Key facts
- Japan's new immigration program, launching April 2027, can accommodate only about 7,500 foreign trainees at Japanese-language schools.
- The scheme aims to help 150,000 workers annually improve their Japanese while employed.
- Less than 30% of surveyed Japanese language schools can offer the required courses.
- The new program replaces the Technical Intern Training Program.
- Applicants must complete 100+ hours of language classes before and during their 3-year program.
- A government working group is planning a trial program for foreign residents' language and cultural integration in fiscal 2028.
Japan's upcoming immigration program, designed to bring in 150,000 workers annually, faces a significant hurdle due to a projected shortage of Japanese language teaching capacity. The new scheme, set to launch in April 2027, will replace the long-standing Technical Intern Training Program.
Under the new framework, foreign workers who do not pass Japanese language proficiency tests will be required to complete at least 100 hours of language classes before starting their jobs and an additional 100 hours during their three-year program, with employers bearing the cost. However, a survey by the Immigration Services Agency revealed that less than 30% of approximately 900 Japanese language schools and other institutions are prepared or willing to offer these courses. The agency has urged schools to cooperate and ensure quality training opportunities.
To address broader integration needs, a government working group has begun planning a program for foreign residents to learn Japanese and understand local systems, with a trial expected in fiscal 2028. This initiative aims to facilitate smooth social integration and reduce issues arising from misunderstandings or rule violations, with discussions including learning methods, evaluation, and the role of host companies and local governments.