When a posting overseas takes a family with children along, what happens to their schooling? The reliable answer for Japanese families in many countries is the Japanese school.
The Japanese School in Costa Rica
Japanese schools abroad are precious places — somewhere children can learn Japanese history and culture while living overseas. Costa Rica's Japanese school enrolls students from elementary through middle school. Once they reach high school, students typically move to a local school or return to Japan.
For students still adjusting to Spanish, the school is also an emotional anchor. The stress of growing up in a country with a different language and culture must be substantial, but at the sports day held in late January 2014, every child was throwing themselves fully at every event.
The Color Run in San José
In mid-February 2014, the capital San José hosted THE COLOR RUN. Billed as "the happiest 5k on the planet," it's a colorful run held in many countries around the world. There have been editions in Japan as well.
Runners cover 5 km, getting showered or pelted with colored powder at stations along the route. White T-shirts at the start become vivid by the finish line.
Many Costa Ricans came in seriously elaborate outfits. Different country, same instinct — looking the part is half the fun, apparently, the world over.
Smiles came naturally to the runners. It was a great chance to give people who don't usually run a reason to start.
If you've never done one, try one wherever you happen to be.
Background information
※ This section combines public information with the author's notes; please confirm the latest details on the official sites.
Japanese School in San José
- Status: A Japanese overseas school in San José, recognized by Japan's MEXT as an official overseas educational institution (Escuela Japonesa de San José).
- Size: Enrollment fluctuates between roughly a dozen and a few dozen students; combined-grade classrooms are common given the small scale.
- Curriculum: Follows Japan's national curriculum guidelines, with added local Spanish and culture lessons.
- Operations: Run jointly by Japanese resident parents and dispatched teachers (MEXT, JICA and others).
The Color Run
- Concept: A 5 km charity fun run launched in Utah, USA in 2012 and held in dozens of countries.
- Format: Runners are doused with colored powder (cornstarch-based) every kilometer — participation matters more than competition.
- Powder: Food-coloring based, generally safe on skin and clothes — but a white T-shirt is the standard uniform.
- In Costa Rica: Held multiple times in San José with thousands of participants per edition.
Japanese citizens overseas and Japanese schools abroad
- There are roughly 90 full Japanese schools worldwide (2020s) — about 230 if you include weekend supplementary schools.
- Costa Rica hosts a comparatively large Japanese community for Central America, with options spanning the Japanese school, supplementary schools, and local schools.
- Main user families: JICA volunteers, embassy staff, and employees of Japanese companies (auto, parts, agriculture).