In my recent exploration of the Japanese education system, I discovered that education in Japan is not entirely free. While public elementary and junior high schools do not charge tuition fees, parents are still responsible for covering costs related to school materials, lunches, and extracurricular activities. High school education, however, is not free, and families must pay tuition fees. The government does offer subsidies and scholarships to help ease the financial burden, but it's important to note that education in Japan is not universally free. Overall, the Japanese education system has a mix of free and paid components, with financial assistance available to those in need.