27th Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, CEO: Hirofumi Naramura), the provider of the online Japanese conversation service “gokigen japanese”, and Living in Peace (Tokyo, Representative Directors: Yiqun Gong, Shinzo Nakazato), a certified NPO which promotes the independent life of refugees residing in Japan, have entered into a business partnership to begin offering free online Japanese lessons for refugees.
With this initiative, we aim to support the refugees facing difficulties due to language barriers through the highly convenient method of online lessons.
■Difficulties Faced by Refugees in Japan
Refugees who have fled to Japan often face difficulties integrating with their communities and schools due to their inability to speak Japanese, leading to social isolation and disruptions in their daily lives. In the employment sector, many workplaces in Japan require a high level of Japanese proficiency. Consequently, even individuals with excellent skills are often rejected during the application process simply because they lack Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) certification, making it challenging for them to pursue their desired careers.
The initiative to offer free online Japanese lessons aims to address these difficulties faced by refugees in Japan regardless of their areas of residence.
■Details of the Partnership
・Content: Free online private lessons of beginner-level Japanese (JLPT N5/N4) once or twice a week.
・Duration: mid-May 2024 to August 31, 2024 (tentative).
・Number of Participants: 3 (tentative).
■About Certified NPO Living in Peace
Living in Peace is a certified NPO dedicated to addressing issues faced by refugees in Japan with the aim of “reducing poverty through equal opportunities”. Without any full-time staff, all members, including the directors, volunteer their time on weekday evenings and weekends while holding regular jobs.
In the area of refugee support, Living in Peace offers the “LIP-Learning” program, which provides employment support and Japanese language skill development to help each refugee live independently and vibrantly in Japanese society.
・Organization Name: Certified Nonprofit Organization Living in Peace
・Representative Directors: Shinzo Nakazato, Yiqun Gong
・Location: 5-1 Nihonbashi Kabutocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
・URL: https://www.living-in-peace.org/
・Registered on: April 13, 2009
■About 27th Co., Ltd.
27th offers an online Japanese conversation service “gokigen japanese” (https://gokigen.jp/) for foreigners interested in learning Japanese through their interest in Japanese culture. The primary users are those who live in or come from English-speaking countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. The lessons are conducted by Japanese tutors proficient in English. Users appreciate the lessons that offer combination of culture, vocabulary, and grammar. In addition to private lessons for individual users, the company also aims to meet wider needs by offering Japanese learning support for businesses as well.
・Company Name: 27th Corporation
・CEO: Hirofumi Naramura
・Location: 1-3-11-4F Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
・URL: https://27th.co.jp/
・Founded on: April 27, 2022