Tokyo:Japan is currently experiencing a shortage of Japanese language teachers for foreign workers, as the country prepares to implement a new system for accepting foreign workers next April, based on a recent government survey.

According to Thai News Agency, the Employment for Skill Development program will replace the existing Technical Intern Training program. This new initiative requires foreign nationals to either pass the A1 level or higher on Japanese proficiency tests or complete at least 100 hours of Japanese language classes before they can begin working in Japan.

The survey, conducted jointly by the Immigration Services Agency and the labor ministry, reached out to organizations supporting foreign workers and recipient companies. It aimed to assess their progress in securing Japanese language teachers. The survey covered 1,880 organizations listed by the Organization for Technical Intern Training and received valid responses from 348 organizations over three days through October 7.

Findings reveal that 35.9% of the respondents have not secured sufficient numbers of registered teachers and have no prospects of doing so. Only 14.7% reported having secured enough teachers, while 19% had prospects for securing them. The remaining 106 respondents indicated they were working on addressing the shortage.

The surveyed organizations plan to accept 17,247 foreign workers in the program's first year. This includes 13,502 individuals expected to pass the A1 level or higher on Japanese proficiency tests before arriving in Japan. Respondents expressed difficulty in finding registered Japanese language teachers and a lack of knowledge on where to find them or seek advice.

As of August, there were approximately 20,000 registered Japanese language teachers. An official from the Immigration Services Agency emphasized the need to raise awareness about the new system and committed to further efforts to secure the necessary teachers.