2023 Volume 185 Pages 109-124
This study aims to identify the structure of the support system for foreign residents in city X, a depopulated region where foreign residents live in dispersed areas, and to examine the role of community-based Japanese language education. We carried out fieldwork and analyzed the data using the local governance framework. The result showed that support activities for Japanese language learning in depopulated areas have been functioning autonomously within the local governance system, and are not necessarily consistent with the current national policy for community-based Japanese language education. For the Japanese language education of immigrants, Japanese language learning support by the residents and the national system of Japanese language education must go hand in hand. The role of community-based Japanese language learning support is to integrate foreign residents into the local community through its diverse support activities including language support, in which various local personnel work together. It connects foreign residents to diverse resources inside and outside the community. Through those supportive activities, foreign residents will be taken into the communities. social network, and gain motivation for Japanese language learning that will support the formation of their life careers within this relationship.
