(Provisional Translation)

Basic Policy for the Comprehensive and Effective
Implementation of Measures to Promote Japanese
Language Education

Cabinet Decision
June 23, 2020

Table of Contents
Introduction ...............................................................................................................................1
Chapter 1 Basic Direction for Promoting Japanese Language Education..............................2
1 Purpose of Promoting Japanese Language Education .......................................................2
2 National and Local Government Responsibilities .............................................................3
3 Responsibilities of Employers ...........................................................................................3
4 Strengthening Partnerships between Relevant Ministries and Agencies and Related
Organizations .....................................................................................................................3
Chapter 2 Content of the Promotion of Japanese Language Education .................................4
1 Expansion of Japanese Language Education Opportunities ..............................................4(1) Expansion of Japanese language education opportunities within Japan ......................4(i) Japanese language education for foreign schoolchildren and preschoolers .............4(ii) Japanese language education for international students ..........................................6(iii) Japanese language education for foreign employees ...............................................7(iv) Japanese language education for refugees ...............................................................8(v) Japanese language education in regional areas .......................................................9(2) Enhancement of Japanese language education overseas ............................................11(i) Japanese language education for foreign nationals overseas .................................11(ii) Japanese language education for Japanese children resident overseas ..................14
2 Promotion of Understanding and Interest among the Populace......................................14
3 Maintenance and Improvement of the Level of Japanese Language Education ..............15(1) Maintenance and improvement of Japanese language education standards at
Japanese-language educational institutions ................................................................15(2) Improvement of skills and abilities of those who engage in Japanese language
education .....................................................................................................................16
4 Formulation of Curriculum Guidelines ............................................................................17
5 Assessment of Japanese Language Proficiency ...............................................................18
6 Research and Provision of Information on Japanese Language Education .....................19(1) Research on Japanese language education .................................................................19(2) Provision of information on Japanese language education ........................................20
Chapter 3 Other Important Matters Concerning the Promotion of Japanese Language
Education ..............................................................................................................21
1 Promotion Frameworks ....................................................................................................21(1) Council for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education.....................................21(2) Local government promotion frameworks .................................................................21
2 Development of Systems Concerning Organizations Providing Japanese Language
Education .........................................................................................................................21
3 Review of the Basic Policy ..............................................................................................22

Introduction
The number of foreign residents of Japan has been growing in recent years. Whereas thefigure stood at approximately 1.08 million (about 0.87% of the total population) at the end of
1990, when the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Cabinet Order No. 319 of
1951; hereinafter the “Immigration Control Act”) was amended, it had risen to approximately
2.93 million (about 2.33% of the total population) by the end of 2019 and, as of the end of
October 2019, the number of foreign nationals working in Japan stood at 1.66 million, marking
a record high in both cases.
Japanese language learners within Japan have increased in number and become more diverse
over this period, rising from approximately 60,000 in November 1990 to approximately
260,000 as of November 2018. Moreover, Japanese language education is taking place in arecord 142 countries and regions worldwide and the preliminary results of an FY2018 survey
showed that there were around 3.85 million Japanese language learners, demonstrating thatdemand for Japanese language education overseas remains high.
Relevant ministerial councils have put together the documents entitled Comprehensive
Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals (decided on December 25,
2018; revised on December 20, 2019) and Enhancement of “Comprehensive Measures for
Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals” (June 18, 2019), and the government is
steadily implementing the measures needed for acceptance of all foreign nationals with a statusof residence as members of society, thereby achieving an inclusive society with foreign
nationals.
As further increases in the number of foreign residents are anticipated following the April
2019 launch of a new system for the acceptance of foreign human resources (the Specified
Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii) statuses of residence), enabling foreign
residents to learn Japanese will be of paramount importance in ensuring that foreign nationals
are absorbed as members of Japanese society and do not become isolated from society. It will
be necessary to clarify learning goals and further enhance Japanese language education, inorder to put in place an environment in which all foreign nationals in Japan can acquire theJapanese language proficiency required to lead their lives in Japanese society and communicate
more smoothly at school, at work, and in daily life.
The Act on Promotion of Japanese Language Education (Act No. 48 of 2019. Hereinafter
the “Japanese Language Education Promotion Act”), which is aimed at promoting Japanese
language education, was promulgated and entered into force on June 28, 2019. The Act
stipulates that the government has a duty to comprehensively formulate and implement
measures concerning the promotion of Japanese language education, pursuant to the basic
principles of the Act. This policy (hereinafter the “Basic Policy”) prescribes the basic policy
for comprehensively and effectively implementing measures to promote Japanese language
education, in accordance with the provisions of Article 10 of the Act.

