It’s undeniable how lots of foreigners dream of studying and living in Japan. The country’s education and quality of life are outstanding! A total of 2,829,416 foreigners living in Japan were registered in 2019, and the government already expected a drastic increase in the numbers after the “Specified Skills” visa was approved. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved the Specified Skills or tokutei ginou (特定技能) visa last year as a resolution to Japan’s critical labor shortage. You have more chances to work or study in the land of the rising sun!

Japan has been moving toward globalization for years now. How much do you know about the current situation in Japan involving foreign residents? If you’re planning to migrate or study in Japan, the Japanese government has great news. With the Japanese Language Education Promotion Bill, foreigners will soon have more access to learning and living in Japan.

Study in Japan: The Japanese Language Education Promotion Bill

A group of lawmakers drafted the Japanese Language Education Promotion Bill, which the Upper House Committee on Education and Science approved on June 20, 2019. The bill focuses on the responsibilities of the Japanese government and the business sector in promoting the Japanese language and culture, specifically to the foreigners living in the country. It is for everyone: students, employees, children, and families!

The bill hopes to provide opportunities to foreign residents who want to study Japanese to “match their needs, abilities, and circumstances they are placed in.” These are all in the hands of both the national and local governments in Japan. Although we’re still in the early stages of the bill’s approval, based on the information released to the public, you can look forward to the following:

Japanese Language Education

Photo by tripu on Flickr

The “Japanese Language Education Promotion Bill” prioritizes the provision of Japanese language education to foreigners in Japan. It will make sure that you can learn to write, read, and speak in Japanese at a level appropriate for you! Although JENESYS and a ton of other Japanese language and culture programs by Japanese universities exist, there is still a need to facilitate Japanese language education for foreigners in the country properly.

You can also study in Japan through different scholarships like the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. But if you intend to live and work in Japan, the bill is made to assist you if you don’t have enough language skills. Lawmaker Masaharu Nakagawa noted that Japan needs to “provide a sufficient environment” where foreigners can study Japanese as the country continuously invites more foreign students.

The bill aims to enhance the Japanese language education in Japan, so foreigners residing in the country can live comfortably and harmoniously with society. With this, non-Japanese employees and their families can get tutorial opportunities! Looking to learn the language while waiting for the government’s move? Check out different free or affordable Japanese language classes near you.

High-Quality Japanese Classes

Photo by Molly on Flickr

If there’s a need for enhanced Japanese language education in Japan, then there’s also a need for certified Japanese language teachers. The bill requires the central government to “develop appropriate means for assessing language skills,” presenting a need to cultivate high-quality language teachers. This means you can hope for a partnership between the government and the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). You’ll be learning the language with the best!

Currently, Japan doesn’t have an official certification qualifying Japanese language teachers. The bill aims to address this, as well as the quality of Japanese schools and the teachers’ salaries. The government might also develop a nationwide system for the Japanese language teachers’ placement. Anticipate that Japan will be implementing specific measures to promote Japanese language education.

The Japanese government wants foreigners living in Japan to feel at home in the country. That means you won’t have to feel intimidated by the language and culture and gradually feel like you belong to the community you’re in. Learning the language can be the biggest challenge, so the move to provide certified language teachers is necessary. You’re in for high-quality Japanese classes!

Promote Japanese Culture

Different Japanese Language and Culture Programs are perfect for foreigners who are seeking first-hand Japan experience. Perhaps the most exciting part of these programs is the cultural immersion, where students go to various Japanese spots to join cultural events. With the Japanese Language Education Promotion Bill, you could hope for more exposure to Japanese culture!

A law that promotes Japanese culture and art only briefly mentioned the importance of Japanese education to foreign residents in 2001. Its primary purpose was to encourage foreigners to study Japanese culture, but it lacked assimilation. The Japanese Language Education Promotion Bill seeks to promote the Japanese language, along with the Japanese culture. The two are equally significant, after all.

With the available information regarding the Japanese Language Education Promotion Bill, it could be possible to amplify the initiatives that introduce Japanese culture to foreign students. The new bill could include more educational programs where foreign students can learn more about Japanese history. Tea ceremonies, kimono, temples, various festivities, and their cultural significance? There’s a lot to look forward to learning to grow into the Japanese life!

Conclusion

With The Japanese Language Education Promotion Bill pointing toward high-quality Japanese language education for foreign residents in Japan, you can rest assured that you’ll have more opportunities to study, work, and live in the country. The bill can be a legal basis for the government to develop education programs, and it also urges employers to support the employee’s goal to learn the language. Japan is making way for you to find your place in the country!

Motto Japan Group

Motto Japan, the community platform to support foreigners with the foundation for life in Japan, including Japanese study, job opportunities, and housing service. Motto Japan Media will provide a wide variety of information for Japanese fans all over the world, to create a cross-cultural environment and enrich the life of foreign residents in Japan!