Tokyo: The Japanese government on Tuesday initiated the first meeting of a working group dedicated to developing a program aimed at helping foreign residents learn the Japanese language and understand local systems and rules. The initiative seeks to pilot the program by fiscal 2028.
According to Thai News Agency, the working group is tasked with examining the program's structure and learning content. The group is comprised of six members, led by Susumu Takahashi, chairman emeritus of Japan Research Institute Ltd. "We want to create an effective program," stated Hayato Suzuki, state minister at the Cabinet Office, during the meeting.
Midori Matsushima, special adviser to the prime minister, emphasized the importance of language proficiency for foreign residents, noting that a good understanding of the Japanese language would enable them to live and work in Japan smoothly over the medium to long term.
The Immigration Services Agency reported that the meeting covered various topics, including learning methods, evaluation metrics, and the integration of program participation into residency status screening. The discussion also addressed the roles of host companies that accept foreign workers and the necessity for cooperation with local governments.
The initiative comes in response to a growing number of issues arising between foreign and local residents due to rule violations and other factors. The government aims to establish a structured learning environment to support the social integration of foreign residents and reduce the burden on local governments.