1

Chapter 1 Basic Direction for Promoting Japanese Language Education
1 Purpose of Promoting Japanese Language Education
Promoting Japanese language education is important both to assist in creating anenvironment in which foreign nationals living in Japan can coexist and lead a normal life insociety alongside Japanese citizens, and to promote a deeper understanding of and interest inJapan in other countries and regions.
Comprehensive and effective implementation of measures concerning Japanese language
education will result in creating a dynamic and inclusive society that respects diverse cultures,and contribute to further exchange, and maintenance and development of friendly relations
with other countries and regions.
In promoting Japanese language education, it is necessary to comprehensively formulate
and implement measures concerning the promotion of Japanese language education, pursuant
to the following seven basic principles of the Act.
(1) The promotion of Japanese language education must be conducted in such a way as tosecure to the greatest extent possible opportunities for foreign nationals, etc. who wish
to receive Japanese language education to do so in a manner consistent with their wishes,circumstances, and ability.
(2) The promotion of Japanese language education must be conducted in such a way as toensure the maintenance and improvement of the level of Japanese language education.
(3) The promotion of Japanese language education must be conducted comprehensively,
ensuring organic coordination between foreign policy and measures relating to
education, labor, immigration control, and other relevant measures pertaining to foreign
nationals, etc.
(4) The promotion of Japanese language education must be conducted based on theunderstanding that Japanese language education within Japan contributes to revitalizing
local communities.
(5) The promotion of Japanese language education must be conducted in such a way as todeepen understanding of and interest in Japan overseas through Japanese language
education abroad, encourage exchange with other countries, and contribute to themaintenance and development of friendly relations with other countries.
(6) The promotion of Japanese language education must be conducted with considerationfor ensuring that foreign nationals, etc. gain a deeper understanding of and interest in
the significance of learning the Japanese language.
(7) The promotion of Japanese language education must be conducted with consideration
for the importance of the languages used in education, etc. in the homes of foreign
nationals, etc. who reside in Japan and are of preschool or school age (the period fromthe beginning of the first school year after the day following the date on which the childreaches the age of six until the end of the school year in which the date on which thechild reaches the age of 15 falls).
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2 National and Local Government Responsibilities
The government has a responsibility to comprehensively formulate and implement measures
to promote Japanese language education in accordance with the Japanese Language Education
Promotion Act, and must also take the necessary legislative, financial, and other measures. The
government will prepare documents concerning the state of Japanese language education andthe measures that it has taken, and will publish them on websites and via other appropriate
means.
Local governments have a responsibility to formulate and implement measures to promote
Japanese language education tailored to local circumstances in accordance with the Japanese
Language Education Promotion Act, based on an appropriate division of roles with thegovernment.
3 Responsibilities of Employers
Employers are required to cooperate with measures to promote Japanese language education
implemented by national or local government in accordance with the Japanese Language
Education Promotion Act, and also to endeavor to provide foreign nationals, etc. whom they
employ and the families thereof with learning opportunities to acquire the Japanese language
required for their duties or daily life and with other Japanese language learning support.
4 Strengthening Partnerships between Relevant Ministries and Agencies and Related
Organizations
Undertaking initiatives to promote Japanese language education based on partnerships
between relevant ministries and agencies and related organizations is important in order toensure the appropriate conduct of Japanese language education within Japan and overseas.
Within Japan, the national and local governments will endeavor to put in place the necessary
frameworks and strengthen partnerships among the relevant parties, including among therelevant ministries and agencies and with other relevant organizations, organizations providing
Japanese language education, employers, and groups supporting the daily lives of foreign
nationals, etc.
Japanese language education abroad needs to be conducted not only appropriately,according to the circumstances in each country and region, but also in a sustainable manner.
To this end, the government will make efforts to put in place the necessary frameworks andstrengthen partnerships with the Japan Foundation (JF), the Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA), Japanese-language educational institutions, administrative bodies andeducational institutions in each country and region, associations of Japanese language teachers,
Japanese companies, Japanese nationals and Japanese immigrants and descendants (the Nikkei
community), and Japan alumni associations, among others.
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Chapter 2 Content of the Promotion of Japanese Language Education
1 Expansion of Japanese Language Education Opportunities(1) Expansion of Japanese language education opportunities within Japan(i) Japanese language education for foreign schoolchildren and preschoolers
With the number of foreign nationals resident in Japan increasing, the number of foreign
children enrolled in schools is also rising year on year. In addition, a growing number ofchildren—primarily those from homes in which the parents are in an international
marriage—have Japanese nationality, but lack adequate Japanese language proficiency,with more than 50,000 schoolchildren, secondary students and high school students wholive in a multilingual environment requiring Japanese language instruction.1
Furthermore, the situation concerning children needing Japanese language instruction
is more complex in nature than ever before; for example, as the countries of origin of
foreign nationals become increasingly diverse, the native tongues of these schoolchildren
are also becoming more varied, while there is a tendency for foreign nationals to clusterin particular areas.
In addition, the results of a survey2 conducted for the first time in FY2019 revealed thereality that approximately 20,000 foreign children are potentially not enrolled in school orare in a situation in which their enrollment status cannot be confirmed.
Securing appropriate educational opportunities is essential in order for children to beable to learn the basics of daily life, extend their abilities, and open up the possibilities fortheir future. The government will therefore take the measures required to encourage theenrollment of foreign children in school, put in place frameworks for their acceptance inschools, and enhance Japanese language instruction, educational guidance, life skills
guidance, and careers guidance. In doing so, the government will also give consideration
to the importance of children’s native language and culture, and the need to promote
understanding of education among parents and guardians. Through these measures, thegovernment will create an environment in which Japanese and foreign children can learn
together, thereby cultivating individuals capable of playing an active role in society withan international outlook, as well as contributing to the achievement of a dynamic inclusive
society.
[Examples of Specific Measures]
・To enhance acceptance and support frameworks for children needing Japanese language
instruction at public schools, the government will move forward with steady improvements
based on the provisions of the Law Concerning Class-size and the Standard of the Number

