Relocating into Japan... Family issues

[Matsun]

Hello:
I'm Mark, 18 years old and from Germany. I am - well actually I was a student visiting 12th grade here till everything broke apart with my family here 2 months ago. I don't want to go into details, all I can say is that my Grandpa passed away resulting in greedy heirs (including my father) fighting for the left-over heritage. Quarrels between my parents finally resulted "surprisingly"(wasn't going well anyway since last year...) in divorce. Well I don't want to bother you with this, to cut a long story short, the reason I came here is the following:
My mother suggested that I visit and live at my relatives in Japan for a while to cut off some stress.
Result: They approved and my uncle ( german btw as his wife ) suggested visiting a Japanese Public High School while I am there.

First of I want to thank you all in advance, please answer my questions:
My questions to you Experts: I know more or less that you only are able to get a visa for max. 1 year, to stay in Japan, is this right? Will I actually be able to go to High School there? If it is possible to stay more than a year, can I graduate if I manage to get through High School? And my last question, are Public High Schools in Japan tuition free?

Thanks in advance,
Mark.

[Sangetsu]

There is no tuition required to attend a Japanese public school, but you'll need to enroll under some type of foreign visitor program as regular students must pass an entrance exam to attend high school.

As a dependent of a Japanese resident, or as a student, you should be able to get a one year visa, you can inquire at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA for short) for exact details. It would be best to spend a little time here before making any plans for a longer stay.

[Matsun]

Originally Posted by Sangetsu

There is no tuition required to attend a Japanese public school, but you'll need to enroll under some type of foreign visitor program as regular students must pass an entrance exam to attend high school.

As a dependent of a Japanese resident, or as a student, you should be able to get a one year visa, you can inquire at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA for short) for exact details. It would be best to spend a little time here before making any plans for a longer stay.

Hello Sangetsu,
thanks for your help.

But I didn't quite get "foreign visitor program". Is it arranged from schools, so basically not every school has foreign visitor programs? I'm a bit confused, sorry. Ah, and 1 year was the limit right? Can't prolong it?

Thank you,
Mark.

[spicytuna]

Originally Posted by Matsun

My mother suggested that I visit and live at my relatives in Japan for a while to cut off some stress.

Were either of your parents born in Japan?

I'm just wondering if you'd be eligible for the "Child of a Japanese national" visa. That'd simplify a lot of things as far as a visa is required.

[Matsun]

Originally Posted by spicytuna

Were either of your parents born in Japan?

I'm just wondering if you'd be eligible for the "Child of a Japanese national" visa. That'd simplify a lot of things as far as a visa is required.

Hello spicytuna,

No, they were born in Germany =), it's just that my uncle went there because of his job, so it isn't possible for me to study more than a year, right?

Edit: Nevermind I found my answer here, "Residence permission is granted in periods of six months, one year or two years and is extendable. "

Thank you,
Mark

[siokan]

The class of the public high school school is only Japanese.
(Exclude a special case)

If it is an urban area, it is an international school.
Or, it is a private school that teaches it excluding Japanese though the number is very little.

In the assistance of tuition, the public high school school is a full amount.
The subsidy of the tuition of a private high school is different in the region and the household revenue where it lives.

The visa of entering school was revised last year.
There seems to be a kind to which the period is extended, too.

The condition is not understood though the extension of the visa is also possible.
Issue terms of the visa are not understood. ;_;

[MMM]

If you are 18 now and the school year ends in March, then you will be too old to attend traditional Japanese high school.

[Matsun]

Originally Posted by MMM

If you are 18 now and the school year ends in March, then you will be too old to attend traditional Japanese high school.

Shoot :X, they have such a limit there, are you sure about this =) ? Hm, well how does working with a work&travel visa sounds while staying at my uncle ? Would be doable too .

Originally Posted by siokan

The class of the public high school school is only Japanese.
(Exclude a special case)

If it is an urban area, it is an international school.
Or, it is a private school that teaches it excluding Japanese though the number is very little.

In the assistance of tuition, the public high school school is a full amount.
The subsidy of the tuition of a private high school is different in the region and the household revenue where it lives.

The visa of entering school was revised last year.
There seems to be a kind to which the period is extended, too.

The condition is not understood though the extension of the visa is also possible.
Issue terms of the visa are not understood. ;_;

Hm, what are the chances for a "special-case" like me ?
I mean, it is somewhat true that I am maybe a little bit too old as a freshman, right? Or are there actually people who start over again even if they are 18 already? Learning Japanese won't be such a big problem, I may sound bold but I am miraculously good in languages, don't know why :X, besides my uncle's wife could teach me too. I am sorry but could you explain the assistance you mentioned? I don't quite get the meaning, I'm sorry.

Thanks for your help,
very friendly forum I appreciate it.
Mark

[MMM]

There is no skipping grades or getting held back in Japan. If you have to quit school for some reason your only choice is to enter night school. I worked one day a week at a night school, and cannot recommend it.

[spicytuna]

As far as I understand, each high school has an entrance exam which is done in Japanese. If you can go there and reach a grade 10 Japanese equivalent within a year, I'll personally pay for your tuition fees.

But more importantly, what kind of visa will you be using?

Your best bet would be to get a working holiday visa. You won't be able to extend it but you'll be able to live and work in Japan for a year.