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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPAMESE GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN EDUCATION,SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1990 > PART2 Chapter8 5

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PART 2 Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture
Chapter 8 Internationalization of Education, Culture and Sports
5 Promotion of the Teaching of the Japanese Language to Foreigners


Along with an increase in the role of Japan in the international community and the expansion of Japanese activities for international exchange, there are an increasing number of foreigners who study the Japanese language in and out of Japan.

The number of foreigners studying Japanese in Japan was approximately 72,000in 1989. This number represents about four and a half times as many as ten years before. The number of foreigners studying Japanese in foreign countries was approximately 730,000 in 1988, representing about nine times as many as 14 years before.

The aims of studying the Japanese language have been diversified: they include the acquisition of Japanese skills, techniques and technologies, and employment in Japanese business firms, not limited to Japanese studies or studies in Japan.

Along with the growing demand for learning Japanese, there are an increasing number of Japanese language institutes in Japan. In order to help improve the quality of these Japanese language institutes, the Ministry asked a Consultative Committee to consider strategies for improving the quality of these institutes. In December 1988 the Committee worked out "National Standards for the Operation of Japanese Language Institutes." In May 1990 an "Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education" was created. The Association began to accredit Japanese language institutes in accordance with these Standards. It is also carrying out other various programs contributing to the qualitative improvement of Japanese language institutes.

With a view to helping improve the pre-service training of teachers of Japanese as a second language, as well as the quality of these teachers, the Ministry has been reinforcing university courses for the training of teachers of Japanese as a second language. Through the Japan International Education Association, the Ministry every year administers a nation-wide "Qualifying Examination for the Teaching of Japanese to Foreigners." It has also been promoting various measures for improving the methods of the teaching of Japanese as a second language and for promoting research and development regarding appropriate teaching materials. Further the Ministry every year administers a "Japanese Language Proficiency Test for Foreigners" in and out of Japan. It is also committed to the teaching of Japanese to returnees from a long stay in China, as well as Undo-Chinese refugees. During recent years more and more secondary school students overseas have shown an interest in learning Japanese. In 1990 the Government began a "Program for Regional and Educational Exchanges for Mutual Understanding" (abbreviated as REX Program) under which Japanese secondary school teachers are sent abroad to serve as Japanese language teachers at secondary schools overseas.


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