Aoba-Japan International School Celebrates 50th Anniversary on May 18

Aoba-Japan International School (A-JIS), managed by a group company of Aoba-BBT Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Iwao Shibata), celebrates its 50th anniversary today, May 18, 2026.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our alumni, current students, parents, faculty, staff, the local community, the administration, and all stakeholders who have supported the school over the past half-century.

## 50 Years of History

A-JIS opened on May 18, 1976, in Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, as a small English school for young children. Since then, it has grown as a non-denominational, co-educational K-12 school, welcoming students from diverse national and cultural backgrounds and providing an international educational environment.

### Key Milestones

- **1976**: Opened as Aoba International School in Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo.
- **1998**: Merged with Japan International School to become Aoba-Japan International School (A-JIS).
- **2012**: Opened the Hikarigaoka Campus (Nerima-ku, Tokyo).
- **2013**: Strengthened business foundation through Aoba-BBT Group management participation.
- **2015**: Obtained International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP and DP accreditation.
- **2016**: Obtained MYP accreditation, becoming a full K-12 IB World School.
- **2022**: Opened the Bunkyo Campus (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) and relocated the Senior School.
- **2024**: Launched "Aoba Global Campus," Asia's first pilot site providing the Diploma Program fully online.
- **2026**: Celebrated 50th anniversary. Preparations underway for the Kanazawa Campus (Kanazawa, Ishikawa) to open in August 2027.

## Quality Improvement and International Accreditation

Since Aoba-BBT's management participation in 2013, we have positioned the improvement of educational quality as our highest priority, promoting the accreditation of the three International Baccalaureate (IB) programs (PYP, MYP, and DP).

Currently, A-JIS provides world-standard education as an IB continuum school from kindergarten to high school and as an internationally accredited school by CIS (Council of International Schools) and NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges).

Additionally, our group school, Musashi International School Tokyo, has obtained accreditation from Cambridge Assessment International Education for all levels from early years to high school.

## Equalizing Educational Opportunity via Online: Aoba Global Campus

In addition to campus-based education, we are focusing on equalizing educational opportunities through online learning.

Launched in 2024, "Aoba Global Campus" is the first pilot site in Asia officially authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to offer a program where students can obtain the IB Diploma (DP) 100% online. High school students not only from within Japan but also from various Asian countries are studying the world-standard IB Diploma curriculum, transcending geographical constraints.

## Looking Ahead

The 50-year journey of A-JIS is a result of the support from the local community, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and the administration. We would like to express our deepest gratitude once again.

With the Kanazawa Campus scheduled to open in 2027, the Aoba-Japan International School group will continue to provide global standard education both domestically and internationally, further enriching our educational offerings. We sincerely ask for your continued support and guidance.

## About Aoba-Japan International School (A-JIS)

A-JIS is a historic international school operated by Aoba International Educational Systems Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Aoba-BBT Co., Ltd. Founded in Aobadai, Meguro-ku in 1976, it is a co-educational, non-denominational international school serving students from kindergarten to Grade 12. All classes except for Japanese language lessons are conducted in English. The school offers a robust English support program to help students participate actively in the IB curriculum. It provides North American and international standard curricula across all levels, and graduates are eligible to apply to universities worldwide.

Furthermore, Aoba is accredited by CIS...