Japanese Language Schools: Improving Education for Foreigners Is an Urgent Task

Editorial

16:36 JST, May 24, 2026

More and more foreign nationals are living in Japan. Encouraging them to acquire proper Japanese language skills will help them understand Japanese ways of thinking and lifestyle customs. It is also important from the perspective of securing a workforce of foreign nationals in Japanese society.

As of the end of last year, the number of foreign nationals living in Japan had exceeded 4 million for the first time, totaling 4.12 million. Japanese language education is increasingly important, to help prevent isolation caused by language barriers and to avoid trouble stemming from a lack of communication.

About 2,700 entities, including Japanese language schools, local governments and private organizations, provide Japanese language education across the country. They offer learning opportunities to a total of 300,000 foreign nationals, including international students, foreign workers and their family members.

Among these entities, Japanese language schools — which are attended by about 100,000 international students — were previously overseen by the Justice Ministry. In fiscal 2024, the government introduced a system for certifying the schools as “accredited Japanese language institutes” under the jurisdiction of the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry if they meet certain requirements.

Traditionally, language schools have mostly been operated by private companies or educational corporations, and disparities in the quality of education have been pointed out as a problem. It is important for the government to guarantee the educational content so that international students can receive a certain standard of education at any school.

However, it is problematic that despite four rounds of screening being conducted so far, fewer than 100 schools have been accredited, causing delays in the transition to the new system.

Until recently, language schools functioned primarily as preparatory schools for those planning to study at universities, with an emphasis on teaching reading and writing. Now, these schools are focusing more on teaching listening and speaking to help students adapt to life in Japan.

However, language schools for international students lack the necessary expertise, making the shift challenging.

To be accredited as a Japanese language institution, schools must obtain certification from the government by the end of March 2029. Teachers at accredited institutes are also required to obtain a newly established national qualification.

Schools that fail to do this will no longer be able to accept international students. While it is understandable that high-quality schools will remain, and others will be phased out, a situation must be avoided in which there are not enough schools to accommodate international students.

Some accredited schools have overhauled their textbooks and shifted to communication-focused curriculums. It is hoped that many more schools will proceed with the transition process while using their examples as a reference.

There are also many challenges regarding Japanese language education for foreign workers and their family members. Nearly 40% of municipalities lack learning centers for them, and half of the teachers are volunteers.

The central and local governments must deepen their collaboration with accredited institutes and other entities to create an environment in which Japanese language education can be provided in keeping with foreign residents’ visa statuses and living conditions.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 24, 2026)