The education ministry is set to implement a new framework in the next fiscal year to promote investment in Japanese language schools. The goal is to improve the condition of Japanese language education and raise teachers’ salaries. This move comes as the country faces a worsening labor shortage and aims to make it easier for companies and employers to secure foreign workers with Japanese language skills.
Under the current system implemented by the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, Japanese language schools that meet certain standards can be certified. However, many of these schools struggle financially due to relying on tuition fees. To address this issue, the ministry plans to introduce a new framework that will allow for investment in these schools.
Investment will enable schools to improve their quality of education by raising teachers’ salaries, hiring competent staff, and providing high-quality lessons. It will also allow them to invest in equipment for online lessons and develop curricula tailored to learners with different levels of Japanese ability.
To test this framework, about 10 locations nationwide will be selected. A private entity commissioned by the ministry will act as an intermediary between potential investors and certified schools. They will approach companies, local governments, universities, and other parties seeking investments.
Many Japanese language schools lack knowledge about investments like these. Therefore, the coordinator appointed by the ministry will serve as a liaison between them and potential investors. Their role is crucial in helping schools understand why investments are necessary and how they can benefit from them.
The ministry plans to evaluate the results of this test phase and share any issues or challenges that arise with Japanese language schools across the country. This information will provide effective methods for attracting investments.
The increasing number of foreign nationals living in Japan has prompted this initiative by the ministry. In 2023 alone, there were 3.41 million foreign nationals compared with 2.07 million in 2013 – an increase of approximately 1.6 times.
Currently, there are around 2,800 educational institutions nationwide teaching Japanese to foreigners with approximately 220k students enrolled; however disparities exist between different school’s standards of education provided along with teacher shortages.
Improving access to high-quality Japanese language education is crucial for integration into society as lower proficiency levels lead foreign nationals being unsatisfied with life in Japan according survey conducted by Immigration Services Agency.
