Pathways Japan implements the “Japanese Language School Pathways” program, which admits students into Japanese language schools so that young people whose future options have been taken away by conflict and human rights violations can build a path to a better future in Japan. Between March and May 2026, a total of 26 students from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine arrived in Japan. This year, in addition to the severe conditions in their home countries, the situation deteriorated across the Middle East and South Asia starting in late February, forcing more than half of the students to postpone their travel. Nevertheless, the students never gave up on their hope of studying in Japan and continued to wait for the opportunity to travel. To respond to their determination, we collaborated with relevant organizations, educational institutions, and volunteer support staff. Through many adjustments tailored to each individual’s circumstances, the students were able to arrive in Japan and take their first steps toward a new future.
Over 2,000 young people have applied to open up their the future
For the 2026 program, we received 2,056 applications from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. Even though the admission of refugees and displaced persons is shrinking globally, there are still so many young people striving to build a future for themselves through education. During the selection process, we evaluated applicants based on their ability to adapt to Japanese society, their motivation to learn Japanese, and their vision for the future, ultimately selecting 32 individuals. Following withdrawals due to family circumstances and health issues, 26 individuals ultimately arrived in Japan. This figure reflects both the large number of young people in need of opportunities and how limited those opportunities truly are.
*Click here for details on student applications
Support for Adapting to Japanese Society: Guidance That Begins Even Before Arrival
In this program, students spend two years studying at a Japanese language school while supporting themselves through part-time work, with the goal of advancing to higher education or finding employment. Building a life amidst linguistic and cultural differences is by no means easy. For this reason, Pathways Japan conducts orientations before students arrive in Japan and offers a four-day intensive orientation program after their arrival. During the orientation on their first day in Japan, current students and alumni participated as instructors and facilitators, offering concrete advice based on their own experiences. Hearing them speak about the possibilities that lie beyond overcoming challenges served as a great source of encouragement for the newly arrived students, supporting their resolve to “start our own journey from here.”
A Warm Welcome Despite the Distance: Students Share Their Hopes
At the Reception for new students and Celebration for graduates, students who had already arrived in Japan attended in person, while those who had not yet been able to come joined online. Each student introduced themselves and shared a message. The students who were still waiting to arrive in Japan expressed their strong determination through videos, stating that they “wanted to continue their studies” and “wanted to pave a path toward the future.” A representative of the students already in Japan also shared, in person at the venue, the challenges they faced in their home countries and their determination to pave a new path in Japan. Furthermore, the graduates shared their future plans and expressed their gratitude for the growth they had experienced over the past two years and for the people who had supported them. We believe this event provided all participants with a tangible sense that their support is bringing about real change.
Maintaining a pathway to Japan amid unstable circumstances in the Middle East and South Asia
Starting in mid-April, thanks to the cooperation of the relevant organizations, students whose travel had been delayed were able to proceed with their visa applications and travel preparations, and they have been arriving in Japan one after another. Having been in a state of uncertainty for an extended period, the students appeared tired upon their arrival in Japan, but they also showed signs of relief. Although they were unable to attend the group orientation, staff members conducted individual orientations to help them settle into life in Japan. In addition, the Japanese language schools hosting them made various accommodations to help the students catch up after their delayed arrival.
Students and working people volunteer to help new-arrival students settle into life in Japan
Although the arrival dates were spread out this year, increasing the workload for our organization, many student and working people volunteered as “Arrival Support Volunteers” to assist with airport transfers, housing moves, and administrative procedures at City Hall.
Thanks to this support, the students were able to start their lives in Japan with peace of mind. Furthermore, knowing that there are people supporting them beyond just the staff has been a great source of emotional comfort for the students.
The students we welcomed this academic year have begun new lives across Japan, in Miyagi, Chiba, Tokyo, Kyoto, Hyogo, Okayama, and Okinawa. In each of these regions, new connections are forming between young refugees and displaced persons and the wider community. Pathways Japan will continue to support the young people who took their first steps in Japan this spring as they pave their own futures. Furthermore, to open doors for the many other young people seeking educational opportunities, we will expand our initiatives in collaboration with educational institutions, businesses, government agencies, and our supporters.