1“Survey of Acceptance of Children Needing Japanese Language Instruction,” May 2018 survey,
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
2“Survey of Foreign Children’s School Enrollment,” May 2019 survey, Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology.
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of School Personnel of Public Compulsory Education Schools (Act No. 116 of 1958) in
respect of the number of teaching staff required to provide Japanese language instruction,
and will support the development of guidance frameworks by local governments by suchmeans as the cultivation and use of Japanese language instruction assistants and support
staff who speak children’s native tongues. In addition, the government will promote initialintensive support initiatives, support that taps into multilingual translation systems andother forms of information and communications technology (ICT), the provision ofclasses that enable Japanese and foreign nationals to learn together and understand eachother, initiatives that take children’s native tongues and cultures into consideration, andpartnerships with relevant local organizations.
・As well as putting in place structures for delivering systematic Japanese language
instruction, the government will seek to improve the skills and abilities of teachers
involved in educating children needing Japanese language instruction by promoting
initiatives during the training phase and providing support for the enhancement of training
provided by local governments, etc. and for training the trainers. In particular, thegovernment will promote initiatives in the early childhood education stage aimed atenhancing instruction that gives consideration to the distinctive features of earlychildhood development.
・To ensure that forward-looking careers guidance is provided at junior and senior highschools, the government will provide comprehensive support for careers education aimed
at foreign students. The government will also encourage all prefectures to give special
consideration in their systems for selecting public high school entrants, including setting
special quotas for foreign students and those who have returned after living abroad.
・To ensure that foreign children with disabilities can received appropriate education, thegovernment will take the measures required to enable special needs education teachers tolearn about providing support to foreign children.
・With the aim of securing opportunities for all foreign children to attend school, thegovernment will encourage local government efforts to ascertain the school enrollment
status of such children, provide information to parents and guardians, and implement
initiatives to encourage school attendance, working in partnership with departments
within government bodies, such as those handling the basic resident register, international
exchange, and welfare, as well as with relevant local organizations, such as nonprofit
organizations (NPOs) and schools for foreign nationals. The government will also draw
up guidelines listing the steps that local governments should take to secure opportunities
for foreign children to attend school.
・The government will encourage initiatives aimed at developing school environments inwhich all schoolchildren, including Japanese nationals, gain an understanding not only ofJapanese language and culture, but also of diverse other languages, cultures, and values,
and learn from each other on the basis of mutual respect.
5・

Evening classes 3 are educational institutions where people who have not adequately
received compulsory education in their own country or Japan will be able to acquire theknowledge and skills necessary for social and economic independence; about 80% of thestudents are foreign nationals. Accordingly, in order to establish at least one evening classin each prefecture or designated city, in accordance with the Act on Securing Education
Opportunities (Act on Securing Education Opportunities Equivalent to General Educationin the Compulsory Education Stage (Act No. 105 of 2016)) and the Third Basic Plan for
the Promotion of Education, support will be provided to initiatives to identify the need for
preparations for the establishment of new evening classes and to establish such classes, andsuch initiatives will be promoted by holding training sessions for local governments andenhancing public relations activities.

・To enhance the Japanese language education environment for foreign schoolchildren andother foreign nationals including parents and guardians, etc., the government will promote
the creation of a comprehensive system for Japanese language education in regional areas
by prefectures and designated cities. In addition, the government will support advanced
initiatives such as ICT-based remote learning and initiatives aimed at securing Japanese
language study opportunities in regional areas for foreign nationals, etc., including
schoolchildren, and their parents and guardians.
(ii) Japanese language education for international students
There are approximately 346,000 (as of the end of 2019) 4 students with foreign
nationality living in Japan with a “Student” status of residence (hereinafter “international
students”) and their number is on the increase. Through their studies, international students
become professionals equipped with advanced knowledge and skills, along with a deeper
understanding of Japanese society and culture, so it is hoped that they will settle in Japanand play an active role here after completing their studies.
To enable international students who wish to find employment or conduct research inJapan to fulfill their aspirations and play an active role, the government will take themeasures required to enhance support for international students, including supportingthem in acquiring the Japanese language proficiency needed for their duties, as well asthat needed to facilitate communication in the workplace and for daily life.

[Examples of Specific Measures]・The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) willaccredit educational programs delivered by universities working in partnership with
3

These are schools that substantially guarantee people past school age who did not complete
compulsory education an opportunity to receive compulsory education; as of April 2020, there were 34
public evening junior high schools in 10 prefectures and 28 cities nationwide.
4
Ministry of Justice announcement, March 27, 2020.
6

companies and other organizations to teach international students business Japanese,
which is a skill that they will require to find employment in Japan, and will undertake thenationwide rollout of a mechanism to help international students to find employment at
Japanese companies.
・The government will promote and support an international student acceptance model inwhich specialized training colleges work with Japanese language educational institutions
and the industrial sector to support Japanese language education for international students
and their settlement in Japan after graduation.
・The government will provide international students, etc. who have received a preliminary
offer of employment from a company with training aimed at improving thecommunication skills required to settle into a workplace easily, as well as teaching them
about Japanese employment practices, labor laws, corporate culture, and other knowledge
that is a prerequisite for communication.
・To enhance the Japanese language education environment for international students andother foreign nationals, etc., the government will promote the creation of a comprehensive
system for Japanese language education in regional areas by prefectures and designatedcities. In addition, the government will support advanced initiatives such as ICT-based
remote learning and initiatives aimed at securing Japanese language study opportunities
in regional areas for foreign nationals, etc., including international students.
(iii) Japanese language education for foreign employees
The number of foreign workers in Japan is approximately 1.66 million (2019); thisfigure covers a variety of situations, including individuals granted residence on the basisof personal relationship or status, individuals granted residence for work purposes, andindividuals engaged in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence
previously granted. Since the 1990 amendment of the Immigration Control Act, thenumber of foreign workers resident in Japan has continued to rise, due to such factors as
the increase in the number of people of Japanese descent coming to Japan to work and the2010 creation of the “Technical Intern Training” status of residence. In the field of nursing
and nursing care, candidates for nurses and certified care workers undergo training at hostfacilities after entering Japan through exceptional acceptance systems established underbilateral economic partnership agreements.
To work in Japan, individuals must not only acquire the specialized Japanese required
for their duties, but also the Japanese that they will need for everyday life, to enable themto communicate in Japanese in their workplaces. It is also important to enhance theenvironment on the host side to ensure effective communication in the workplace, etc.
Accordingly, the government will take such measures as providing opportunities forindividuals to acquire the Japanese required for daily life and Japanese relating to workand their field of specialism.
7

