The Naganuma School

What The Naganuma School does

The Naganuma School is a private Japanese language educational institution headquartered in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, operating as an incorporated educational entity (学校法人) under Japanese law since 1948. It serves approximately 500 international students annually drawn from roughly 40 countries, with a faculty of around 100 teachers and 20 administrative staff delivering instruction through a team-teaching model with a maximum of 15 students per class. Its curriculum is anchored in the proprietary Naganuma Method — a question-and-answer-driven oral teaching methodology derived from Harold E. Palmer's Oral Method and developed by founder Naoe Naganuma since 1931 — supported by a registered seven-volume textbook series, 標準日本語読本 (Standard Japanese Reader), and an in-house academic journal, 日本語教育研究.

Revenue is generated primarily through upfront and recurring tuition across three on-campus product lines: the Japanese for Interactive Communication Course (single-term and long-term 1–2 year formats), the University Preparation Course (1, 1.5, and 2-year programs at ¥1,145,000–¥2,060,000 inclusive of all fees), and the Business Japanese Course, with supplementary income from Private Lessons, JLPT Preparation, and — since 2024 — the Naganuma Japanese Online Course (General Conversation, Business Japanese, and Study Abroad Prep sub-courses at ¥36,000–¥154,000 per course). Distribution is dual-channel: on-campus enrollment via the Tokyo Shibuya headquarters complemented by an international agent network across Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Vietnam, Russia, and Mongolia, plus direct self-serve online enrollment through online.naganuma-school.ac.jp with seven-language website support.

The school operates with three material regulatory designations (Tokyo Governor approval, MEXT university preparatory designation, Tokyo Immigration Bureau authorized application agency) and is the only Japanese language school to have received the Japan Foundation Award for International Exchange. It maintains an alumni network exceeding 30,000 graduates and a Career Center supporting both higher-education placement (Waseda University, Ritsumeikan University, Tokyo University of Science, Tsuji Culinary Institute) and employment outcomes (Tsuburaya Productions, Mercari, British Embassy). No external equity funding is disclosed; the institution is independently owned and operated.

Name

The Naganuma School

Legal name

学校法人長沼スクール 東京日本語学校

Website

https://www.naganuma-school.ac.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Naganuma School is a Tokyo-based private Japanese language institution founded in 1948, serving roughly 500 international students annually from about 40 countries through its proprietary Naganuma Method, on-campus programs, and a 2024-launched global online platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Japanese Language Education

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Language Schools (61163)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

General Language Schools & Institutes (EDAMAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

General Language Schools (Multi-Language) (EDAIAEAA)

Keywords

• Japanese language education
• Language school Tokyo
• University preparation course
• Business Japanese training
• Online Japanese courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Communication Japanese Course: Semester-based tuition for Japanese language courses; single term programs billed upfront; long-term courses (1 year+) billed every six months in advance.
2. Tuition Fees - University Preparation Course: 1-year program: ¥1,145,000; 1.5-year program: ¥1,602,500; 2-year program: ¥2,060,000, inclusive of enrollment fee, application fee, facilities fee, teaching materials, and tuition.
3. Tuition Fees - Business Japanese Course: Course fees for business Japanese training including employment preparation guidance.
4. Private Lessons: Customized one-on-one or small group (up to 3 persons) lessons for specific learning objectives such as kanji, business conversation, exam preparation, or university/graduate school preparation.
5. JLPT Preparation Program: Japanese Language Proficiency Test N1/N2 preparation course meeting twice weekly for 13 classes.
6. Online Course Tuition: General Conversation Course and Business Japanese Course fees: ¥39,600 (tax inclusive) / ¥36,000 (excluding tax) per course; Japanese Study Abroad Prep Course: ¥154,000 (tax inclusive) / ¥140,000 (excluding tax) per term.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Naganuma School delivers Japanese language education services through on-campus programs at its Tokyo campus and online courses accessible globally. Its offerings include the core Japanese for Interactive Communication Course (long-term and single-semester), Business Japanese Course, University Preparation Course (1-year, 1.5-year, 2-year), Private Lessons, JLPT Preparation Program, and the Naganuma Japanese Online Course platform with three sub-courses. Teaching is delivered via the proprietary Naganuma Method using original Standard Japanese Reader textbooks.

