Introduction

A new initiative is underway in Kumamoto Prefecture to support foreign residents across the entire region.

Following the arrival of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in Kumamoto, the foreign resident population has increased approximately 1.6 times in just five years, reaching 29,385 people (as of the end of December 2024).

While municipalities have been opening Japanese language classes to provide learning opportunities, the reality is that there are disparities in quality due to instructor shortages and differences in operational know-how.

In response, Kumamoto City has begun developing a region-wide framework to share the Japanese language education expertise it has accumulated with all municipalities across the prefecture.

This initiative offers valuable insights for businesses considering hiring foreign workers and for local communities accepting foreign talent.

In this article, I’ll examine the details of Kumamoto City’s initiative and explore what is needed to create “communities where foreign residents feel safe,” from my perspective as an administrative scrivener (gyoseishoshi) working in immigration support.

Kumamoto City’s Initiative: Raising Japanese Language Education Standards Across the Prefecture

Background of the Initiative

According to Ministry of Justice statistics, the foreign resident population in Kumamoto Prefecture reached 29,385 as of the end of December 2024—approximately 1.6 times the number from five years earlier.

The background to this rapid increase is TSMC’s expansion into Kikuyo Town, Kumamoto Prefecture. The concentration of semiconductor industry has brought foreign residents of various nationalities and occupations to Kumamoto, including engineers, their families, and employees of related companies.

However, if local support systems don’t keep pace with the increase in foreign residents, these residents may become isolated and friction may arise with local communities.

Japanese language education in particular is the most fundamental support for foreign residents to live, work, and integrate into local communities in Japan.

Yet many municipalities face challenges such as:

  • Insufficient personnel to operate Japanese language classes
  • Unstable quality due to reliance on volunteers
  • Lack of standardized teaching materials and curricula
  • Inability to flexibly respond to the needs of foreign residents

Details of Kumamoto City’s Regional Support

Since fiscal 2020, Kumamoto City has been promoting Japanese language education using national subsidy programs. The city has a track record of commissioning the Kumamoto International Foundation to open Japanese language classes in all wards and developing original teaching materials and curricula.

This April, the city was newly selected for a Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications model project and, in collaboration with Kumamoto Prefecture, began an initiative to share this expertise with all municipalities across the prefecture.

Specific measures include:

① Creating Municipal Profiles

Creating “municipal profiles” (shichoson karute) to understand the current situation and needs of foreign residents in each municipality.

Data on foreign residents’ nationalities, residence statuses (zairyu shikaku), Japanese language levels, and daily life challenges will be compiled to visualize the optimal form of support for each area.

② Building a Human Resource Bank

Building a human resource bank (jinzai bank) to register volunteers and coordinators who support Japanese language classes, creating a system that municipalities can utilize.

This will enable municipalities struggling with instructor shortages to secure personnel when needed.

③ Support for Establishing and Operating Japanese Language Classes

Kumamoto City will provide expertise and ongoing support to municipalities that want to establish Japanese language classes or improve the quality of existing ones.

Budget and National Support

A budget of 18 million yen has been allocated for this initiative, with the entire amount funded by the national government.

Positioned as a Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications model project, it may be expanded to other municipalities in the future.

What This Initiative Reveals About True “Acceptance of Foreign Residents”

A Visa Is Not the Goal—It’s the Starting Point

As an administrative scrivener handling residence status (zairyu shikaku) applications for foreign nationals, I often hear people say, “I’m so relieved the visa was approved.”

But I always think:
Getting a visa is not the goal—it’s the starting point.

What really matters is whether foreign residents can work with peace of mind, live comfortably, and integrate into the community after that.
That is the true meaning of “acceptance.”

Even if a residence status is legally approved:

  • They may not speak Japanese and become isolated at work
  • They may not understand daily life rules and encounter troubles
  • They may have no one to consult and face problems alone

Such situations are not uncommon for foreign residents.

And the consequences affect not only the foreign residents themselves, but also the businesses employing them and the local community.

Supporting “After Acceptance” Strengthens the Community

Particularly noteworthy in Kumamoto City’s initiative is the comment from a city official: “If the attractiveness of the entire prefecture increases, there will also be benefits for our city in terms of attracting excellent human resources.”

This is not just community service—it’s a clear strategy.

