Distinction in travel journalism
Is independent travel journalism important to you?
Click here to keep it independent

1 Aug, 2013

Panel plans strategy for overseas Japanese language education | The Japan Times

A panel of experts discussing ways to increase the number of Japanese language learners overseas proposed Wednesday promoting “Cool Japan” pop culture and online services to provide more opportunities for speaking the language.

The panel stressed the importance of drawing young people to Japanese through popular culture, such as manga, anime, fashion, music and food. One tack, they said, is to develop more online language learning materials with cultural content.

At the same time, the country has to incentivize learners by cooperating with companies and universities, the panel said. An example might be to prioritize people highly proficient in Japanese in screening candidates for the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, or in hiring foreign grads by Japanese firms.

Read the rest: Panel plans strategy for overseas Japanese language education | The Japan Times.