Product overview

The Naganuma School is a Japanese language education institution founded in 1948, offering a comprehensive portfolio of on-campus and online Japanese language programs. Its on-campus offerings include the Japanese for Interactive Communication Course (the core general-purpose program), the Business Japanese Course (focused on employment preparation), and the University Preparation Course (for academic progression). These are supplemented by Private Lessons, the JLPT Preparation Program, a Career Center, and a women's dormitory. Online, the school operates the Naganuma Japanese Online Course platform at online.naganuma-school.ac.jp, which hosts three sub-courses: the General Conversation Course (covering Elementary through Advanced levels), the Business Japanese Course (Basic and Practical levels), and the Japanese Study Abroad Prep Course (for pre-arrival learners). Financial support includes a proprietary Naganuma Scholarship and Principal/Pefect Attendance Awards, along with assistance for external scholarships such as JASSO. The school's flagship teaching methodology is the Naganuma Method, developed by founder Naoe Naganuma based on Harold E. Palmer's Oral Method, emphasizing frequent conversation and Japanese-only instruction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Japanese for Interactive Communication Course An on-campus Japanese language program focused on practical communication skills for daily and professional use, spanning from beginner to advanced levels (Elementary 2-level, Intermediate 2-level, Advanced 4-level). Offered as long-term courses (1 year, 1.5 years, 2 years) for student visa holders and single-semester programs (3 months) for non-student visa holders.
• Business Japanese Course

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates admitted to prestigious universities including Waseda University, Ritsumeikan University, Tokyo University of Science, and more
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered moderate, minor and supporting.

• JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization)moderateOthersJASSO provides scholarship support for eligible international students enrolled in long-term courses. The school facilitates application and recommendation for students meeting academic and financial criteria.
• Takayama International Education FoundationminorOthersProvides monthly scholarship of ¥130,000 to Asian nationality students. Previously granted to 0-2 students per year from Mongolia, China, Malaysia, Nepal, and Vietnam.
• Kyoritsu International Exchange Scholarship FoundationminorOthersProvides ¥60,000 monthly scholarship to international students. Previously granted to 1 student (Mongolian) in 2019.
• LSH Asia ScholarshipminorOthersProvides ¥20,000 monthly scholarship from August to December. Previously granted to students from Vietnam and Taiwan.
• FlywiresupportingTechnology or IntegrationInternational payment platform enabling safe tuition payments from abroad in home currencies. Students can pay via bank transfer, credit card, and various online payment methods.
• Sakura HousesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStudent accommodation agency offering guest houses and share houses for international students, including properties with special arrangements for Naganuma School students.
• Sumirin Residential Co. Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational residence hall operator providing housing options for international students, including overseas department services.
• Leopalace 21minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeneral rental accommodation agency offering properties suitable for foreign residents in Japan.
• Study Abroad Agents (Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Vietnam, Russia, Mongolia)moderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal agents in various countries assist with student recruitment, document preparation for visa applications, and provide consultation services for prospective international students.
• Tsuburaya ProductionsminorOthersEntertainment company that hired a Naganuma graduate from Hong Kong for international business operations.
• Mercari, Inc.minorOthersJapanese technology company that hired a Naganuma graduate from Northern Ireland for security management position.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• EF Education First: EF is a global language education incumbent offering multi-language immersion programs including Japanese courses, providing a much broader portfolio and geographic reach than Naganuma but competing in the same international language-learner segment.

Direct peers

• Genki Japanese Language School: GenkiJACS is a Tokyo-based Japanese language school offering both group and private Japanese courses for international students, directly competing with Naganuma for the same international student segment with similar communication-focused curricula.
• KIC Japanese Language School: KIC is a Tokyo Japanese language school serving international students with similar long-term and university preparation courses, comparable in scale and positioning to Naganuma.
• Akamonkai Japanese Language School: Akamonkai is a long-established Tokyo Japanese language school with university preparation courses, directly comparable to Naganuma in mission, course portfolio, and target international students.
• Tokyo Central Japanese Language School: Tokyo Central Japanese Language School offers university preparation and general Japanese courses in Tokyo, serving the same international student population seeking higher education entry as Naganuma.
• Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute: Shinjuku Nihongo Gakuin is a Tokyo Japanese language school offering long-term and short-term courses with university preparation tracks, positioning it as a direct competitor to Naganuma for international students.
• Coto Japanese Academy: Coto Academy runs Japanese language schools in Tokyo and Yokohama emphasizing practical conversation-based learning, mirroring Naganuma's communicative teaching philosophy and targeting similar international student audiences.
• ISI Japanese Language School: ISI operates multiple Japanese language campuses across Japan including Tokyo, offering long-term courses and university preparation programs that overlap directly with Naganuma's Communication Japanese and University Preparation offerings.
• ARC Academy Japanese Language School: ARC Academy is a Tokyo-based Japanese language school with university preparation and business Japanese programs, providing similar course depth and target audience as Naganuma.

Emerging players

• italki: italki is an online language learning marketplace connecting learners with Japanese tutors worldwide, representing a digital-native alternative to traditional Japanese schools like Naganuma for learners seeking flexibility and lower cost.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubenaganuma-school.ac.jp/jp/campus_life/naganuma_channel.html
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheNaganumaSchool
• Instagraminstagram.com/naganuma_school

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Naganuma School