

  • 2018–19: The school’s provision, leading to raised outcomes in reading across the curriculum — is underdeveloped
  • 2017–18: no verdict read
  1. Back to text, source A

Calendar 2026–27: term dates and holidays

13 Apr 2026 to 5 Mar 2027 · 183 school days

Eid al-Adha
26 May 2026 to 29 May 20264 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting
Islamic New Year
16 Jun 2026expected, subject to moon sighting
Summer break includes Prophet’s birthday
17 Jul 2026 to 25 Aug 202640 days
Other school holidays
12 Oct 2026
Other school holidays
30 Nov 2026
National Day
2 Dec 2026 to 3 Dec 20262 days
Winter break includes New year’s day
21 Dec 2026 to 6 Jan 202717 days
Other school holidays
25 Jan 2027
Other school holidays
15 Feb 2027

Public holidays are tentative and subject to official government announcements (KHDA).

Source Source A: KHDA school directory 2026–27

Fridays: every private school in Dubai finishes by 11:30, since 9 January 2026.Source The National, 19 Dec 2025 (opens in a new tab)

During Ramadan, whose dates follow the moon, KHDA caps the school day at five hours; each school confirms its own times.Source Gulf News (opens in a new tab)

How these dates compare with other Dubai schools: holidays 2026–27, break by break

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 18 September 2026.

Activities

Sports and activities

What the school lists on its own website and what KHDA’s inspectors mention in their reports. An activity missing here may still be offered.

Dance

  • Dance (other) · dancing

Facilities

  • Music rooms

Mentioned in earlier KHDA reports

  • Cultural dance
  • Drama
  • Athletics
  • Art
  • Choir & singing

Also mentioned: radio club, home economics

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

What the school offers

As the 2023–24 inspection report mentions them. Inspectors name these in passing, so this is not the school's full list: something not named here may still be offered. A line's page opens the report's sentence.

External examinations

  • Japanese Ministry of Education

Facilities

  • Library

Languages besides English

  • Arabic · Arabic is taught in KG for 20 minutes once a week.
  • Japanese · Children in KG learn Japanese by singing songs, dancing and reading story books.

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • Parents of students of determination appreciate the progress their children are making. They are involved in planning their children’s individual education programmes (IEPs). p. 18
  • The inclusion and admission teams work together to build an accurate understanding of students’ needs. p. 18
  • The identification of students with gifts and talents has yet to be fully developed. p. 17

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

Students

From KHDA’s 2023–24 inspection report, unless another year is named.

Largest nationality group
Japanese Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.
  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2024–25

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B

Snapshots by year

Students and staff by academic year, Japanese School

YearStudentsTeachersTeacher turnover
2024–25173Not availableNot available
2023–2417126Not available
2022–231322630%
2021–22138Not availableNot available
2020–2182Not availableNot available
2019–201241433%
2018–19158Not availableNot available
2017–1813522Not available
2016–17120130%
2015–161351925%
2014–15137232%
2013–14135Not availableNot available
2012–13135Not availableNot available
2011–12147Not availableNot available
2010–11159Not availableNot available

Not available: KHDA did not publish that figure for the year.

Location

Address
Al Wasl
Phone and email
+971 4 344 9119djs_koch@emirates.net.ae
As KHDA's directory listed it on 2026-09-18. Source A: KHDA school directory 2026–27

Around the school

Schools nearby

Within 10 km, by straight-line distance, not a route.

  1. JSS Private School

    0.2 km · Very good 2023–24 · Indian CBSE

  2. Horizons English School

    0.5 km · Outstanding 2023–24 · British

  3. Dubai British School Jumeira

    0.6 km · No rating yet · British

  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School

    1.8 km · Outstanding 2023–24 · British

  5. Al Ittihad Private School – Jumeirah

    1.9 km · Good 2023–24 · American

All 4 schools in Al Wasl

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 18 September 2026.

Sources

Every document behind this page. Official documents open on the KHDA site in a new tab.

Full Inspection Reports · PDF, English

Parent Reports · PDF, English

A shorter summary for parents. Findings and answers use the Full Inspection Report.

Fees Fact Sheets · web page, English

KHDA school directory · web page, English

KHDA school directory 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2024–25 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2022–23 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2021–22 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2020–21 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2019–20 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2018–19 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2017–18 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2016–17 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2015–16 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2014–15 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2013–14 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2012–13 (opens in a new tab)

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