Rugby School Japan Reaches 300-Pupil Milestone in its Third Year – A New Chapter of Growth and Excellence

Rugby School Group and Clarence Education Asia (CEA) are delighted to announce that Rugby School Japan (RSJ) has reached a major milestone, enrolling 300 pupils in its third academic year. Looking ahead, RSJ aims to grow to 500 pupils by 2027 and reach its full capacity of 780 pupils within five years, marking the next stage in the school’s steady development and enduring commitment to excellence.

Founded in 2023 as the second international school in Rugby School’s 450-year history, RSJ represents a pioneering partnership between the Rugby School Group and Clarence Education Asia, bringing the heritage and ethos of British education to Japan. As the first British boarding school in Greater Tokyo – the world’s largest metropolitan area with a population of over 38 million – RSJ is setting new benchmarks for academic and pastoral excellence in East Asia.

Clarence Education Asia (CEA) offers a continuous educational pathway for children aged 18 months to 18 yearsthrough its group of international schools in Tokyo – Clarence International School (18 months–5 years), Phoenix House International School (6–11 years), and Rugby School Japan. This smooth progression, known as the CEA Pathway, ensures that pupils can focus on learning that is developmentally appropriate while being well-prepared for each successive stage of their education.

Since opening its doors, RSJ has quickly grown into a vibrant learning community of girls and boys aged 11–18. Within a short span, its first leavers have already secured places at some of the world’s leading universities – including University College London, King’s College London, McGill University, the University of Edinburgh, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Peking University, and Waseda University – marking an extraordinary beginning for this new member of the Rugby School family.

The school’s achievements have also been recognised through several distinctions, including the award of Beacon Status by COBIS (Council of British International Schools), reflecting RSJ’s commitment to the highest standards of international education and student care.

RSJ now employs 97 exceptional teachers and staff from the UK, the international school sector, and Japan, bringing a wealth of global expertise to its boarding and day school community. The school offers a wide spectrum of subjects leading to IGCSE and A-Level qualifications, supported by a unique enrichment programme that allows pupils to explore beyond the curriculum through arts, sport, service, and research. As part of Rugby’s “whole person” philosophy, pupils are encouraged to develop their character and broaden their interests through engagement in a diverse programme of over 100 activities – ranging from coding to Classics, CAD Lab to set design, Shakespeare to Chamber Choir, and community service to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

Its six Houses – School House, Rupert Brooke House, Tudor House, Sheriff House, Southfield House, and Town House – which are associated with the traditional Houses of Rugby School UK, are at the heart of the school’s pastoral life, embodying Rugby’s enduring spirit of independence, collaboration, and community.

With 300 pupils from over 30 nationalities, including 55% boarders, a distinct and inclusive “RSJ culture” is emerging — blending British tradition with Japanese innovation and international outlook.

RSJ is ideally located in Kashiwanoha Campus City, a green, academic district only 30 minutes by train from central Tokyo. This strategic setting offers pupils and families the flexibility to choose from Day, Weekly Boarding (Mon–Sat), and Termly Boarding options, achieving a healthy balance between school life and family life. Weekly boarding is particularly popular – pupils typically spend five nights at their boarding house with friends and two nights at home with family.

As part of the Rugby School Group’s strategic global expansion, RSJ joins sister schools in Southeast Asia (Thailand)and Africa (Nigeria), with a forthcoming project in the Middle East, creating a connected network of Rugby schools across continents.
Being part of the Kashiwanoha Campus City ecosystem also enables RSJ to collaborate with Chiba University, The University of Tokyo, and Mitsui Fudosan, the master planner of this pioneering smart-city development. Together, they are shaping a model for education that integrates academic excellence, sustainability, and innovation – a model for the future of learning in Japan and beyond. For example, RSJ and The University of Tokyo have co-developed a special programme that allows RSJ scholars to study in the laboratories of nearby university research institutes.

On strategic development, RSJ plans to open its Enrichment Campus in Kyowa (Niseko Mountains), Hokkaido, extending its educational vision into nature, adventure, and character development – a natural evolution of the Rugby spirit and its philosophy of educating the whole person.

Leadership Comments

Neil Hampton, Chief Executive Officer, the Rugby School Group (UK):

“This is a moment of great pride for the Rugby School Group. Rugby School Japan has already demonstrated the power of our shared ethos – combining academic ambition with character, service, and community. To see the Rugby values take root in Japan so quickly is a testament to the strength of our partnership with Clarence Education Asia and the extraordinary dedication of the RSJ team.”

Fei-Fei Hu, President, Rugby School Japan; Founder and Chief Executive, Clarence Education Asia (Japan):

“Rugby School Japan was born from a shared belief that education must be both deeply human and globally minded. Reaching 300 pupils in such a short time shows how much families in Japan and beyond are seeking this balance – of tradition and innovation, discipline and joy, individuality and belonging. Together with Rugby School Group, we will continue to build bridges between cultures, generations, and worlds of learning.”

Kan Suzuki, Councillor, Rugby School Japan; Former State Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT):

“I am delighted to see how Rugby School is making a difference and diversifying international education in Japan. Its pedagogy and curriculum are truly unique, and there is much that the British public school tradition and the Japanese education system can learn from one another.”

For media enquires please contact:

Rugby School Group (UK) — marketing@rugbyschool.net
Clarence Education Asia (Japan) — communications@clarenceeducation.asia
Rugby School Japan (RSJ) — media@rugbyschooljapan.ed.jp