Japanese language education programs for Filipino migrant workers: Issues and challenges for state and non-state actors

• Main Author: Velasco, Lorenzo Ma. E.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2024
• Subjects: Migrant labor > Philippines; Japanese language—Study and teaching; Non-state actors (International relations); Japanese Language Education Programs; Asian Studies
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdm_intlstud/44; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etdm_intlstud/article/1045/viewcontent/2024_Velasco_Japanese_Language_Education_Programs_for_Filipino_Migrant_Workers.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the roles of Philippine state and non-state actors engaged in the Japanese Language Education Programs (JLEP) for migrant workers, the issues and challenges they face and their impact on the implementation of bilateral agreements and programs with Japan. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents the theories of public, cultural and labor diplomacy as analytical frameworks. Language is considered a cultural asset that was integrated into bilateral agreements and programs as part of Japan’s public, cultural and labor diplomacy. It will identify the relevant Philippine state and non-state actors and study the collaboration between them and a Japanese state actor, the Japan Foundation Manila Office (JFMO) as well as the issues and challenges they face. Findings – This paper argues that the JLEP in the Philippines for Filipino migrant workers is driven by the needs of the economic and labor sectors while public and cultural diplomacy is secondary to these needs. To meet those needs, there is a joint collaborative effort between Japanese and Philippine state and non-state actors who are directly involved or operate in a consultative capacity. The goal of the Japanese government is to employ more Filipino migrant workers while the goals of Philippine state and non-state actors is to ensure that Filipino migrant workers have enough Japanese-language proficiency to enter Japan’s labor market. However, the implementation of the JLEP is impeded by issues and challenges faced by state and non-state actors involved such as low passing rates in Japanese licensure exams and language tests coupled with the deficiency of Japanese language skills acquired which hinder both the growth of the JLE in the Philippines for Filipino migrant workers and the ability of both governments to achieve their goals. Originality/Value - This paper sheds light on the issues and challenges facing the JLEP in the Philippines and the role of state and non-state actors in achieving the Japanese-language proficiency goals set out in the agreements and programs for the hiring of Filipino migrant workers to address the needs of the Japanese labor market. Further research may need to explore basic issues such as the common goals between the Japanese and Philippine state and non-state actors. Interesting questions regarding the JLEP for migrant workers may open more areas of research topics in understanding the intersection of public, cultural and labor diplomacy. At this stage, this study will serve as a start for more scholarship in this direction. Keywords: JLEP, collaboration, Filipino migrant workers, state actors, non-state actors