Introduction: The Rapid Increase in “Children Requiring Japanese Language Support”

As the number of foreign nationals living in Japan continues to grow, the educational challenges faced by their children are becoming increasingly prominent. According to recent MEXT data, approximately 69,000 students nationwide require Japanese language support—a figure roughly 1.9 times higher than a decade ago.

This figure represents more than just a statistic. It reflects the reality that each child is facing language barriers, cultural differences, and anxiety about their future.

As administrative scriveners (gyoseishoshi), we support foreign nationals at the initial stage of life in Japan through visa applications and residence status procedures. However, it is widely recognized that the key to realizing a truly inclusive society lies in addressing the challenges that come after entry—such as daily life, family matters, and children’s education.

In this article, based on a report from Yahoo! News regarding the current state of educational support for foreign children, we will provide an analytical perspective as administrative scriveners and offer insights for companies involved in employing foreign nationals.

1. The Importance of Initial Support: Yokohama City’s “Himawari” Initiative

The First Month After Arrival Is Critical

Yokohama City’s Japanese language support center “Himawari” specializes in providing “initial guidance” to children who have recently arrived in Japan. Approximately 20 elementary and junior high school students from countries such as China, Nepal, and the Philippines study Japanese here.

What makes this program distinctive is that it teaches not only language but also Japanese school culture, including cleaning duties and daily monitor responsibilities. For one month, children attend their regular school two days a week and Himawari three days a week.

What they acquire is practical communication skills necessary for daily school life—often referred to as “survival language.” This enables smoother communication with friends and teachers, facilitating easier adaptation to school life.

A Model Drawing Attention from Other Municipalities

Himawari accepts children eight times per year, and last year, the program supported up to 70 children at its peak. As a model for supporting newly arrived children through regional hubs, it has attracted significant attention from other municipalities.

This initiative clearly demonstrates how critical intensive support during the initial stage is. Rather than placing children directly into regular classrooms without language or cultural knowledge, providing a secure environment to build a foundation first—even for just one month—can dramatically influence their subsequent school experience.

2. Significant Staff Shortages on the Front Lines

Even Yokohama City Cannot Keep Up with Teacher Allocation

Yokohama City has established a more generous system than the national guideline of approximately one teacher per 18 students requiring Japanese language instruction. Yokohama provides one teacher per five children. Yet even so, schools report that staffing is insufficient.

At Yokohama Municipal Higashi Elementary School, approximately 40% of students are foreign nationals or have foreign roots, and about 60 students currently require Japanese language instruction. Principal Reiko Narita explains, “We are managing by adjusting allocations according to students’ Japanese proficiency levels, but it represents an ongoing operational challenge.”

She further points out the limitations of the national standard: “In our school, where many children arrive with almost no Japanese proficiency, the standard allocation is difficult to implement effectively.” Transfers concentrate especially in September, and she stresses, “We need staffing support that functions even during the most demanding periods.”

Challenges Beyond Teachers: Interpretation and Translation

As the number of children requiring Japanese language instruction increases, so does the need for interpretation and translation to help them understand lessons. However, personnel capable of handling multiple languages are limited, and the use of AI-powered translation apps is being considered.

That said, in educational settings, simple translation alone is insufficient. What is required are individuals who can understand cultural backgrounds and psychological states, and provide compassionate support.

3. MEXT Policy Direction and Future Challenges

Renewed Emphasis on the Importance of Initial Guidance

A MEXT expert panel highlighted the importance of “initial guidance,” including creating regional centers where children can learn basic Japanese and daily living habits. Expanding hubs like Yokohama’s Himawari nationwide is a key policy direction moving forward.

Urgent Need to Support Municipalities Lacking Know-How

On the other hand, municipalities that have had few foreign residents until now often lack the know-how to provide such support. How the national government will assist these municipalities remains a significant challenge.

Education Minister Matsumoto stated, “While supporting students who need Japanese language instruction, it is also important to ensure that the quality of education for Japanese students is not adversely affected.”

This is a crucial point. While it is essential to enhance support for foreign children, maintaining a balanced system that does not compromise the learning environment for Japanese children in the same classroom is equally important.

4. The Potential of a “Development Model”: Himeji Girls’ Academy

Comprehensive Support from Indonesia to Employment in Japan

Himeji Girls’ Academy, a private school in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, is pioneering a development model for foreign exchange students. Two students who enrolled from Indonesia in April 2024 were reunited after one year and ten months, showing remarkable progress in their Japanese proficiency and active engagement in academics and extracurricular activities.

The academy dispatches teachers to a junior high school in Indonesia to provide Japanese language education. Additionally, with support from the national and local governments, the school has developed a system that comprehensively supports exchange students throughout their three years of high school and even into employment in Japan.

Students with Dreams and Aspirations

Puteri Aleta, a first-cohort student currently in her second year of high school, is a key member of the dance club, checking choreography and leading her teammates.

Another student, Chelsea Kawang, has begun to develop a clear career vision, stating, “I want to work in finance in the future.”

When young people from abroad receive clear goals and appropriate support, they have the potential to grow significantly and become valuable contributors to Japanese society.