[Examples of Specific Measures]・The government will conduct a survey of key elements of effective communication withforeign personnel by Japanese managers and colleagues and techniques for learning them,and will also consider the use of effective content and study methods by companies.
・Through Japanese language training in Japan based on economic partnership agreements,
the government will provide opportunities for nurse and certified care worker candidates
to learn Japanese related to their specialized field, so that they can live their daily lives
and smoothly engage in work and training at hospitals and nursing care facilities.
・The government will support employer initiatives to enable the foreign nationals, etc. they
employ to learn specialized Japanese as part of their vocational training to acquire
specialist knowledge and skills related to their duties.
・In the field of nursing and nursing care, the government will provide support to hostfacilities with foreign nationals who are seeking to improve their Japanese language
proficiency in their field of specialism, conduct training courses, etc. for such foreign
nationals, and support the development and use of teaching materials to enable foreign
nationals, etc. to engage in independent study of Japanese language relating to nursing
care.
・The government will support the development of teaching materials, etc. to enable
employers to provide technical intern trainees with opportunities to further improve their
Japanese language proficiency.
・The government will provide foreign nationals who have a “Long-Term Resident” orother status of residence granted on the basis of personal relationship or status withtraining aimed at improving communication skills and teaching them about Japaneseemployment practices, labor laws, corporate culture, and other knowledge that is aprerequisite for communication, to promote their stable employment and enable them tosettle into a workplace.
・To enhance the Japanese language education environment for foreign nationals, etc.,
including workers and their families, the government will promote the creation of acomprehensive system for Japanese language education in regional areas by prefecturesand designated cities. In addition, the government will support advanced initiatives suchas ICT-based remote learning and initiatives aimed at securing Japanese language study
opportunities in regional areas for foreign nationals, etc., including workers and theirfamilies.
(iv) Japanese language education for refugees
With regard to refugees accepted by Japan, the government provides Convention8refugees5 and refugees through resettlement with Japanese language education support aspart of their resettlement support.
Most notably, in FY2010, Japan became the first country in Asia to accept refugees
through resettlement 6 and the scope and number of such refugees was expanded fromFY2020.7
The government will continue to take the necessary measures in respect of Convention
refugees and refugees through resettlement, including providing Japanese language
education at resettlement support facilities and responding to requests for advice about
Japanese language learning after refugees have left those facilities.
[Examples of Specific Measures]・The government will provide support to Convention refugees and refugees throughresettlement, including providing Japanese language education and teaching materials toenable them to acquire the basic Japanese language proficiency required to settle in Japanand responding to requests for advice about Japanese language learning. In particular, inlight of the government’s policy of expanding the number of refugees throughresettlement from FY2020, the government will further enhance Japanese language
education programs and other aspects of the learning environment.
・To enhance the Japanese language education environment for refugees and other foreign
nationals, etc., the government will promote the creation of a comprehensive system forJapanese language education in regional areas by prefectures and designated cities. In
addition, the government will support advanced initiatives such as ICT-based remotelearning and initiatives aimed at securing Japanese language study opportunities inregional areas for foreign nationals, etc., including refugees.
(v) Japanese language education in regional areas
Japanese language education in regional areas is aimed at all foreign nationals living inJapan, including foreign nationals, etc. resident in the country on the basis of a status or
position (permanent resident, spouse or child of Japanese national, spouse or child of
permanent resident, long-term resident, and dependent. As of the end of 2019, such

5

Convention refugees are individuals who meet the requirements(*) for a refugee as defined in the“Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees” (Convention No. 21 of 1981) and have been approved
under the Immigration Control Act.
(*) A person who, owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality,
membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality andis unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.
6
Resettlement refers to the practice of refugees who have gained temporary refuge in a refugee camp, etc.
being transferred from the country where they first sought refuge to a third country that has agreed to accept
them; this acceptance is referred to as the acceptance of refugees through resettlement.
7“Acceptance of Refugees through Resettlement,” received Cabinet approval on January 24, 2014,
partially amended on June 28, 2019.
9residents numbered approximately 1.39 million). While it is necessary to support foreign
nationals living in regional areas to acquire the Japanese language proficiency needed tolive their lives as independent language users, so that they can lead their lives while
communicating in Japanese, the statuses of residence and backgrounds of foreign
nationals are becoming increasingly diverse and the Japanese language education requiredby foreign nationals, etc. wanting to learn Japanese is therefore not uniform in nature.
There are also said to be differences in the motivation of foreign nationals, etc. to study
Japanese. In addition, there are substantial differences between regions in the Japanese
language education situation, such as the existence of regions with a high concentrationof foreign nationals, etc. and regions with a sparser foreign population, as well as regional
imbalances in the availability of organizations providing Japanese language education andof Japanese language education personnel.
Furthermore, a diverse array of individuals—including Japanese language teachers,
coordinators of Japanese language education in regional areas, staff of organizations
including local governments, local internationalization associations, and NPOs, andvolunteers—are responsible for Japanese language education in regional areas, according
to their various roles, such as providing learning support and running classes. It is therefore
necessary to promote partnerships and cooperation between prefectures, municipalities,
companies, schools, and other relevant organizations.
Accordingly, as well as providing Japanese language education tailored to local
circumstances in each region, it is imperative to present learning content of a certain level,
to endeavor to guarantee the quality and secure the quantity of personnel teaching
Japanese, and to strive to motivate foreign nationals, etc. to study Japanese by such means
as clarifying learning objectives. In light of this situation, the government will take themeasures required to enhance the Japanese language education environment in regional
areas, with the aim of enabling foreign nationals, etc. to acquire the Japanese language
proficiency needed to live their lives as independent language users, to further facilitatecommunication in education, work, and daily life.
[Examples of Specific Measures]・The government will support the creation by prefectures and designated cities of acomprehensive system for Japanese language education in regional areas, including theestablishment of general coordination committees and overall coordinators, the provisionof Japanese language classes, and training government staff and local citizens in the useof plain Japanese. In addition, the government will promote Japanese language educationin the regions across the country by such means as supplying know-how, ascertaining thestate of Japanese language education by exchanging information with local government
staff responsible for Japanese language education, and providing opportunities for local
governments to exchange information with each other.
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・To provide opportunities for foreign nationals, etc. living in areas without Japanese
language classes to study Japanese, the government will encourage the establishment ofJapanese language classes by dispatching experts in Japanese language education to serveas advisors to municipalities that have a certain number of resident foreign nationals, etc.,
but no Japanese language class provision (hereinafter, “areas lacking Japanese language
classes”). In addition, the government will provide a forum for discussion of theestablishment and operation of Japanese language classes by setting up a consultative
body to introduce areas lacking Japanese language classes to advanced examples of theprovision of such classes. Furthermore, the government will develop Japanese language
learning materials (ICT-based teaching materials) that enable learners to engage in selfstudy tailored to their living situation and will make them available for foreign nationals,
etc. who are unable to attend Japanese language classes regularly due to living in areas
lacking Japanese language classes.
・The government will support advanced initiatives by NPOs, public interest corporations,and universities, etc. aimed at providing Japanese language education tailored to local
circumstances and the situations of foreign nationals, etc. and at cultivating Japanese
language education personnel.
・The government will conduct training to cultivate coordinators of Japanese language
education in regional areas, who will work with government bodies and relevant localorganizations (regional immigration services bureaus, economic organizations,
universities, Japanese language schools, and NPOs, etc.), play a core role in planning andorganizing Japanese language classes, and organize and deliver Japanese language
education programs.
・To share information about examples of best practice in Japanese language education inregional areas and ensure full awareness of trends in national policy, the government willhold training for local government staff responsible for Japanese language education.
(2) Enhancement of Japanese language education overseas(i) Japanese language education for foreign nationals overseas
Providing Japanese language education to foreign nationals, etc. overseas is importantfrom the perspective of foreign policy, as it promotes understanding of and interest inJapan, and cultivates individuals who will play a leading role in exchange between Japanand other countries and regions. It also helps foreign nationals, etc. who find employment
with Japanese companies, study abroad at Japanese universities and colleges, and settle
into life in Japan more smoothly. Amid a global push by a number of major countries topopularize their own languages, there is a risk that Japan could be placed at a disadvantage
both diplomatically and economically, not to mention in other ways, if Japan fails to
implement initiatives aimed at promoting Japanese language education overseas. With
interest in Japanese culture and reasons for studying the Japanese language overseas—
11