When foreign residents feel “I can live safely in this area,” a positive cycle emerges:

  • Excellent talent is more easily attracted
  • Retention rates increase, reducing hiring costs for businesses
  • The local economy is revitalized
  • Multicultural coexistence (tabunka kyosei) progresses, enhancing regional appeal

Conversely, in areas where “you can get a visa, but there’s no support after that,” a negative cycle occurs:

  • Foreign residents resign or change jobs early
  • Companies become reluctant to hire foreign workers
  • Foreign residents don’t settle in the area, and population decline continues

Inter-Municipal Cooperation Strengthens Local Areas

Another important point is the attitude of raising standards across the entire prefecture, rather than the mindset of “as long as our city is doing well.”

In Japan, where population decline is progressing, municipalities need not only to compete with each other but also to collaborate and enhance the overall attractiveness of the region.

Particularly in foreign resident support, region-wide cooperation beyond municipal boundaries is effective in areas such as:

  • Japanese language education
  • Life consultation
  • Medical care and welfare
  • Children’s education

Kumamoto City’s initiative can be considered a pioneering example.

What Businesses Considering Hiring Foreign Workers Should Know

The Presence of Japanese Language Education Directly Impacts Recruitment Capability

For businesses hiring foreign workers, “whether the community has an established Japanese language education environment” is an important element of recruitment strategy.

Foreign job seekers consider not only salary and working conditions but also:

  • Whether there is an environment for learning Japanese
  • Whether they can consult about daily life
  • Whether their families can live with peace of mind

Particularly highly skilled professionals (kodo jinzai) and Specified Skilled Workers (tokutei gino) choose their workplace from multiple options.

Having an environment where “you can learn Japanese while working with peace of mind in this area” is a major selling point.

Supporting as a Whole Community, Not Just Individual Companies

The reality is that providing Japanese language education solely by individual companies is a heavy burden both in terms of cost and operation.

However, if there are public Japanese language classes in the community and a system that companies can utilize, benefits emerge:

  • Reduced burden on companies
  • Foreign workers can continue learning
  • Connections with the community are created

Businesses considering hiring foreign workers should not only provide Japanese language education as a company benefit but also understand and utilize the community’s Japanese language education system.

The Same Challenges Exist in Hokkaido

Foreign Residents Are Increasing in Hokkaido Too, But Support Systems Are Still Insufficient

In Hokkaido, and particularly in the Niseko area where my office is located, foreign employees are increasing, mainly in tourism and hospitality industries.

Additionally, foreign investors and immigrants are increasing, and the internationalization of the region is progressing.

However, Japanese language education and life support systems are not yet sufficient.

Challenges include:

  • Irregular scheduling of Japanese language classes
  • Shortage of instructors
  • Difficulty in flexibly responding to foreign residents’ needs

A System to Support Foreign Residents as a Whole Community Is Needed

I feel that Hokkaido also needs a region-wide cooperation system like Kumamoto City’s.

For example:

  • Collaborating across municipal boundaries to operate Japanese language classes
  • Sharing information about volunteers and instructors
  • Companies, government, and support organizations cooperating to support foreign residents’ lives

Such initiatives could be considered.

If the area becomes a place where foreign residents can live with peace of mind:

  • Excellent talent will gather
  • Retention rates will increase
  • The local economy will be revitalized
  • Multicultural coexistence will progress

A positive cycle will emerge.

Conclusion: Not Just Systems, But Preparing Environments Where People Can Live

Kumamoto City’s initiative demonstrates the essence of accepting foreign residents.

It’s not “issue a visa and you’re done,” but “how do we support their lives afterward?”

Creating an environment where foreign residents can work with peace of mind, live comfortably, and integrate into the community.
That’s what matters most—for foreign residents, for communities, and for businesses.

As an administrative scrivener working in immigration support, I also consider visa acquisition to be merely the starting point.

What matters is whether foreign residents can realize their dreams, contribute to the community, and live happily beyond that point.
Facing that reality is the essence of our work.

For businesses considering hiring foreign workers, those involved in foreign resident support in local communities, and foreign residents living in Niseko or Hokkaido:

If you have any concerns about residence status (zairyu shikaku) or daily life, please feel free to consult with me anytime.

I will connect systems with reality and walk with you toward your goals.

Article URL: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/c3533497e4e54236e004ce3086e489cf4b8b2895

60分無料相談お申し込みフォーム 60-min. Free Consulting Request Form