# 学校教育法 / School Education Act — 第四条 (Article 4)

- Law: 学校教育法 (School Education Act), 昭和二十二年法律第二十六号
- English title "School Education Act": Ministry of Justice translation
- Kind: Act — the distinction between 法律 (Act), 政令 (Cabinet Order), 省令 (Ministerial Order) and 条例 (local ordinance) decides who may issue it and what it may say.
- Provision: 第四条 (Article 4) — address `art-4`
- Text in force since: 2026-06-17
- URL (the page that opens at this provision): https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4
- Permanent URL (e-Gov law ID, never renamed): https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4
- Every provision below carries its address and both URLs on the line under it.
- Japanese text: e-Gov 法令検索, Digital Agency (デジタル庁). English: as marked on each line below.

Only the Japanese as published by the government has legal effect; the text
below is a copy of it. Every English rendering below is a translation and
says which kind: the Ministry of Justice's translation, or this
site's machine translation, whose model and date the Sources list names.
They are never merged and never substituted for one another.

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### 第四条
<sup>art-4 · https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4</sup>

**第一項**  次の各号に掲げる学校の設置廃止、設置者の変更その他政令で定める事項（次条において「設置廃止等」という。）は、それぞれ当該各号に定める者の認可を受けなければならない。これらの学校のうち、高等学校（中等教育学校の後期課程を含む。）の通常の課程（以下「全日制の課程」という。）、夜間その他特別の時間又は時期において授業を行う課程（以下「定時制の課程」という。）及び通信による教育を行う課程（以下「通信制の課程」という。）、大学の学部、大学院及び大学院の研究科並びに第百八条第二項の大学の学科についても、同様とする。
<sup>art-4/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-1</sup>
The establishment and abolition of schools, changes of founder, or other matters prescribed by Cabinet Order (referred to as "establishment and abolition, etc." in the following Article) stated in the following items, must be approved respectively by a person specified in those items. Among these schools, the same will apply to the ordinary courses (referred to below as "full-time courses") for high schools (including upper courses of secondary education schools), courses provided at night, or at other special times or periods (referred to below as "part-time courses"), and courses providing education through correspondence (referred to below as "correspondence courses"), university faculties, graduate schools and academic units of graduate school , and university departments in Article 108, paragraph (2).
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation with a slip corrected by this site — not the Ministry's text; the Ministry printed: "The establishment and abolition of schools, changes in management, or other matters prescribed by Cabinet Order (referred to as "establishment and abolition, etc." in the following Article) stated in the following items, must be approved respectively by a person specified in those items. Among these schools, the same will apply to the ordinary courses (referred to below as "full-time courses") for high schools (including upper courses of secondary education schools), courses provided at night, or at other special times or periods (referred to below as "part-time courses"), and courses providing education through correspondence (referred to below as "correspondence courses"), university faculties, graduate schools and academic units of graduate school , and university departments in Article 108, paragraph (2)." — https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4743/tb</sup>

  **一**  公立又は私立の大学及び高等専門学校　文部科学大臣
  <sup>art-4/par-1/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-1/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-1/item-1</sup>
  public or private university and college of technology:Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology;
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

  **二**  市町村（市町村が単独で又は他の市町村と共同して設立する公立大学法人を含む。次条、第十三条第二項、第十四条、第百三十条第一項及び第百三十一条において同じ。）の設置する高等学校、中等教育学校及び特別支援学校　都道府県の教育委員会
  <sup>art-4/par-1/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-1/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-1/item-2</sup>
  high schools, secondary education schools, and special needs education schools established by a municipality (this includes public university corporations established independently by a municipality or in cooperation with other municipalities; the same applies in the following Article, Article 13, paragraph (2), Article 14, Article 130, paragraph (1), and Article 131):Prefectural Board of Education;
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

  **三**  私立の幼稚園、小学校、中学校、義務教育学校、高等学校、中等教育学校及び特別支援学校　都道府県知事
  <sup>art-4/par-1/item-3 · https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-1/item-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-1/item-3</sup>
  private kindergarten, elementary school, junior high school, compulsory education school, high school, secondary education school, and special needs education school:prefectural governor.
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

