Japan plans expanded Japanese-language programs for newly arrived foreign children

An education-ministerial panel released a June report urging the Japanese government to take a leading role in standardising beginner Japanese language programmes for children newly arrived from abroad. Over the past decade, the number of students needing language support has roughly doubled, reaching a record 84,759 as of May 2025, many of whom are foreign nationals. The report calls for model "pre-class" curricula and clear teaching guidelines, recommending the use of digital technology such as generative AI while ensuring simplicity for teachers.

Yokohama’s Himawari centre in Naka Ward, opened in 2017, runs a 12-day, three-sessions-per-week programme that also introduces school routines like classroom cleaning. Officials hope the initiative will help foreign children integrate culturally and academically, and also promote multilingual information from municipalities and the Justice Ministry for higher-education and employment pathways.