Press Releases

1. On Monday, May 13, the completion ceremony of the Japanese Language Programs for Foreign Service Officers and Public Officials, which are conducted jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Foundation, will be held inside the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2. A total of 39 people, comprising 32 foreign service officers and seven public officials from various countries, have taken part in the courses this time. Beginning on September 19, 2012, they have each been receiving eight months of training covering the Japanese language and the culture and society of Japan at the Japan Foundation Japanese Language Institute, Kansai, which is scheduled to finish on Friday, May 17, 2013.
3. After they return to their home countries, the participants in these courses are expected to be engaged in Japan-related affairs and to function as Japan specialists.
4. At the ceremony, Mr. Shunichi Suzuki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs will deliver a congratulatory address, and Mr. Masayuki Shibata, Director-General for Cultural Affairs will present the certificates. In addition, representatives of the trainees are scheduled to make a speech in Japanese, using the skills that they have developed through the eight-month course.

[Reference]
Japanese Language Programs for Foreign Service Officers was started in FY 1981, and up to and including the present 32nd course it has been completed by a total of approximately 690 officers. Since FY 1997, the scope has been widened to include a course for public officials in addition to foreign service officers, and as of the most recent 16th course this course has been completed by approximately 125 officers.