Japanese classes to count toward high school graduation

Change takes effect in fiscal 2023 to better accommodate non-native speakers

Mar 25 (Nikkei) - Foreign high school students across Japan will be able to count Japanese language classes toward their graduation requirements starting in fiscal 2023, as the country works to make its education system more accessible to non-native speakers.

The Education Ministry will update relevant regulations this month so that specialized language classes can count toward up to around 30% of credits needed for graduation. Students can receive the classes at their own schools or at other institutions.

Japanese high schools currently have the ability to offer language classes if they choose. But one-on-one tutoring sessions do not count toward school credit, and often are only available as an after-school activity. The change is designed to encourage more schools to offer Japanese language classes and to adopt a more flexible approach to teaching non-native students.

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