ABSTRACT
Denominations which operate schools in Japan are Christians, Buddhists, and Shintoists. From the legal point of view all denominational schools are defined by the name ' private schools' as a component in the national school system according to the 1949 ' Private School Law', which was based upon the 1947 'School Education Law'. The 1946 Constitution guarantees, in Article 20, freedom of religion, and requires, in Article 89, that public money shall only be expended on educational enterprises which are under the control of public authorities. Private schools are quite numerous in Japan, forming a large proportion of the provision at all levels. From the more general standpoint the private schools in Japan rely very little upon donations and consequently are forced to obtain most of their revenue from fees. Denominational schools, as are other private schools, are increasing the number of their students in order to solve the problem of constantly rising costs.
