Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs aims to significantly bolster Japanese language education in the Global South, according to the Asahi Shimbun, as Tokyo seeks to counter China's expanding soft power influence in developing regions.
The initiative represents a strategic shift in Japan's cultural diplomacy, moving beyond traditional focus areas in East Asia and North America toward Africa, Latin America, and South Asia—regions where Beijing has invested heavily in Confucius Institutes and educational partnerships.
While Japan maintains approximately 140 Japanese-language institutions abroad through the Japan Foundation, distribution has historically concentrated in neighboring countries and developed economies. The new strategy explicitly targets regions where Japanese presence remains limited but where Chinese institutions have proliferated.
Soft Power Competition
The timing reflects intensifying great power competition for influence in developing regions. China operates over 500 Confucius Institutes globally, providing free or subsidized language instruction, cultural programming, and academic exchanges. These institutions have faced criticism in Western countries as vehicles for political influence, but they continue expanding in the Global South.
Japan's approach differs in execution but shares strategic objectives: building long-term cultural affinity, training future elites who speak the language, and creating economic ties through education. Japanese-language proficiency opens pathways to study in , employment with firms, and participation in technical training programs.
