Japan eyes enhancing Japanese language support for foreign children

Japan's government aims to bolster assistance for Japanese language education for children recently arrived from overseas, as the demand escalates alongside the rising number of foreign residents. An education ministry panel of experts, released in June, highlighted that the central government should spearhead efforts to elevate educational standards nationwide for children of non-Japanese nationalities. This includes establishing models for Japanese-language pre-class programs and providing clear teaching guidelines.

The count of public elementary, junior high, and high school students requiring Japanese-language training has nearly doubled within the past decade, reaching a peak of 84,759 as of May 2025, many of whom are foreign nationals. While acknowledging ongoing initiatives to deliver specialized language curricula and recruit more teachers, the report warned that the influx of foreign pupils has reached a pace that's challenging to keep up with.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology anticipates the pre-class programs will also enable foreign children to familiarize themselves with Japanese culture and seamlessly integrate into school life. Yokohama, a major city near Tokyo, hosts such programs for approximately 4,600 students needing Japanese-language instruction as of May 2025.

Himawari, a facility in Naka Ward that opened in 2017, operates a 12-day program for elementary and junior high students in three age groups. Students engage in language classes three times a week for about a month, from morning to noon, alongside regular school activities. The curriculum encompasses language lessons, classroom cleanliness routines, and provides a venue for parents to obtain guidance during drop-off and pickup times.

One Chinese teenager, who moved to Japan in April, expressed his eagerness to enjoy his school experience in Japan, hoping to make friends and join the basketball club. The ultimate objective is to equip children with the essential Japanese language skills they need and then pass the torch to their schools. Masumi Kanazawa, the principal of Himawari, emphasized the importance of such facilities in ensuring a smooth transition for foreign students.

The education ministry panel report suggests that the pre-class teaching guidelines should also leverage digital technology, such as generative artificial intelligence. Teachers drafting individualized teaching plans for foreign students are advised to consider additional data, including the student's prior education and the goals set by the student and their parents. The report calls for a streamlined format to avoid overwhelming teachers.

Lastly, the report urges the central government to disseminate multilingual documents for students and parents offered by municipalities, as well as information regarding residency status provided by the Justice Ministry, to better support foreign students seeking higher education or employment opportunities.