Tokyo, Oct. 19 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s education ministry plans to expand Japanese-language education for foreign residents as their numbers reach a record high and many communities struggle to meet growing demand for classes. Japan had a record 4,281,026 foreign residents at the end of June, Justice Minister Takashi Yamashita said. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology plans to help local governments strengthen their teaching programs through subsidies and expert guidance. In August this year, the ministry adopted a policy package on Japanese-language education aimed at helping Japanese and foreign residents live together harmoniously. It has sought 11.3 billion yen for related programs in its fiscal 2027 budget request, roughly four times the previous year’s budget. For Children, Students The budget request includes a new program to provide financial support to local governments that set up “pre-classes” for children about to enter elementary or junior high school. The classes will teach basic Japanese and introduce children to school life. About 40 local governments in areas with large foreign populations will be selected through an application process. The program will subsidize operating costs, including personnel expenses for instructors. The ministry also plans to study how participating local governments run their classes and use the findings to develop operational manuals and teaching materials. Another aim of the ministry is to strengthen Japanese-language instruction in elementary and junior high schools. Starting in fiscal 2027, it plans to add more than 1,000 teachers involved in such instruction to the roster of teachers whose salaries are partially funded by the national government. The measure is intended to help schools assign teachers to provide students with individual support. A ministry survey found that a record 84,759 students at public elementary, junior high, senior high and other schools nationwide needed Japanese-language instruction in 2025. More than 10 pct did not receive it, as many areas struggled to secure the necessary funding and staff. “We want to create an environment in which students can receive education that meets a certain standard no matter where they are across the country,” a senior ministry official said. Adult Education For adults, the education ministry plans to develop a program that teaches Japanese and practical daily-life skills to medium- and long-term foreign residents. Under the joint project with the Justice Ministry, the education ministry will be responsible for developing the language curriculum and teaching materials. Participants will watch online videos before entering Japan or shortly after arriving. These will cover basic Japanese as well as rules and etiquette for daily life, and participants’ comprehension will then be assessed. The government is discussing plans to make the completion of the program a requirement for approving residency applications. The ministry also plans to issue guidelines in fiscal 2027 for Japanese-language classes run by local governments and other organizations. The guidelines will show standards for how the classes are operated and what they teach. The classes cover Japanese needed for everyday activities, such as greeting others and shopping. A ministry survey found that about 40 pct of municipalities had not established such classes as of fiscal 2024. The guidelines are meant to encourage local governments to act by giving them practical advice on how to set up classes. The ministry hopes to fund these programs with revenue from residence application fees. In August this year, the government decided to raise the fee for changing or renewing residence status from a flat 6,000 yen to between 10,000 and 75,000 yen, depending on the period of stay. The fee for permanent residency applications will rise from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen. “Providing Japanese-language education is a policy measure that also benefits foreign nationals,” a senior ministry official said. “We would like to make the fullest possible use of the increased revenue.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