including finding employment and studying in Japan—becoming increasingly diverse, thegovernment will strive to ensure that as many people as possible are offered opportunities
for Japanese language education and that it is carried out in a sustainable, appropriatemanner, tailored to the situation in each country and region. To this end, while
collaborating and cooperating with relevant organizations and groups both within Japanand overseas, ministries and agencies will work together to take the measures required to
improve Japanese language education systems and educational base in each country andregion.
[Examples of Specific Measures]・Through the JF, the government will dispatch experts in Japanese language education toother countries and regions, and work with administrative organizations, training
institutions for Japanese language teachers and Japanese language educational institutions
to train local Japanese language teachers who play a crucial role in providing Japanese
language education overseas, to improve their Japanese language education skills and toprovide training and advice to develop human resources to educate Japanese language
teachers. The government will also provide opportunities for local Japanese language
teachers to participate in training in Japan.
・Through the JF, the government will develop and make available teaching materials(including online teaching materials) that can be used according to the situation oflearners who study at elementary, secondary, and higher educational institutions andJapanese language educational organizations in each country and region, who plan to livein Japan for the purposes of education and work and who live in areas without any
Japanese language educational institutions nearby. At the same time, from the perspectiveof providing a variety of teaching materials in accordance with learners’ needs, thegovernment will support teaching material development projects by Japanese language
educational institutions.
・Through the JF, from the perspective of stably supplying places where foreign nationals,
etc. can learn Japanese and improving the quality of Japanese language education, thegovernment will provide financial assistance for the activities of Japanese language
teachers’ associations, academic societies, elementary, secondary, and higher educational
institutions and organizations providing Japanese language education to foreign nationals
planning to come to Japan to work, in each country and region, by offering partial grants
for necessary expenses such as hiring of teachers to continue Japanese language education,purchasing teaching materials and holding Japanese language education-related events.
In addition, through the experts in Japanese language education dispatched by the JF, thegovernment will strengthen networks of organizations and Japanese language teachers,
encourage information sharing on teaching methods and materials, and promote mutual
cooperation.
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・To maintain and increase the motivation of foreign nationals, etc. to continue to learn
Japanese, the government, through the JF, will provide cooperation for Japanese language
speech contests and other events held by Japanese-language educational institutions ineach country and region, and offer opportunities for learners to participate in training
courses in Japan. In addition, to encourage the launch and continuation of Japanese
language education in each country and region, making use of these programs toencourage learning, the government will make constant efforts for policymakers andothers involved in foreign language education to provide Japanese language education via
the JF, and diplomatic missions as necessary.
・To ensure that people with an affinity for and knowledge of Japan continue to be fosteredin the future, the government will, through the JF, provide opportunities for foreign
diplomats, civil servants, researchers, and relevant individuals who need to learn Japanesein the course of their duties to participate in training course conducted in Japan.
・Through the JF, etc., the government will conduct Japanese language training starting
before departure for nurse and certified care worker candidates under economic
partnership agreements, thereby providing opportunities for such individuals to learn not
only the Japanese required for everyday life, but also basic Japanese related to their
specialized field, so that they can smoothly engage in work and training at facilities suchas hospitals and nursing care facilities.
・As interest in Japanese culture is mentioned as one of the major motivations for foreign
nationals, etc. to study Japanese, the government will, through the JF, implement
promotion of culture and exchange aimed at communicating the attractiveness ofJapanese culture, with the objective of enhancing interest in Japanese language learning
overseas, including in countries and regions where Japanese language education is not
currently provided.
・To enable individuals wishing to study in Japan as international students to learn Japaneseto the level required to receive education at Japanese universities and colleges, thegovernment will provide support for Japanese language education systems in regional
areas and the development of associated infrastructure, in partnership with the overseas
offices of universities and other relevant organizations.
・As private sector organizations such as private companies and Japanese language
educational institutions play a major role in Japanese language education overseas, thegovernment will consider working with private sector organizations to further promote
Japanese language education overseas through efforts that involve both the public andprivate sectors.
・At the request of developing countries, JICA will continue to dispatch Japan Overseas
Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) who assist in Japanese language education tailored to
the needs of local organizations, to contribute to socioeconomic development andreconstruction of these countries.
13

