“The U.S. and Australia Each Had Their Merits—But Only Japan Felt Right.”

So says Mr. C, a Hong Kong-based entrepreneur who spent nearly a decade exploring educational migration across three countries for the sake of his son’s development.

Each country had its merits—but what led him to choose Tokyo was the “richness found in stillness.”

In this article, we follow this and analyze why Japan ultimately became his definitive choice.

■ Stage One: United States – “The Anxiety of Too Much Freedom”

The family’s journey began in Palo Alto, California—a prestigious academic hub known for its high university placement rates and excellence in STEM education.

• The emphasis on creative thinking and presentation skills was exceptional

• The environment was intensely competitive, and parental involvement felt borderline excessive

• The constant comparison among families and peers created an unspoken race for achievement

• Most notably, a lingering concern for day-to-day safety shadowed the experience
  

■ Stage Two: Australia – “Relaxed Living, Yet Something Felt Missing”

The family’s next stop was suburban Sydney—known for its access to nature, laid-back lifestyle, and child-friendly education systems.

• What worked well: a daily rhythm that promoted emotional ease and physical well-being

• What was lacking: a perceived absence of academic depth and cultural challenge

“It’s true—our child was growing up with a smile. But we began to sense that the ability to think deeply, to engage seriously, wasn’t fully taking root. What truly shifted things was when our child said, ‘I think I’m ready for more of a challenge.’”

■ Stage Three: Japan – Where Inner Strength Grows in Stillness

Japan became their third and final destination. What began as a family holiday turned into something deeper—a moment of clarity. “When we visited as tourists, we thought: maybe this is a place where we could truly live as a family.”

They enrolled their son in an international school in Hiroo, Tokyo. Within the first month, the difference was unmistakable: a sense of calm and intentionality.

• Classrooms were quiet—students waited their turn without instruction

• Teachers focused on the process—not just outcomes

• Everyday routines included moments to reflect, observe, and fee

“My wife mentioned, ‘Our son’s started reading on his own more often.’ It’s a quiet form of education—but it runs deep.”

■ Why Japan Became the Final Destination

Mr. C describes Japan as the “final destination” in his educational journey:

• “There is an atmosphere in Japan where society as a whole helps raise your child.”

• “There’s a quiet discipline that strengthens a child’s core without harshness.”

• “As parents, we feel safe here—at ease, without constantly being on edge.”

Having experienced the freedom of the U.S., the ease of Australia, and finally the balance and quiet strength of Japan, Mr. C came to a powerful realization: when the kind of person you hope your child becomes aligns with the values of the city they live in—that’s when education reaches its fullest potential.

■ Now, He Speaks of Japan as an Educational Nation

“In Japan, there is no excessive self-assertion. No need to showcase achievement. And yet, growth is quietly taking place—measured, intentional, and self-directed. My son has finally found his own rhythm.”

For Mr. C, Japan represents not just a place of learning for his child, but a place of reflection and growth as a parent.

“I used to focus on what I could give my child. But living in Japan, I realized what truly matters is what I choose to step back and allow him to discover on his own.”

■ Summary: Not Just Relocation—But Resolution

After exploring educational systems across three countries, what ultimately stood out to Mr. C was not numbers or frameworks, but the atmosphere.

In Japan, every element—the home, the school, the city, and its people—contributes to a child’s growth. Tokyo emerged as a place where learning and living are seamlessly intertwined.