In Japan today, the number of foreign residents is increasing at an unprecedented rate. According to a report by the Nikkei in March 2024, the number of foreigners living in Japan is 1.5 times higher than previously estimated, with projections suggesting that by 2050, foreigners could constitute 10% of the population. As Japan approaches a truly multicultural society, it is crucial to explore effective interventions for university students—particularly those who are not specializing in multicultural studies—before they enter the workforce. The question arises of whether a single or a few sessions in non-international relations courses can be effective and how the outcomes of such initiatives can be evaluated. This presentation investigates the effectiveness of these interventions in addressing the aforementioned research questions. It will report on initiatives undertaken in junior college courses during the 2023 and 2024 academic years, focusing on two key approaches: “Easy Japanese” (simplified Japanese designed for non-native speakers) and “3rd Person Response” (Ostheider, 2005; a strategy where the speaker addresses a third party in the presence of the interlocutor, based on extra-linguistic factors). Building upon the initial year’s findings, the second year incorporated guest speaker sessions and innovative role-playing activities. The presentation will detail the outcomes of these enhancements and facilitate discussions on interpreting student survey data and refining the program’s effectiveness. Participants will be encouraged to contribute insights and explore additional improvement strategies.

Authors:
Misa Otsuka, Jissen Women's Junior College, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Professor MISA OTSUKA is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at Jissen Women's Junior College in Japan

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