On June 9, 2026, a landmark development emerged in Japan’s foreign policy landscape. The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) submitted a formal proposal to Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, calling for mandatory education for children of foreign nationals residing in Japan. This proposal holds profound implications for immigration practitioners like us—administrative scriveners (gyoseishoshi) who handle visa and residency applications—as well as for foreign residents and the companies that employ them.

In this article, we examine the background, content, and future outlook of this proposal from the perspective of an immigration professional.

1. Background: Why Mandate Education for Foreign Children Now?

The Schooling Gap for Foreign Children in Japan

Currently, children with foreign nationality living in Japan are not subject to compulsory education. While Japanese children are guaranteed compulsory education under the Constitution and relevant laws, foreign children have the “right” to attend school but not the “obligation.” Consequently, enrollment is left to parental discretion.

This creates several challenges:

  • Language barriers: Limited Japanese proficiency makes it difficult for children to adapt to school.
  • Economic hardship: Costs for school supplies, meals, and materials can be prohibitive.
  • Lack of information: Many parents are unaware of enrollment procedures or available support.
  • Cultural differences: In some home countries, compulsory education norms differ significantly.

According to surveys by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), there are thousands of foreign children nationwide whose school enrollment status cannot be confirmed. Without education, these children grow up with limited Japanese language ability, making stable employment nearly impossible. This is not only a personal tragedy but also a societal loss.

Challenges Faced by Employers

Foreign workers have become indispensable across many industries—manufacturing, construction, nursing care, food service, and more. However, when employees’ children lack access to education, several problems arise:

  • Increased anxiety for parents, leading to higher turnover
  • Family instability, affecting work performance
  • Social isolation, hindering community integration

JCCI Committee Chairman Kuniharu Nakamura emphasized, “Essential industries cannot operate without the cooperation of foreign workers.” This statement reflects the reality on the ground: foreign talent is no longer optional—it is essential.

2. The JCCI Proposal: Three Key Pillars

The proposal is built on three main pillars:

① Mandatory Education for Foreign Children

By imposing the same compulsory education obligations on foreign children as on Japanese children, the proposal aims to ensure equal educational opportunities. This would institutionalize Japanese language instruction and learning support, strengthening assistance frameworks within schools.

② Comprehensive Statistical Infrastructure on Foreign Residents

Currently, data on foreign residents is fragmented across multiple government agencies, making it difficult to see the full picture. Centralized data on residency status, employment, family composition, and school enrollment would enable more effective policymaking.

③ Establishment of a Government “Command Center” for Foreign Policy

By creating a coordinating body to oversee foreign policy across agencies—including the Immigration Services Agency, MEXT, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry—the proposal seeks to eliminate bureaucratic silos and enable swift, coherent policy implementation.

3. Chief Cabinet Secretary’s Response: A Positive Signal

Upon receiving the proposal, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara reportedly said, “I understand well. We must properly manage data and other matters.”

The proposal is expected to be reflected in the government’s annual “Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform” (commonly known as the “Honebuto” policy), with concrete institutional design to follow.

4. Significance for Foreign Residents: Building a Society Where Families Can Thrive

Protecting Children’s Futures

Education is the most fundamental right that opens doors to a child’s future. By acquiring Japanese language skills, making friends at school, and learning societal norms, children can pursue stable careers and become active members of society.

Parental Peace of Mind and Long-Term Settlement

For parents, nothing is more important than knowing their children can attend school and receive a quality education. When the educational environment is secure, parents can work with confidence, and the family’s foundation in Japan becomes stable.

5. Significance for Employers: The Key to Talent Retention

Boosting Employee Satisfaction

For foreign employees to remain in Japan long-term, it is essential that not only they but also their families feel secure. A stable educational environment for children translates into higher employee satisfaction and lower turnover rates.

Concrete Support Measures Companies Can Provide

  • Assistance with school enrollment procedures (guidance to municipal offices)
  • Information on Japanese language classes
  • Subsidies for school supplies
  • Establishment of education consultation desks

Such initiatives enhance corporate brand value and provide a competitive edge in attracting top foreign talent.

6. The Role of Immigration Practitioners: Bridging Voices and Policy

As administrative scriveners, we hear firsthand the concerns of foreign residents through daily work on visa and residency applications:

  • “I want to enroll my child in school, but I don’t know where to ask for help.”
  • “I can’t speak Japanese well, so communication with the school is difficult.”
  • “My residency status is unstable, and I’m worried about my child’s future.”

Conveying these voices to government agencies and employers—and advocating for systemic improvements and enhanced support—is a vital part of our role.

Specific Support We Provide

  • Assistance with obtaining and renewing appropriate residency statuses
  • Application support for dependent visas, long-term resident visas, and more
  • Accompaniment to educational institutions and municipal offices; interpreter coordination
  • General life consultation

7. Future Outlook: Toward a Society of Coexistence

If this proposal is realized, we can expect the following changes:

✅ Equal educational opportunities for all children
✅ Peace of mind for foreign families living in Japan
✅ Stable talent acquisition for companies
✅ Enhanced community integration
✅ Greater sustainability for Japan’s economy and society as a whole

Of course, institutionalization will take time. Challenges remain: securing funding, building capacity in schools, expanding language support, and more. However, this proposal represents a major step toward Japan becoming a truly inclusive society.

8. Conclusion: What We Can Do

Mandatory education for foreign children is not merely a policy change. It is about building the foundation for a society where diversity is embraced and everyone can live with dignity and security.

To Foreign Residents:
If you encounter difficulties with your child’s education, please reach out to your local board of education or international exchange association. And if you have concerns about residency status or daily life, we are here to help.

To Employers and HR Managers:
Please take a moment to confirm whether your employees’ children are enrolled in school and whether they need support. Employee security leads to company growth.

As Immigration Practitioners:
We remain committed to listening to voices on the ground and providing full support so that foreign residents can live and work in Japan with confidence.

Creating a society of coexistence cannot be achieved by policy alone. It requires the understanding and action of each and every one of us.

▼ Original article (Japanese):
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/8a1464afe8280ad5451a432e9ccb0b95d53338e7

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