EXCLUSIVE: Japan Mulling Language Programs for Residency Screenings

Tokyo, April 28 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s government is considering creating programs teaching foreigners Japanese language, culture and social rules and making attendance in the programs a factor taken into account in residency screenings, Jiji Press learned Tuesday. The government plans to start the programs on a trial basis in fiscal 2028, informed sources said. This comes in response to calls from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party for measures to address increasing problems between local and foreign residents. The programs will be tailored to participants’ home countries and regions as well as their life stages, according to the sources. The government will consider measures allowing foreigners to take the programs before coming to Japan, the possibility of making children’s attendance at school a factor for their parents’ residency screenings, and making attendance in the programs a requirement for permanent residency, the sources said. Outlines of the study programs will be drawn up within fiscal 2027, and the government will develop a system to keep track of foreigners’ participation in the programs. On Tuesday, Kimi Onoda, minister in charge of harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals, reported progress in the work to set up the envisaged programs to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Takaichi posted on X, formerly Twitter, “I aim to establish an orderly inclusive society by taking resolute actions against problematic behavior, in order to protect foreigners who abide by laws.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]