An English immersion school is preparing to open its doors in the city of Ota, Gunma Prefecture, in the spring.
Gunma International Academy will be housed in a government-built school and operated by a private firm.
It plans to accept a combined 165 first- and fourth-graders in its first year and later expand to include all grades up to high school.
Translations of approved Japanese textbooks will be used for the English immersion classes. Japanese language and social studies will be taught in Japanese.