Over the past two decades, Japan’s boys-only schools have decreased from 203 (2001) to just 98 (2021)—a 51.7% drop, faster than the decline of girls’ schools. While elite schools like Nada, Kaisei, or Seiko remain strong, mid-level schools have struggled to survive and often transitioned to coeducation.

The appeal of boys’ schools lies in their ability to tailor education to boys’ slower developmental pace and offer environments that encourage focus and curiosity. Studies such as Dustmann (2018) and Jackson (2021) suggest that single-sex education can improve academic outcomes and reduce social problems like delinquency or teen pregnancy.

However, disadvantages exist: limited opportunities for communication with the opposite sex, and—according to Mogi (2011)—the potential for elite boys’ schools to perpetuate social inequality. The structural cycle is clear:
Elite boys’ schools → lack of female collaboration → limited respect for women leaders → access to top universities → entry into power structures → normalization of male-dominated decision-making → reproduction of inequality.

Ultimately, boys’ schools are both an educational niche and a mirror reflecting Japan’s broader social challenges. Balancing tradition, educational philosophy, and social inclusion will define their future.