(ii) Japanese language education for Japanese children resident overseas
Japanese language education for the children of Japanese nationals residing overseas isimportant to prepare them to attend school and find employment when they return to Japanin the future. In addition, the descendants of Japanese nationals who emigrated overseas
could become promoters for exchange and cultivation of pro-Japanese people in the
countries to which they have emigrated, as globally competent human resources withdiverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Accordingly, the government will take themeasures required to support Japanese language education for these individuals, to instillin them an awareness of their roots in Japan and develop a better and deeper understandingof Japan.
[Examples of Specific Measures]・Through the JF, the government will make efforts to grasp the actual conditions of theJapanese language education environment for the descendants of Japanese nationals who
emigrated overseas and children with foreign and Japanese parents, including forms oflearning Japanese, and the current status and challenges of Japanese language educational
institutions, and will provide necessary support, while working with local Japanese
language educational institutions.
・The government will provide Japanese children of school age living overseas with freetextbooks, in accordance with the purpose of the domestic system of providing freetextbooks for compulsory education. In addition, the government will seek to strengthen
the functions of the educational environment at overseas educational institutions throughsupport including the dispatch of teachers; financial support for the rent of schoolbuildings, the salaries of locally hired teachers, and the cost of safety measures; and thedevelopment of educational materials.
・To support Japanese language education provided by groups composed of migrants to
Latin America, among others, the government will strive to ascertain the status ofJapanese language education provided by such groups and dispatch JOCV via JICA toassist with Japanese language education. The government will also cultivate local
Japanese language teachers through training courses and provide grants to such groups.
2 Promotion of Understanding and Interest among the Populace
Foreign nationals, etc. need to acquire Japanese language proficiency and develop the ability
to communicate in Japanese more smoothly, to ensure that they are accepted as members ofsociety and can engage and coexist with society. Japanese language education is tremendously
significant for Japanese society, as it lays foundations that lead to livable communities andregional revitalization. Accordingly, the government will take the measures required topromote understanding and interest among Japanese citizens.
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[Examples of Specific Measures]・Enhancing the Japanese language education environment is very important to ensuringthat foreign nationals, etc. acquire the Japanese language proficiency needed for daily life.
Accordingly, the government will provide opportunities for Japanese citizens to gain adeeper understanding of the importance of Japanese language education, by such meansas organizing Japanese language education conferences to share the latest information
and advanced examples of such education and also by holding symposiums as part ofvarious programs for Japanese language education in regional areas.
・The government will put up a list of information on the website of the Agency for Cultural
Affairs, including contact details for the departments in charge of Japanese language
education at prefectures, designated cities, and core cities nationwide and details ofJapanese language classes in each area.
・The government will gather content relating to Japanese language education, including
teaching materials, curricula, reports, and policy documents, and make them available tothe public through the government-operated cross-searchable NIHONGO Education
contents Web sharing System (NEWS).
3 Maintenance and Improvement of the Level of Japanese Language Education(1) Maintenance and improvement of Japanese language education standards at
Japanese language educational institutions
As various issues have been pointed out in recent years concerning Japanese language
educational institutions designated by the Minister of Justice in the Public Notice on thestatus of residence “student” as conforming to the Public Notice Criteria for Japanese
language educational institutions, the criteria were revised in August 2019 to make themmore stringent. Going forward, the Japanese language education environment will need to
be ensured through the proper operation of the Public Notice Criteria. In the future, it willbe crucial to provide high-quality, stable education and training for those who are to engage
in Japanese language education.
Accordingly, the government will take measures to maintain and improve the educational
standard of Japanese language educational institutions, both within Japan and overseas, interms of providing fruitful learning opportunities to those who wish to learn Japanese.
[Examples of Specific Measures]・In operating a system that requires Japanese language educational institutions to report
the Japanese language proficiency examination results of their enrolled international
students to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and to report on improvement
measures if they fall below a certain standard, the government will seek to maintain andimprove the standard of education at Japanese language educational institutions through15

the appropriate provision of guidance based on documentation submitted by thoseinstitutions and the active implementation of on-site investigations and the like.
・The government will promote the cultivation of high-quality Japanese language education
personnel by introducing mandatory notification of the Agency for Cultural Affairs
concerning the training courses for Japanese language teachers that are a requirement
under the Public Notice Criteria for Japanese language educational institutions prescribedby the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
・Through the JF, the government will dispatch experts in Japanese language education to
overseas, and will also work with local educational administrative bodies to develop andpopularize education curricula and teaching materials, as well as establishing Japanese
language teacher training courses. The government will also provide financial assistanceto cover part of the necessary expenses to employ teachers and procure teaching materials
required to maintain and improve education standards at Japanese language educational
institutions overseas, and to organize events relating to Japanese language education. The
government will also encourage Japanese educational institutions to strengthen their
networks, to share their teaching methods and materials, and to promote mutual
cooperation.
(2) Improvement of skills and abilities of those who engage in Japanese language
education
With the increased demand and necessity of Japanese language education due to progressin the acceptance of foreign nationals, etc. with diverse backgrounds in Japan and thegrowing interest towards Japanese society and culture overseas, the government will takemeasures to carry out training in order to enhance the quality and ability of those who are
engaged in Japanese language education (hereinafter, “Japanese language education
personnel”).
[Examples of Specific Measures]
・ Based on the educational content and other matters set out in the Council for Cultural
Affairs Subdivision on the Japanese Language report entitled “ Revised Report on theDevelopment and Training of Japanese Language Practitioners” the government willdevelop and implement specific curricula for promoting the cultivation and training ofJapanese language education personnel to teach foreign nationals as residents,
international students, schoolchildren, workers, and individuals supporting Japanese
language learning, and will encourage widespread use thereof.
・In light of the report by the Council for Cultural Affairs Subdivision on the Japanese
Language entitled “Approaches to the Qualifications of Japanese Language Teachers,”
the government will design a new system of qualifications to certify the ability ofJapanese language teachers and take the measures required to guarantee the quality of16

