Most Japanese language education in Japan is designed for international students preparing for academic study, which means there are limited opportunities for foreign employees to gain the practical communication skills needed in business. With labor shortages continuing, METI aims to bridge this gap by developing industry‑specific teaching materials that cover technical vocabulary, common expressions, and business practices.
A working group of language experts, industry associations, and companies employing foreign talent will be established in April. Through interviews and field research, they will design materials to be used in language schools and corporate training programs. METI will provide financial support of about 1.7 billion yen.
In fiscal year 2026, two industries will be selected for trial implementation. These sectors will be chosen where specialized language is essential and where the gap between company expectations and foreign professionals’ Japanese ability is particularly wide. The effectiveness of the materials will be evaluated, and from fiscal year 2027 onward, expansion to other industries is planned.
As of June 2025, about 490,000 foreign professionals were working in Japan under the “Highly Skilled Professional” and “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa categories. Many are employed in manufacturing, wholesale and retail, and hospitality. Even those who pass the JLPT N2 level often struggle in real business situations, highlighting the need for training that goes beyond academic Japanese.
The Japanese government sees highly skilled foreign professionals as essential for driving innovation and improving labor market efficiency. Strengthening business‑focused Japanese language education is therefore a key step in helping them succeed and contribute more fully to Japan’s economy.
(Source: Nikkei, March 17, 2026)
Global University in Japan view:
International students who study at Japanese universities are undoubtedly valuable assets for Japanese companies. If you plan to study in Japan and hope to work here in the future, learning Japanese during your university years will give you a powerful advantage.
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