Foreign students in need of Japanese language training up 3-fold in 20 yrs

TOKYO - The number of foreign national students attending public schools in need of Japanese language training has tripled over the past 20 years, a Kyodo News analysis of government data showed Sunday, posing a challenge to Japan in securing support staff.

The figure reached 57,718 in fiscal 2023, accounting for around 40 percent of all foreign students in public elementary, junior and senior high schools. The rise comes as the number of foreign nationals residing in Japan continues to grow.