Fundamental research on Japanese language education and career path connectivity in ASEAN countries

Although Japan is a major powerhouse, it is experiencing issues with a low birth rate and ageing population. The impact of these issues on the workforce could be significant. There are other ASEAN countries that are still considered developing nations and there is potential that Japan could bolster its workforce by employing students and workers from these countries. For this to be feasible, these individuals would need to be good Japanese language speakers. Associate Professor Tatsuya Niimi and his team at the Faculty of Economics, Nagoya Gakuin University, Japan, are conducting fundamental research on Japanese language education and career path connectivity in ASEAN countries. The researchers are seeking to understand how to improve teaching programmes that are geared towards resolving the shortage of local higher educated human resources for Japanese firms, especially small-to-medium enterprises. They want to establish exactly how Japanese language teachers can ensure that their lessons are adequate and what Japanese firms require of their employees in order to make language students an adequate fit. The research involves using computing technology to conduct remote interviews, web questionnaires and analyses. It will ascertain the requirements of Japanese business and then use this information to inform how students in ASEAN countries learn the Japanese language.