In recent years, the number of foreign residents in Japan’s regional and suburban areas has steadily increased, placing new demands on local governments and educational institutions. However, language support models in these areas remain significantly under-researched compared to those in urban centers. This study analyzes changes in the nationality composition of foreign population between 2015 and 2025 at a rural city in Japan, in relation to social factors such as politics, economy, public safety, and access to education. It also examines shifts in the characteristics of learners requiring Japanese language support, drawing on insights gained through service-learning activities conducted at a local junior college. The analysis utilizes quantitative and qualitative learner data from two student-led language support initiatives. The first program dispatches junior college students to public schools to assist children with foreign backgrounds in learning Japanese. The second is a community-based Japanese language class held in public halls, targeting a wider range of learners, including preschoolers, high school students, and their parents. Presenters will describe the profiles of learners with international roots and will document significant external changes that have happened in the past ten years, including the integration of technology in the classroom. The findings reveal a growing diversity among foreign learners, indicating the need for more flexible and sustainable support systems. Although this is a case study of a single municipality, the research offers valuable insights into the development of community-rooted language support models and contributes to broader discussions on inclusive education policy in Japan.　

Authors:
Akiko Kano, Sophia University Junior, Japan
Maria Lupas, Sophia University Junior, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Akiko Kano is currently a professor of Sophia University Junior College Division, Department of English Language, Japan.

Maria Lupas is currently an associate professor of Sophia University Junior College Division, Department of English Language, Japan.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Maria-Lupas
https://researchmap.jp/7000019406

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

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