Japanese language teachers.
・The government will conduct training to cultivate coordinators of Japanese language
education in regional areas, who will work with government bodies and relevant localorganizations (regional immigration services bureaus, economic organizations,
universities, Japanese language schools, and NPOs, etc.), and organize and deliver
Japanese language education programs. [Described above]・To share information about examples of best practice in Japanese language education inregional areas and ensure full awareness of trends in national policy, the government willhold training for local government staff responsible for Japanese language education.
[Described above]・Through the JF, etc., the government will support efforts to improve the abilities and skillsof Japanese language teachers who are foreign nationals, etc. by supporting workshops
for local Japanese language teachers and organizing training courses in Japan for suchteachers, as well as through travelling guidance by experts in Japanese language education
to Japanese language educational institutions.
・Through JICA, the government will support returned JOCV in playing an active role asJapanese language education personnel in local communities of Japan.
4 Formulation of Guidelines on Curriculum
While it is necessary to support foreign nationals, etc. resident in Japan to acquire theJapanese language proficiency needed to live their lives as independent language users, so thatthey can lead their lives while communicating in Japanese, the places of origin, cultures, ages,
statuses of residence, occupations, and purposes of residence of foreign nationals are becoming
increasingly diverse and the Japanese language education desired by foreign nationals, etc.
wanting to learn Japanese is therefore not uniform in nature. The government will set out acomprehensive framework for Japanese language education covering learning, teaching, andassessment, to serve as a reference for all those involved in Japanese language education,
including the diverse Japanese language learners and Japanese language teachers moving
between Japan and other countries, and also to facilitate the establishment of Japanese
language education standards and targets tailored to the activities of foreign nationals,
specifically daily life, work, and study in Japan. In addition, based on this comprehensive
framework, the government will formulate criteria for judging Japanese language proficiency
to make it easier for those accepting foreign nationals, etc. to ascertain their Japanese language
proficiency, and will seek to ensure that these criteria are disseminated and become firmly
established, as well as taking other necessary measures.
Enabling learners overseas themselves to identify their level of Japanese language
acquisition is crucial, as it helps to maintain and improve their motivation to learn, as well as
enabling Japanese language teachers to check their students’ progress. In addition, developing
and disseminating teaching methods for Japanese language education overseas, referring to
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widely used frameworks of reference for teaching other foreign languages, are effective forfurther promotion of Japanese language education. Accordingly, the government will takemeasures that will assist in this.
[Examples of Specific Measures]
・Based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), theCouncil for Cultural Affairs Subdivision on the Japanese Language will consider andcompile a Framework of Reference for Japanese Language Education covering Japanese
language learning, teaching, and assessment to which everyone involved in Japanese
language education can refer, in order to identify the Japanese language education content
and methods required at each stage of Japanese language learning and enable foreign
nationals, etc. to receive appropriate evaluation.
・Based on the Framework of Reference for Japanese Language Education, the Council for
Cultural Affairs Subdivision on the Japanese Language will review and revise the
Proposal for a Standard Curriculum for Japanese Language Education for Foreign
Nationals as Residents (May 19, 2010; Council for Cultural Affairs Subdivision on theJapanese Language), to support foreign nationals as residents in enabling them to live
their lives as independent language users and promoting communication in Japanese,
based on the assumption of mutual respect for language and culture as they carry out therequisite activities of daily life in Japanese.
・To ensure that effective and appropriate Japanese language education according tolearners’ levels and purpose of Japanese language study, the government will, throughthe JF, offer the JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education, which is a framework ofreference for Japanese language education developed on the basis of the CEFR, as well
as develop and disseminate teaching methods and materials (including online materials).
5 Assessment of Japanese Language Proficiency
Levels and judgment criteria are set based on individual indicators in various national andinternational examinations measuring the Japanese language proficiency of foreign nationals,
etc. At the same time, with the expansion of the activities of foreign nationals, etc. in various
fields requiring Japanese language proficiency and the greater diversity of Japanese language
learning and teaching methods, it is necessary to develop common indicators of Japanese
language proficiency to be utilized in each examination, to make it easier for foreign nationals,
etc. and those who accept foreign nationals, etc. to understand their Japanese language
proficiency.
The government will therefore take the necessary measures, including formulating Criteria
for Assessment of Japanese Language Proficiency based on the Framework of Reference forJapanese Language Education that can be referred to both within Japan and overseas.
[Examples of Specific Measures]
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・The Council for Cultural Affairs Subdivision on the Japanese Language will consider andcompile Criteria for Assessment of Japanese Language Proficiency, which set out methods ofshowing the relationships of the various examinations conducted within Japan andoverseas to the Framework of Reference for Japanese Language Education.
・To appropriately evaluate the Japanese language proficiency of foreign nationals learning
Japanese, the government will, through the JF, implement the Japanese-Language
Proficiency Test (JLPT) in accordance with local circumstances in each country andregion. In addition, it will implement the Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFTBasic) in accordance with needs for foreign human resources, in order to facilitate thesmooth acceptance of foreign nationals under the Specified Skilled Worker status ofresidence.
6 Research and Provision of Information on Japanese Language Education(1) Research on Japanese language education
Due to an increase in the number of foreign nationals, etc. resident in Japan and risinginterest in Japanese society and culture overseas, the number of Japanese language learners
is growing, while the Japanese language proficiency and purposes of study of foreign
nationals, etc. wishing to learn Japanese are becoming more diverse. Accordingly, thegovernment will conduct a survey of the reality of Japanese language education and takethe measures required to ascertain the information needed to solve any issues, in order tofurther promote Japanese language education.
[Examples of Specific Measures]・The government will conduct a fact-finding survey concerning Japanese language
education in Japan and undertake research tailored to issues involved in promoting
