Key Facts
• 31 prefectures use public funds for digital device procurement in public high schools.
• Only 8 prefectures plan to continue public funding for the next update.
• 20 prefectures (43%) rely solely on public funds, while 11 (23%) combine public and household funding.
• Only 5 prefectures (16%) will maintain public-only funding for future updates.
• Learning devices are excluded from Japan’s high school tuition-free policy.
• BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is adopted in 20 prefectures, while BYAD (Bring Your Assigned Device) is used in 7.
• MDM (Mobile Device Management) adoption rates: 95% for public-only funding, 75% for mixed funding, and 13% for household-only funding.
• Increased household burden raises concerns about IT governance and secure device management.
• OECD’s PISA and university entrance CBT exams may face operational challenges due to inconsistent device management.
• Survey conducted via phone with 47 prefectural education boards from June 5–17, 2025.
Summary
A recent survey by MM Research Institute highlights challenges in public high school digital device procurement in Japan. Of 31 prefectures using public funds, only 8 plan to continue this approach for future updates, with just 5 maintaining public-only funding. The exclusion of learning devices from the tuition-free policy has led to increased household burdens, with 11 prefectures combining public and private funding. BYOD and BYAD systems are used, but BYOD’s flexibility poses IT governance and security issues. MDM adoption varies significantly, with public-only funding achieving 95% implementation compared to 13% for household-only funding. These disparities may impact the smooth operation of ICT-based education and standardized tests like PISA and CBT. The survey underscores the need for balanced funding and robust IT management to ensure equitable and effective digital learning environments.
