MEXT-Commissioned "Japanese Language Education for Children Training" Applications Now Open - Training Japanese Teachers to Support Children with Foreign Backgrounds

Metanoia NPO (Location: Adachi-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takuro Yamada) has begun accepting applications for the "Japanese Language Education Training for Children (Commonly known as: Children's Initial Training)" from June 28, 2026, as part of the "Dissemination Project for In-Service Japanese Language Teacher Training Programs," a project commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

This training program is aimed at novice Japanese language teachers involved in the education of children and students with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds (children with roots in foreign countries). It inherits the achievements of the project previously conducted by The Society for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language from fiscal years 2020 to 2023. Starting from fiscal year 2024, MEXT has taken charge of the project, and our organization has newly undertaken and is implementing it.

The training for fiscal year 2026 will be conducted online from August 3rd to January 31st of the following year, allowing participation from anywhere in Japan. The capacity is 108 participants, selected through a screening process (not on a first-come, first-served basis). The application deadline is July 12, 2026 (Sun).

[Training Overview]

Training Name: Japanese Language Education Training for Children (Children's Initial Training)

Commissioned by: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

Implementing Organization: Metanoia NPO

Training Period: August 3, 2026 (Mon) - January 31, 2027 (Sun)

Format: Online (Hybrid of on-demand viewing and synchronous interactive learning via Zoom)

Structure: 60 units (54 units for lectures/workshops, 6 units for practical training)

Target Audience: Novice Japanese language teachers (0-3 years of experience) for children and students (qualification required)

Capacity: 108 participants (selection process applies)

Participation Fee:

Details and Application Page: https://metanoia.or.jp/news/info/shonin_2026_entry.html

[Training Schooling and Practical Training Instructors (Titles Omitted)]

Hiromi Saito (Professor, Tokyo University of Education) Akane Kono (Japanese Language Education Director, Tsukuba International School) Nanae Takayanagi (Representative, Chikyukko Club 2000) Noriko Isurugi (Chief Supervisor, Children's Japanese Support Center, Kobe City Board of Education) Tomoko Imaizumi (Associate Professor, Yamagata University) Kuniko Ura (Chief, Japanese Language Guidance Center, Sakai Municipal Tonomachi Junior High School) Midori Karakizawa (Project Researcher, Part-time Lecturer, Gakushuin University) Seiko Kudo (Part-time Lecturer, Tokyo University of Education) Mariko Saya (Teacher, Kanagawa Prefectural Sagami Koyo-kan High School) Reiko Shiga (Professor, Musashino University) Tomoko Shimoyama (Lecturer, Sakai Municipal Mihara Junior High School) Satomi Usuri (Teacher in charge of Japanese Language Instruction, Fukuoka Municipal Jokō Junior High School) Minako Takahashi (Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, University of the Ryukyus) Eiko Tohra (Part-time Lecturer, Baiko Gakuin University) Kazuhiro Yonemoto (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Teacher Education, Tokyo University of Education)

[Application Qualifications]

Individuals who are "qualified in Japanese language education" and have 0-3 years of experience (novice) in teaching Japanese to children and students.

Individuals who have the motivation to contribute to the Japanese language education of children and students, currently or in the future.

[Application Deadline]

July 12, 2026 (Sun)

[Details and Application Page]

https://metanoia.or.jp/news/info/shonin_2026_entry.html

[Contact Information for this Matter]

Metanoia NPO (Contact: Yaguchi)

Website: https://metanoia.or.jp

Inquiries: https://metanoia.or.jp/contact.html