Community "Nihongo Kyoshitsu" Activities Report, vol.14
The regional Japanese language education coordinators of the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation "TSUNAGARI" are visiting Japanese classes in Tokyo and introducing them in the Community "Nihongo Kyoshitsu" Activities Report.
In our 14th report, we are introducing the Higashikurume Japanese Class.
About Higashikurume City
Higashikurume City is located in the northern Kitatama area of Tokyo and borders Niiza City in Saitama Prefecture. Higashikurume Station, a transportation hub, is about 20 minutes from Ikebukuro Station via the Seibu Ikebukuro Line (express).
Since you can also take a bus from Higashikurume Station to Musashi-Koganei Station on the JR Chuo Line, many residents use Musashi-Koganei Station on a daily basis.
Higashikurume City is also famous for its beautiful views of Mount Fuji. We’ve heard that the winter view of Mount Fuji from "Maronie Fujimi-dori" in front of the station is particularly magnificent.
Population (as of July 1, 2025) 116,307
Foreign population: 3,046
Higashikurume Japanese Class
The Higashikurume Japanese Class is a Japanese language classroom that has been running since October 1998.
It is held every Tuesday from 7:00 PM for one and a half hours in the Citizens' Plaza meeting room on the first floor of Higashikurume City Hall. (As of July 2025)
They provide support based on one-on-one learning, with one supporter assigned to each learner.
The teaching materials we use are selected together by learners and supporters from the many materials owned by the classroom, and activities are conducted according to each learner's preferences.
Perfect attendance award ceremony for learners who didn't miss a single session for three months
(Mr. Yamamoto, the representative, is on the far left.)
For creating a better classroom environment
Mr. Yamamoto, the representative, actively participates in training for Japanese language learning supporters and strives to create a better classroom environment.
Last year, Mr. Yamamoto attended the "Reiwa 6th Year Specialized Training on Regional Japanese Language Education - Considering the Possibilities of Japanese Language Classrooms in New Social Movements" hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation "TSUNAGARI".
Through Ms. Shimada Kazuko's lecture at this training, he learned about "new trends in regional Japanese language education" and wanted other supporters to hear about it as well, so he decided to host training for supporters himself this year.
Hosting such training for supporters is the first attempt of its kind for the Higashikurume Japanese Class.
Mr. Yamamoto said he approached Ms. Shimada with little hope, but she graciously accepted and they managed to organize the event.
He reached out to volunteer Japanese language classrooms in surrounding areas, wanting to share the latest trends in regional Japanese language education with as many supporters as possible.
This training truly represents the fruition of Mr. Yamamoto's initiative and action.
Recruiting Supporters
The Higashikurume Japanese Class is experiencing a shortage of supporters due to an increase in people wanting to learn.
Higashikurume Japanese Class's website: https://nihongo-class.sakura.ne.jp/recruit.htm
Thoughts on our visit...
On the day we visited for our interview, there happened to be a learner celebrating their birthday that day, and they brought candy to share with everyone in the classroom.
I've heard that in Western countries, there's a concept that on your birthday, you yourself arrange to be celebrated by those around you.
I felt this was a scene typical of a Japanese language classroom where people from various backgrounds gather.
Although it's a classroom with many people, it had a very homely atmosphere and was a comfortable Japanese language classroom.
Additionally, regarding the realization of this year's training with Professor Shimada Kazuko, Mr. Yamamoto received cooperation from members of the Higashikurume International Friendship Club, with whom he attended training together last year.
We feel very honored that connections were born from our foundation's training.
We hope that even more connections will continue to grow from the training born of Mr. Yamamoto's initiative!
by AS