Japan to Use Generative AI to Boost Language Support in Schools

Japan to Use Generative AI to Support Japanese Language Teaching for Foreign-Born Students

Date: 28 September 2025

Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) plans to promote generative AI and other digital tools to support Japanese language instruction for children with foreign backgrounds. The ministry will draft guidelines that help schools apply AI for Japanese and other subjects, addressing staff shortages in languages such as Portuguese, Mandarin, and Spanish.

Why this matters for schools

As of May 2023, about 69,000 students across elementary, junior high, high schools, and special needs schools required Japanese language instruction-the highest since tracking began in 1991. Around 10% received no support during or after school, signaling a service gap that AI-enabled tools aim to narrow.

What MEXT plans to deliver

• Guidelines to use generative AI for teaching Japanese and other subjects.
• A system that combines AI-based translation apps with online learning for consistent support regardless of student background.
• Clear steps to help schools enroll and integrate students arriving from abroad.

MEXT intends to include related costs in the FY2026 budget request submitted from April, with a goal to complete the guidelines in about a year. The ministry will also study effective collaboration among classroom teachers, Japanese language instructors, and mother-tongue support staff.

Funding and staffing

Starting in FY2025, MEXT plans to expand subsidies for local governments to recruit language instructors and support staff. Budgets will also back guidance programs that encourage school registration for foreign children who are currently not attending.

What school leaders can do now

• Audit current support: identify how many students need Japanese instruction, where gaps exist, and which languages are most common.
• Pilot translation and captioning tools: set standards for tool selection, privacy, and accessibility; test in a few classes before wider rollout.
• Plan staffing mix: outline roles for classroom teachers, Japanese specialists, and mother-tongue aides; define workflows and escalation paths.
• Develop onboarding steps: create multilingual enrollment materials and orientation modules for newly arrived students and families.
• Set metrics: track attendance, language progress, and subject mastery to evaluate impact and guide resource allocation.

Implementation notes

• Data protection: establish policies for student data, consent, and retention when using AI tools.
• Quality and bias checks: review translated content for accuracy and age appropriateness; maintain human oversight for key decisions.
• Interoperability: ensure AI apps work with existing LMS, devices, and network constraints.
• Professional development: offer short, practical training focused on classroom use cases and support workflows.

For official updates and policy documentation, monitor MEXT.

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