Japan faces shortage of language teachers for foreign workers

Tokyo – Japan is grappling with a shortage of Japanese language teachers for foreign workers as the country prepares to implement a new system for foreign worker acceptance in April, according to a recent government survey. The new Employment for Skill Development program supersedes the Technical Intern Training program, mandating foreign nationals to achieve at least an A1 level in Japanese proficiency tests or complete 100 hours of language classes prior to employment in Japan.

Conducted jointly by the Immigration Services Agency and the labor ministry, the survey queried organizations supporting foreign workers and their host companies on their progress in recruiting qualified Japanese language instructors. Of the 348 organizations that responded, 35.9% reported insufficient numbers of registered teachers with no prospects for improvement, while 14.7% claimed they had secured enough teachers.

An additional 19% expressed hope for securing sufficient teachers in the future, with the remaining 106 respondents currently working on the issue. The survey's 348 participants anticipate accepting a total of 17,247 foreign workers under the new program during its inaugural year, including 13,502 individuals expected to meet the A1 level or above requirement in Japanese proficiency tests before arrival.

Respondents cited a lack of registered Japanese language teachers and uncertainty regarding teacher sourcing as primary concerns. As of August, the number of registered Japanese language teachers stood at approximately 20,000. An official from the Immigration Services Agency emphasized the need to raise awareness about the new system and pledged further efforts to secure teachers.