Leave of absence
In Japanese: 休学 (kyugaku)
Definition
A leave of absence is a period when a student keeps their enrollment but stops attending, for example because of illness or money.
In more detail
A student on leave takes no classes. Whether the leave counts toward years enrolled, and how fees are handled during it, is set by each school’s rules.
The Regulations for Enforcement of the School Education Act require school rules to state matters on admission, withdrawal, transfer, leave and graduation.
At universities and vocational schools the student usually applies and the school approves. High schools record the leave in the enrollment section of the cumulative record.
In Classio
In Classio, leave, return, withdrawal, dismissal and other enrollment changes are requested on the student’s 学籍変更 tab; once approved, the enrollment status changes on the effective date.
See also
Related terms
- Withdrawal and dismissal
Withdrawal (taigaku) is when a student leaves the school and its register; dismissal (joseki) is when the school removes a student from the register under its rules.
- Student record management
Student record management accurately records and maintains student information — names, enrollment status, admission and graduation.
Help articles that mention “Leave of absence”
- Change the school rules (billing, enrolment, student service)How to change rules such as the monthly fee due day, promotion thresholds, the absence limit, sharing of homeroom messages and the twice-yearly record checks in School rules, with a start date.
- Request and approve leave, withdrawal, transfer, graduation and other status changesHow status changes (学籍異動) are requested and approved, when they take effect, and which ones each student can have.
Sources
- Regulations for Enforcement of the School Education Act (e-Gov) — Article 4: items school rules must state (school year and terms; admission, withdrawal, transfer, leave and graduation)
- MEXT: Matters recorded in high-school cumulative records (Attachment 3) — Enrollment record, overall grades, attendance record (days of suspension, bereavement and similar)
Sources checked: October 24, 2026