The Activities of the Japan Foundation

Language: Japanese-Language Education Overseas
Establishing Environments for Japanese-Language Education Overseas

To ensure that high-quality and stable Japanese-language education is widely implemented overseas, the Japan Foundation collaborated with local government agencies and principal Japanese-language education institutions taking into consideration the circumstances of each country and region and mainly undertook the following programs to promote the establishment of Japanese-language education environments in each country and region.

Dispatch of Japanese-Language Specialists

The Japan Foundation dispatches Japanese-Language Specialists and Japanese-Language Assistants to the Ministries of Education in various countries, the overseas offices of the Japan Foundation and educational institutions (41 countries, 126 posts). We also provide training to local Japanese-language teachers, give advice on preparing teaching materials and Japanese-language teaching methods, support the formation of networks among teachers and visit educational institutions to offer guidance. In addition, we send 12 young Japanese-language teachers (J-LEAP) to elementary, junior high and high schools in the United States.

Participants at the Japanese-Language Teacher Training Course at the Japan Foundation, Cairo and a Japanese-Language Senior Specialist

Assistance for Activities of Japanese-Language Education Organizations, Support for Network Formation

We provide assistance to JF Nihongo Network (Sakura Network) Members* and Japanese-language educational organizations in each region of the world for activities that help spread the Japanese language. This assistance includes the operation of Japanese-language courses, purchase of teaching materials and holding of speech contests and conferences.

* Sakura Network Members are core Japanese-language educational institutions/organizations located in each country. As of March 31, 2020, the membership included 292 institutions in 93 countries/regions.

"First Conference of Japanese-Language Education in Africa" held in Ethiopia

Training Programs for Japanese-Language Teachers and Learners in Each Country

We invited Japanese-language teachers and learners from overseas to the Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Urawa and the Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai for training to enhance the skills of those who will handle Japanese-language education overseas.

Japanese-Language Program for Sakura Network Member Institutions held at the Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai

Pre-Arrival Japanese-Language Training Based on EPAs/Special Program to Strengthen Teacher Training

The Japan Foundation implemented preparatory pre-arrival Japanese-language training for 662 nurses and certified care worker candidates based on bilateral Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between Japan and Indonesia and the Philippines, respectively. In addition, training programs were implemented in India, Vietnam and Myanmar for the purpose of developing new Japanese-language teachers and strengthening the teaching skills of current teachers. A total of 1,147 persons from these three countries participated in the training.

Myanmar Japanese-Language Teacher Training Course opening ceremony

Encouraging Policy Decision Makers and Educators in Each Country and Region (Advocacy Invitations)

In FY2019, the Japan Foundation invited Australian and Thai educational administration officials and principals of primary and secondary education institutions to Japan with the aim of expanding and raising the quality of Japanese-language education. Participants observed Japanese-language education, culture and social conditions and exchanged opinions with persons involved in Japanese-language education.

Australian school principals visit the Japan Foundation headquarters

GEN-J Japanese-Language Supporters

Under the framework of the Grassroots Exchange Network-Japan (GEN-J) Program, which is scheduled to be implemented for two years from 2018 for the purpose of strengthening collaboration between local communities and Japanese companies in the United States, seven Japanese-language Education Supporters implemented an exchange program using the Japanese language in the U.S. South and Midwest.

A GEN-J Japanese-language Education Supporter participating in JAPAN FEST 2019 in Atlanta