TOKYO - Japan’s education ministry plans to launch a pilot programme in fiscal 2027 to provide basic Japanese-language instruction for children of foreign nationals attending schools across the country.
The initiative is aimed at helping students acquire the language skills needed for school life and classroom learning while supporting their integration into the education system.
The ministry also intends to use the programme to develop guidelines on effective Japanese-language instruction and create teaching materials for local governments.
The move comes amid a sharp increase in the number of foreign children requiring language support in Japanese schools.
According to ministry data, the number of public school students needing specialised Japanese-language instruction reached a record 84,759 in fiscal 2025, which ended in March.
The figure has doubled over the past nine years.
The category includes students who face difficulties communicating effectively in everyday Japanese.
Despite growing demand, around 10 per cent of eligible students were unable to receive sufficient language support due to teacher shortages and other resource constraints.
Several municipalities with large foreign populations have already introduced Japanese-language programmes.
However, the structure, duration and teaching methods of these programmes vary significantly between local authorities.
Through the pilot project, the ministry hopes to identify best practices and establish a more consistent approach to language education nationwide.
Multiple local governments will be selected to participate in the initiative.
In urban areas with larger numbers of foreign students, language classes may be conducted at designated base schools or public facilities where students from different schools can receive instruction together.
In rural areas, where student numbers may be lower and distances greater, lessons could be delivered through online learning platforms.
The findings from the programme will be used to formulate national guidelines and improve educational support for foreign children across Japan.