Japanese language education, including the Japanese language education content requiredfor considering, compiling, and using the Framework of Reference for Japanese Language
Education, and effective Japanese language education methods, such as ICT-based
remote learning.
・About once every three years, the JF will conduct a survey of Japanese language
educational intuitions overseas to ascertain the reality of Japanese language education ineach country and the purposes of study of Japanese language learners, so that the results
can assist in deliberations on and improvements to Japanese language education programs
conducted overseas. The results will also provide researchers and others with basic datawhen conducting surveys and research concerning Japanese language education, andserve as reference materials when Japanese language educational institutions andinternational exchange groups implement programs relating to Japanese education, andfor assisting such organizations in exchanging information and engaging in networkbuilding and interaction.
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(2) Provision of information on Japanese language education
While information that can be used by foreign nationals, etc. who wish to learn Japanesewithin Japan and overseas is available—for example, content for study purposes publishedon the website, etc. of administrative bodies that produced it—the government will take themeasures required to provide information about Japanese language education intensively,
so that those who wish to learn Japanese, Japanese language teachers, and those atworkplaces accepting Japanese language learners can access the information they needabout Japanese language education in an effective manner.
[Examples of Specific Measures]・Enhancing the Japanese language education environment is very important to ensuringthat foreign nationals, etc. acquire the Japanese language proficiency needed for daily life.
Accordingly, the government will provide opportunities for Japanese citizens to gain adeeper understanding of the importance of Japanese language education, by such meansas organizing Japanese language education conferences to share the latest information
and advanced examples of such education and also by holding symposiums as part ofvarious programs in Japanese language education in regional areas. [Described above]
・The government will put up a list of information on the website of the Agency for Cultural
Affairs, including contact details for the departments in charge of Japanese language
education at prefectures, designated cities, and core cities nationwide and details ofJapanese language classes in each area. [Described above]
・The government will gather content relating to Japanese language education, including
teaching materials, curricula, reports, and policy documents, and make them available tothe public through the government-operated cross-searchable NIHONGO Education
contents Web sharing System (NEWS). [Described above]
・The government will consider ensuring widespread awareness of information about
Japanese language education and the like among companies, etc., so that they provide
opportunities to learn Japanese to foreign nationals, etc. employed at their workplaces.
・To enable foreign nationals, etc. to access the information they require concerning
Japanese language education, the government will publish, as needed, information on the
JF website that will be of assistance to those engaging in Japanese language education
overseas. This information will include teaching materials developed with reference to
the CEFR; e-learning and other online content; materials, ideas, and other useful lesson
content for Japanese language teachers; the results of surveys concerning education
systems and the implementation status of Japanese and other foreign language educationin each country and concerning organizations providing Japanese language education;and information about Japanese language examinations.
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Chapter 3 Other Important Matters Concerning the Promotion of Japanese Language
Education
1 Promotion Frameworks(1) Council for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education
In accordance with Article 26 of the Japanese Language Education Promotion Act, thegovernment will establish the Council for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education,
to facilitate coordination between MEXT, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and otherrelevant administrative bodies, and to implement measures concerning the promotion ofJapanese language education in a comprehensive, integrated, and effective manner.
The Council for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education will undertake
coordination among the relevant administrative bodies; in doing so, it will listen to the viewsof experts in Japanese language education, those working in or receiving Japanese language
education, and other relevant parties at meetings of the Committee of Parties Involved in
Promoting Japanese Language Education established in accordance with Article 27 of theJapanese Language Education Promotion Act.
(2) Local government promotion frameworks
Local governments shall strive to strengthen partnerships with relevant organizations andstakeholders (such as organizations providing Japanese language education, companies,
local internationalization associations, and NPOs), and, taking into account the Basic Policy,
shall formulate a basic policy for comprehensively and effectively implementing measures
to promote Japanese Language Education tailored to local circumstances. In addition, theyshall strive to implement the necessary Japanese Language Education promotion measures
tailored to local circumstances, taking national measures into consideration. Moreover,
local governments may establish organizations with a council system pursuant to theprovisions of local ordinances, in order to study and deliberate on their basic policy andother important matters.
2 Development of Systems Concerning Organizations Providing Japanese Language
Education
Article 8 of the Japanese Language Education Promotion Act states that the government
must take the legislative, financial, and other measures required to implement measures topromote Japanese language education after deliberations concerning the development of asystem regarding those organizations providing Japanese language education (including
schools providing Japanese language education (schools as provided in Article 1 of the School
Education Act (Act No. 26 of 1947), specialized training colleges as provided in Article 124of the Act, and miscellaneous schools as provided in Article 134 (1) of the Act)) that have theproficiency required to maintain and improve the level of Japanese language education, taking
into account Article 2 of the Supplementary Provisions of the Japanese Language Education
21

Promotion Act. Accordingly, the government will take the necessary measures based on the
results of those deliberations.
3 Review of the Basic Policy
In accordance with Article 10 (6) of the Japanese Language Education Promotion Act, thegovernment will examine the Basic Policy every five years or so, taking into account changes
in the environment around Japanese language education and the implementation status ofJapanese language education measures, and will make changes to the Basic Policy if deemednecessary.
In reviewing the Basic Policy, the government will undertake coordination among therelevant administrative bodies regarding the draft Basic Policy via the Council for the
Promotion of Japanese Language Education, in accordance with Article 10 (7) of the Japanese
Language Education Promotion Act; in doing so, it will listen to the views of the Committeeof Parties Involved in Promoting Japanese Language Education.

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