**第二項**  前項の規定にかかわらず、同項第一号に掲げる学校を設置する者は、次に掲げる事項を行うときは、同項の認可を受けることを要しない。この場合において、当該学校を設置する者は、文部科学大臣の定めるところにより、あらかじめ、文部科学大臣に届け出なければならない。
<sup>art-4/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-2</sup>
Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, a person establishing a school stated in item (i) of that paragraph is not required to obtain approval in that paragraph when conducting the following matters. In such a case, a person establishing the relevant school must notify the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of this in advance, as provided by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology:
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

  **一**  大学の学部若しくは大学院の研究科又は第百八条第二項の大学の学科の設置であつて、当該大学が授与する学位の種類及び分野の変更を伴わないもの
  <sup>art-4/par-2/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-2/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-2/item-1</sup>
  establishing a university faculty or an academic unit of graduate school or a university department under Article 108, paragraph (2), that does not involve a change of type or field of the degree granted by the relevant university;
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

  **二**  大学の学部若しくは大学院の研究科又は第百八条第二項の大学の学科の廃止
  <sup>art-4/par-2/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-2/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-2/item-2</sup>
  abolishing a university faculty or academic unit of graduate school or a university department in Article 108, paragraph (2);
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

  **三**  前二号に掲げるもののほか、政令で定める事項
  <sup>art-4/par-2/item-3 · https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-2/item-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-2/item-3</sup>
  matters prescribed by Cabinet Order, beyond what is stated in the preceding two items.
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

**第三項**  文部科学大臣は、前項の届出があつた場合において、その届出に係る事項が、設備、授業その他の事項に関する法令の規定に適合しないと認めるときは、その届出をした者に対し、必要な措置をとるべきことを命ずることができる。
<sup>art-4/par-3 · https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-3</sup>
For cases in which there is a notification as referred to in the preceding paragraph; when the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology finds matters stated in that notification which are not compliant with laws and regulations relating to matters including equipment, class, or others, the Minister may order the person giving the notification to take necessary measures.
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

**第四項**  地方自治法（昭和二十二年法律第六十七号）第二百五十二条の十九第一項の指定都市（以下「指定都市」という。）（指定都市が単独で又は他の市町村と共同して設立する公立大学法人を含む。）の設置する高等学校、中等教育学校及び特別支援学校については、第一項の規定は、適用しない。この場合において、当該高等学校、中等教育学校及び特別支援学校を設置する者は、同項の規定により認可を受けなければならないとされている事項を行おうとするときは、あらかじめ、都道府県の教育委員会に届け出なければならない。
<sup>art-4/par-4 · https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-4 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-4</sup>
The provisions provided for in paragraph (1) does not apply to high schools, secondary education schools, and special needs education schools established by designated cities provided for in Article 252-19, paragraph (1) of Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947) (referred to below as "designated cities") (this includes public university corporations established independently by designated cities or in cooperation with other municipalities). In such cases, a person establishing the relevant high school, secondary education school, or special needs education school, must notify the prefectural board of education in advance when attempting to conduct matters for which it is deemed one must obtain approval, pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph.
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

**第五項**  第二項第一号の学位の種類及び分野の変更に関する基準は、文部科学大臣が、これを定める。
<sup>art-4/par-5 · https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-5 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-5</sup>
The standard for types of degrees and changes in field under paragraph (2), item (i), is to be specified by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

