Japan Uses Tech to Support Foreign Students’ Education

Educators in Japan are increasingly using digital tools to support the growing number of foreign children learning Japanese. The Fukuoka Municipal Board of Education is piloting an online hub system connecting schools to address a shortage of specialized instructors. This allows multiple schools to share Japanese language instruction via screen, reducing disparities in educational opportunities.

Additionally, tablet-based apps like Surala Nihongo are helping students learn at their own pace with personalized AI-driven questions and multimedia lessons. The E-Tra Note system translates school communications into multiple languages, bridging the gap between schools and non-Japanese speaking parents in 160 schools nationwide.

These technologies aim to supplement traditional teaching methods, not replace them, and the Japanese government plans to issue guidelines on effective ICT use for foreign language learners. The continued expansion of these digital tools is seen as crucial for ensuring equal access to education for all children in Japan.