Education Ministry to Seek Over ¥10 Billion in FY2027 Budget to Expand Japanese-Language "Pre-Classes" for Foreign Resident Children
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Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has decided to substantially expand Japanese-language education support for children of foreign residents. According to Yomiuri Shimbun Online, the ministry will request more than 10 billion yen in language-instruction-related expenses in its FY2027 budget request. The plan centers on promoting the establishment of "pre-classes" that give newly arrived children the initial instruction needed to join regular elementary and junior high school classes, and on building language-education center functions at the prefectural and major-city level to provide seamless support from childhood through adulthood.
The number of foreign residents in Japan reached a record roughly 4.13 million as of the end of 2025, and the number of public elementary and junior high school students requiring Japanese-language instruction exceeded 80,000 in fiscal 2025. The plan reportedly envisions a mechanism for the national government to help cover part of the costs for local governments.
Current status: The final budget figure and how funds will be allocated among local governments remain unclear as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Editorial Perspective
Responses at the municipal level play a role in bridging the gap between national policy design and residents' lived experience. Whether a move like this spreads to other municipalities will be worth watching going forward. In particular, whether information-sharing between municipalities facing similar challenges leads to wider adoption of successful approaches may shape how effective this policy area becomes overall.