[New Concept] Transitioning from 'Japanese Language School' to 'Japan School'. New service 'The Japan School' opening on April 1st to teach 'Japan itself'
One&Co Inc. will open 'The Japan School' on April 1, 2026, a new service that goes beyond traditional language schools to systematically teach foreign residents the social rules and culture of Japan, aiming to foster multicultural coexistence.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 11:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 23:42 (324h 12m after Collected)
One&Co Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yuki Kojima; hereinafter One&Co) has launched "The Japan School (hereinafter TJS)", a new service that goes beyond the framework of traditional language schools to teach "Japan itself" and cultivate the skills to live richly in Japanese society. The service commenced on April 1, 2026, at 4 locations in Tokyo (Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno, Kichijoji) and online.
## Background: Surging Foreign Residents and the Left-Behind Education of "Social Adaptation"
Currently, the number of foreigners living in Japan continues to break record highs. However, behind the scenes, "friction with local communities" such as garbage disposal, noise, and public manners has become a serious issue. Because they not only face language barriers but also lack an understanding of Japanese social rules and unspoken agreements, they often unintentionally clash with those around them, which in many cases leads to isolation and dropping out. While there have been many Japanese language schools teaching "reading and writing", services that systematically teach "how to behave correctly in Japanese society" have surprisingly been non-existent.
## Source of Development: Conviction Built from Facing Staff of 70 Nationalities
The idea for TJS was born from One&Co's real-life experience of hiring and managing diverse staff of over 70 nationalities since its founding. The reality faced on the frontline was that "regardless of high Japanese proficiency, it is difficult to truly thrive in Japan without understanding the societal premises (OS)." Pouring this vast frontline know-how into it, this new service was designed with the goal of creating a society where people with different cultural backgrounds can correctly understand Japanese social rules and values, and interact with each other richly without unreasonable strain or conflict.
## Learning Content: Two Integrated Curriculums to Master the OS of Japanese Society
TJS is not a place that simply aims for grammar mastery or exam success. Under the banner of "We don't just teach Japanese. We teach how Japan works.", it provides the following two curriculums as two wheels of a cart.
- Standard Class (Foundation Building)
A communication-specialized lesson that turns "knowing" into "speaking". It places emphasis on real-life output rather than the "textbook memorization" or "exam preparation" common in Japanese language schools. It cultivates the operational ability understood in actual situations and firm confidence in speaking Japanese without fear of grammatical mistakes.
- Discovery Japan (Social Adaptation Program)
A flagship program of TJS, an experiential and implementation-type elective class that systematizes methods for social participation in Japan. Going beyond textbooks, it deeply explores culture and life skills from multiple angles, starting with online courses, progressing to classroom workshops, and ending in practical application in the city. As indicated by the three lines in the logo, it consists of the following three pillars:
- Nihongo Hacks (Language Hacks): A class that goes beyond the wall of memorization to decipher the logic behind the language. Efficiently master grammar shortcuts omitted by textbooks, kanji structures, practical slang, etc.
- Cultural Pr
## Background: Surging Foreign Residents and the Left-Behind Education of "Social Adaptation"
Currently, the number of foreigners living in Japan continues to break record highs. However, behind the scenes, "friction with local communities" such as garbage disposal, noise, and public manners has become a serious issue. Because they not only face language barriers but also lack an understanding of Japanese social rules and unspoken agreements, they often unintentionally clash with those around them, which in many cases leads to isolation and dropping out. While there have been many Japanese language schools teaching "reading and writing", services that systematically teach "how to behave correctly in Japanese society" have surprisingly been non-existent.
## Source of Development: Conviction Built from Facing Staff of 70 Nationalities
The idea for TJS was born from One&Co's real-life experience of hiring and managing diverse staff of over 70 nationalities since its founding. The reality faced on the frontline was that "regardless of high Japanese proficiency, it is difficult to truly thrive in Japan without understanding the societal premises (OS)." Pouring this vast frontline know-how into it, this new service was designed with the goal of creating a society where people with different cultural backgrounds can correctly understand Japanese social rules and values, and interact with each other richly without unreasonable strain or conflict.
## Learning Content: Two Integrated Curriculums to Master the OS of Japanese Society
TJS is not a place that simply aims for grammar mastery or exam success. Under the banner of "We don't just teach Japanese. We teach how Japan works.", it provides the following two curriculums as two wheels of a cart.
- Standard Class (Foundation Building)
A communication-specialized lesson that turns "knowing" into "speaking". It places emphasis on real-life output rather than the "textbook memorization" or "exam preparation" common in Japanese language schools. It cultivates the operational ability understood in actual situations and firm confidence in speaking Japanese without fear of grammatical mistakes.
- Discovery Japan (Social Adaptation Program)
A flagship program of TJS, an experiential and implementation-type elective class that systematizes methods for social participation in Japan. Going beyond textbooks, it deeply explores culture and life skills from multiple angles, starting with online courses, progressing to classroom workshops, and ending in practical application in the city. As indicated by the three lines in the logo, it consists of the following three pillars:
- Nihongo Hacks (Language Hacks): A class that goes beyond the wall of memorization to decipher the logic behind the language. Efficiently master grammar shortcuts omitted by textbooks, kanji structures, practical slang, etc.
- Cultural Pr