May 20, 2020

The Japan Foundation, in its desire to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19, has since mid-March suspended many programs around the world that entail international travel or large gatherings of people. We recognize that the postponement or cancellation of diverse projects in the arts, culture, Japanese language education, Japan studies, intellectual exchange, and other fields imposes an enormous impact on the activities of those who engage in international exchange in Japan and other parts of the world. At the same time, we are extremely concerned that this situation may give rise to a cultural crisis in the form of a protracted disruption of international cultural exchange.

Accordingly, we have been implementing the special programs listed below so that the cultural ties that join Japan and the world can be sustained and further grown even during these challenging times. Going forward, we will continue monitoring the global situation and will take the actions needed to fulfill our mission of providing support and programs for international exchange.

The Japan Foundation

1. Online cultural presentations & dialogue

Please refer to the JF digital collection webpage.

• JF digital collection

2. Online support for Japanese language education

The e-learning programs listed below, developed and launched before the COVID-19 pandemic began, have been serving Japanese language students and educators as study resources that can be readily employed at a time when many activities have been restricted by the pandemic.

In addition, Japanese courses and Japanese language instructor training programs are being offered online by The Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai and several Japan Foundation offices outside Japan.

• JF Japanese e-Learning Minato
• Irodori Japanese for Life in Japan online study resources
• “KC Yom Yom” : Easy Stories in Japanese