Osaka Prefecture’s public high schools saw an overall application rate of 1.05 to 1 for general admissions, according to final figures released Wednesday, March 6, 2026. The numbers, released by the prefectural board of education, reflect continued low rates and raise concerns about a potential shift away from public education.
A total of 33,422 students applied for 31,847 available slots in the full-time courses. This marks a slight increase from the preliminary figures released on March 5, which showed an average application rate of 1.02 to 1.
Competition varied significantly by school. Kitano High School received 1.26 applications for each available spot, while Neyagawa High School had a rate of 1.24. Meanwhile, Tennoji High School, a Super Science High School, saw a 1.16 application rate.
Among ordinary courses, excluding those with a unit-credit system, 18,335 students applied for 17,787 openings, resulting in an average rate of 1.03. Unit-credit courses saw a rate of 1.01, while specialized courses had a rate of 1.10. Comprehensive courses, excluding the Creative School, had a rate of 0.98, and the Creative School itself saw a rate of 0.91.
The academic exam is scheduled for March 11, and results are expected to be announced on March 19. The data underscores ongoing trends in the region’s public school system.