5. The Reality: High School Students Who Come to Japan “Due to Their Parents’ Circumstances” Tend to Face the Greatest Challenges

Some Arrive Without Clear Goals

However, not all children arrive in Japan with clear objectives like the exchange students at Himeji Girls’ Academy.

Professor Megumi Yuki of Gunma University, who researches learning support for foreign children, points out, “Students who come to Japan around high school age due to their parents’ circumstances tend to face the greatest challenges.”

Parents come to Japan for work, and children are enrolled in Japanese schools regardless of their own wishes. Unable to speak Japanese, struggling to follow lessons, and unable to make friends—in such circumstances, envisioning a future is extremely difficult.

Preventing a Cycle of Disadvantage

What is even more problematic is that when parents are engaged in low-wage labor, children often cannot envision their own careers.

If parents believe that “you can work without speaking Japanese” or “you can live without doing well in school,” children may internalize these values. As a result, children may also end up in low-wage labor and, in some cases, become dependent on welfare.

Professor Yuki emphasizes, “To prevent this cycle of disadvantage, career education is necessary alongside Japanese language education. It is crucial that children can imagine their own potential.”

6. What Companies Should Consider When Employing Foreign Nationals

Visa Acquisition Is Not the Goal

As administrative scriveners, we support visa applications and residence status procedures for foreign nationals every day. Inquiries from companies are frequent, and the demand to “hire talented foreign workers” is growing year by year.

However, obtaining a visa and starting work in Japan is merely the starting point. To ensure that individuals can live securely and work long-term in Japan, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive living environment.

For companies, these educational challenges directly impact employee retention and workplace stability. Family-related issues, particularly children’s education, are a major but often overlooked risk factor in foreign employee retention.

Support with the Entire Family in Mind

Particularly important is consideration for families.

Many foreign workers come to Japan with spouses and children. If children are of school age, Japanese language education and adaptation to school life become significant challenges.

Companies might consider the following types of support:

  • In-house Japanese language education support: Offering Japanese language classes that employees’ families can also attend
  • Collaboration with schools: Sharing information with the schools children attend, supporting participation in PTA activities
  • Life orientation: Providing detailed explanations of Japanese daily life customs, school systems, and healthcare systems
  • Career support: Taking interest not only in the employee but also in spousal employment support and children’s career education

Such initiatives may initially appear to be additional costs, but should be viewed as strategic investment. Creating an environment where employees can work with peace of mind leads to improved retention rates, sustained motivation, and overall productivity gains for the organization.

7. What We Can Do as Administrative Scriveners

Comprehensive Support for Residence Status Procedures

As administrative scriveners, we provide specialized support for the following residence status-related services:

  • Work visa applications: Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Skilled Labor, Specified Skilled Worker, etc.
  • Dependent visas: Procedures for spouses and children to live in Japan
  • Renewal and change of residence period: Visa renewals and change applications accompanying job changes
  • Permanent residence applications: Support for applications to live in Japan long-term

Advice with the Future in Mind

However, our goal is not simply to prepare and submit documents. Our role extends beyond documentation—we function as long-term partners supporting both legal compliance and life stability.

We consider it our mission to provide advice with “the future in mind,” so that foreign nationals can live, work, and enjoy stability with their families in Japan.

For example:

  • For those concerned about their children’s education, we provide information on regional Japanese language support services
  • For those whose spouses wish to work, we support obtaining permission to engage in activities outside their residence status
  • For those considering permanent residence in the future, we work together on long-term planning

We recognize that this “comprehensive approach” is what truly constitutes meaningful support in building a sustainable life in Japan.

8. What We Can Do Now to Realize an Inclusive Society

The Importance of a Long-Term Perspective

Moving forward, Japan will accept even more foreign workers. Particularly in regional cities and rural areas that have had few foreign residents, an increase in foreign workers is expected.

What is essential at this juncture is not stopping at short-term labor procurement, but supporting the next generation of children so they can thrive and coexist in Japanese society, with a long-term perspective.

Turning “Diversity” into Organizational Strength

In a Japan facing declining birthrates and an aging population, foreign workers are indispensable. However, rather than viewing them merely as “labor,” it is essential to respect each individual’s culture, values, and experiences, and to transform “diversity” into societal and organizational strength.

Companies, municipalities, schools, and professionals such as administrative scriveners must collaborate to create an environment where foreign nationals and their families can live with peace of mind. This is what will lead to the realization of a sustainable, inclusive society.

Conclusion: Let’s Start with What We Can Do

The growing reality of children requiring Japanese language support is not someone else’s problem. Behind every foreign worker employed by a company is a family. Only when children can learn and grow in a secure environment can parents work with stability and commitment.

As administrative scriveners, while we assist with the initial stage of visas and residence status, we also recognize the importance of supporting the challenges that follow—such as daily life, education, and career development.

For companies considering or already employing foreign workers, and for foreign nationals living in Japan:

If you have any concerns about visas, residence status, family life, or children’s education, please feel free to contact us.

Let us work together to build a better inclusive society—one that benefits individuals, families, and organizations alike.

Reference Article:
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/fff4f3bff1e958662a3912778e05d4d3cf797499

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