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## Cites
- art-4/par-1: 次条 → 学校教育法 第四条の二 (Article 4-2), art-4-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4-2
- art-4/par-1: 第百八条第二項 → 学校教育法 第百八条第二項 (Article 108, paragraph (2)), art-108/par-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-108/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-108/par-2
- art-4/par-1/item-2: 次条 → 学校教育法 第四条の二 (Article 4-2), art-4-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4-2
- art-4/par-1/item-2: 第十三条第二項 → 学校教育法 第十三条第二項 (Article 13, paragraph (2)), art-13/par-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-13/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-13/par-2
- art-4/par-1/item-2: 第十四条 → 学校教育法 第十四条 (Article 14), art-14 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-14 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-14
- art-4/par-1/item-2: 第百三十条第一項 → 学校教育法 第百三十条第一項 (Article 130, paragraph (1)), art-130/par-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-130/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-130/par-1
- art-4/par-1/item-2: 第百三十一条 → 学校教育法 第百三十一条 (Article 131), art-131 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-131 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-131
- art-4/par-2: 前項 → 学校教育法 第四条第一項 (Article 4, paragraph (1)), art-4/par-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-1
- art-4/par-2: 同項第一号 → 学校教育法 第四条第一項第一号 (Article 4, paragraph (1), item (i)), art-4/par-1/item-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-1/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-1/item-1
- art-4/par-2/item-1: 第百八条第二項 → 学校教育法 第百八条第二項 (Article 108, paragraph (2)), art-108/par-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-108/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-108/par-2
- art-4/par-2/item-2: 第百八条第二項 → 学校教育法 第百八条第二項 (Article 108, paragraph (2)), art-108/par-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-108/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-108/par-2
- art-4/par-2/item-3: 前二号 → 学校教育法 第四条第二項第一号 (Article 4, paragraph (2), item (i)), art-4/par-2/item-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-2/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-2/item-1
- art-4/par-2/item-3: 前二号 → 学校教育法 第四条第二項第二号 (Article 4, paragraph (2), item (ii)), art-4/par-2/item-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-2/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-2/item-2
- art-4/par-3: 前項 → 学校教育法 第四条第二項 (Article 4, paragraph (2)), art-4/par-2 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-2
- art-4/par-4: 地方自治法（昭和二十二年法律第六十七号）第二百五十二条の十九第一項 → e-Gov law 322AC0000000067, 第二百五十二条の十九第一項 (Article 252-19, paragraph (1)), art-252-19/par-1 — not held in this collection
- art-4/par-4: 第一項 → 学校教育法 第四条第一項 (Article 4, paragraph (1)), art-4/par-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-1
- art-4/par-5: 第二項第一号 → 学校教育法 第四条第二項第一号 (Article 4, paragraph (2), item (i)), art-4/par-2/item-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-2/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-2/item-1

## Cited by

13 provisions cite this one. No official source publishes this direction.

- 学校教育法 第四条第二項 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-2
- 学校教育法 第四条第二項第三号 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-2/item-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-2/item-3
- 学校教育法 第四条第三項 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-3
- 学校教育法 第四条第四項 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-4 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-4
- 学校教育法 第四条第五項 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-4/par-5 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-4/par-5
- 学校教育法 第十三条第一項 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-13/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-13/par-1
- 学校教育法 第五十四条第三項 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-54/par-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-54/par-3
- 学校教育法 第九十四条第一項 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-94/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-94/par-1
- 学校教育法 第九十五条第一項 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-95/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-95/par-1
- 学校教育法 第百三十三条第一項 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-133/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-133/par-1
- 学校教育法 第百三十四条第二項 — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/art-134/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/art-134/par-2
- 学校教育法 附則第二条第一項（学校教育法の一部改正に伴う経過措置） — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/suppl-4261-51/art-2/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/suppl-4261-51/art-2/par-1
- 学校教育法 附則第二条第一項（学校教育法の一部改正に伴う経過措置） — https://japanlaw.org/en/school-education-act/suppl-4271-50/art-2/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/322AC0000000026/suppl-4271-50/art-2/par-1

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## Sources

- claude-opus-5-5 — Corrections to the Ministry of Justice's English of paragraphs, written 2026-10-19
- e-Gov 法令検索, Digital Agency (デジタル庁) — 学校教育法 — the text in force from 2026-06-17 (https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/322AC0000000026/20260617_508AC0000000037), retrieved 2026-10-19
- Japanese Law Translation Database System, Ministry of Justice (法務省) — School Education Act — Ministry of Justice translation (https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4743/tb), retrieved 2026-10-19
- Japanese Law Translation Database System, Ministry of Justice (法務省) — School Education Act (学校教育法), Article 4, paragraph (1) — the Ministry of Justice's English as printed (https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4743/tb), retrieved 2026-10-19
- This site's parser, version 210 — 学校教育法 — structure, counts, cross-references and defined terms, computed 2026-10-19