18.1.08

Japanese ability required for long-term residents

"Japan is considering adding Japanese language requirement for foreign nationals seeking entry visas for long-term residency and when renewing their visas, Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said on Tuesday. Komura cited reasons such as the need for foreigners to be able to speak Japanese to fit into the Japanese society. While he gave no further explanation, the envisioned measure is believed to be aimed at eradicating illegal residency and likely part of antiterrorism policies."

"For foreign people living in Japan to be able to speak Japanese is not only important for improving their own quality of life, but also necessary for the Japanese society as a whole," Komura told a news conference.
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I say bring it on! :) haha... I think it is wrong for anyone to live long-term in country and not try and learn that countries language. Learning the language can only benefit you in the long run.

But I have questions... such as what kind of test will they introduce? If it is anything like the JLPT, why bother?! The JLPT is not a efficient way to judge a person's level of Japanese as it is multiple choice and only evaluates the persons understanding of Japanese. Understanding a language and using it are 2 completely different things. How much Japanese ability is required? How high or low are the governments expectations? Will they provide lessons or support for those not up to the correct standard or will they just chuck them out the country?

Also... I feel that no matter how perfect a gaijin's Japanese may be, they will always be thought of and treated as a gaijin, an outsider. If the Japanese society itself does not open up more (and I admit things are getting better, if at a snails pace) it will feel like a one-sided thing... the gaijin works hard and learns Japanese, only for Japanese companies to say s/he cant work there because they need a Japanese person...
When I speak in Japanese to a stranger in Japan, the most common reaction is for them to reply to me in English. Another reaction high up on the list is for them to shake their head, say "No English" and run away. But.. I was speaking Japanese...

Whats the point?

Working visa's are the main target for this new policy, so I'm eager to see how this turns out...

OK, rant over now...

(afterthought... Does this include future Japanese National Football Team Coaches...?! ;P)

2 件のコメント:

匿名 さんのコメント...

日本語で書くわ。

カレンさんみたいな人をターゲットにしてないと思う。
この問題は、東京ではあんまり見ないけど、大手の製造業の工場がある県にはブラジル人や中国人の出稼ぎ労働者達がいるでしょ?彼等は人数が多いからコミュニティを作ってしまって、長期滞在(場合によっては家族を持ってしまってる)してるけど、日本語を使わなくても生きていけちゃう。結局、彼等の子供が困る。

後ね、もう一つはオレも外国人の友達と話す時、「こんなに難しい日本語を本当にこの人解ってるのかな?」って最初は思ってしまって、つい英語で話したり、日本語を英語の文法の順番にカスタマイズして話したりしてた。台湾人の女の子に「Koji、日本語下手ですね。」って言われたよ。

いずれにせよ、それが実施されても心配ない。カレンさんなら絶対パス出来るでしょ。

karekora さんのコメント...

そうですね。事情を理解できます。イギリスもそうだと思います。私は高校に行ったとき、英語が分からない子供が4人いました。子供の両親も英語ができなかったそうです。先生達にとって、困りましたでしょう。

もし、このテストが実施されれば、ビザも取れれば、これはもう1つの合格しなきゃいけないテストなので、ちょっと緊張・・ テストが苦手ですから。T_T
でも、日本に住みたいなので、日本語も一生懸命頑張りたいです! だから、できるだけ、私に普通な日本語を使ってください! :D ありがとう★