Parents fear 'lost generation' as Tokyo schools struggle with teacher shortages

For three months, Yuki Tanaka's daughter has attended after-school care in Shibuya Ward instead of art class—one of six elective programmes cancelled at her public middle school this spring. "We pay taxes for public education," said Tanaka, who works near Omotesandō. "But now our children are getting less than their parents did."

Her frustration echoes across Tokyo's 23 wards, where a cascading teacher shortage has forced schools to make unprecedented cuts. According to Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education data released in May, 847 teaching positions remain unfilled district-wide—a 34% increase from 2024. In Minato Ward alone, average class sizes have swelled to 38 students, well above the government's stated ideal of 30.

The crisis has triggered alarm among parents and education advocates. At a community forum in Chiyoda Ward last week, representatives from seven neighbourhood associations voiced concern that the situation disproportionately affects working-class families who cannot afford private tutoring to supplement shortened school days.

"My son's high school in Kita Ward merged two year groups into one classroom," said a parent from the Asakusa district who requested anonymity due to workplace concerns. "The teachers are drowning. How can anyone learn effectively?"

Wages remain a critical factor. Tokyo public school teachers earn an average of ¥4.2 million annually—roughly 18% below their counterparts in Osaka and Kyoto. The profession has become increasingly undesirable; applications to Tokyo's teacher training programmes fell 22% year-over-year, according to university admissions data.

The Tokyo Teachers' Union, which represents 47,000 educators, has called for immediate salary increases and workload relief. Union officials point to after-hours responsibilities—clubs, administrative duties, parental meetings—that often extend the working day to 11 hours or more.

Education researchers and university faculty have also weighed in. Dr. Hiroshi Matsumoto, education policy specialist at Waseda University, warned that deferred investment in teacher recruitment could have long-term consequences. "We're seeing families in outer wards like Edogawa considering private schools they previously would never have entertained," he noted.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government allocated an additional ¥8.4 billion for education in this fiscal year's budget, but administrators say the amount falls short of urgent needs. School principals in districts from Shinjuku to Sumida report difficulty attracting qualified candidates, even with modest incentive bonuses.

As summer break approaches, parent associations across the city are mobilising, demanding action at the prefectural level before the autumn term begins.

This article was compiled by AI from the sources linked above and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.