The Japan Foundation (JF) is engaged in providing Japanese TV programs to overseas broadcasters to introduce the appeal of Japan to people around the world. Over the past 40 years, it has provided more than 5,400 programs to a cumulative total of more than 170 countries and regions. This project is aimed towards countries and regions with limited access to Japanese content. It introduces a multifaceted portrayal of Japan through a variety of genres, including dramas, anime, variety shows and documentary programs.
*Total for fiscal years 1979-2021
*Total for fiscal years 1974-2020. All data are based on the follow-up survey conducted by JF’s Support Program for Translation and Publication on Japan in fiscal year 2021.
With the cooperation of domestic and overseas museums and art institutions, the Japan Foundation (JF) holds special exhibitions around the world to introduce Japanese art and culture. JF has organized 349 exhibitions in 87 countries and regions over the past 50 years. France has hosted the most exhibitions, followed by Germany, the U.S. and Italy.
*Total for fiscal years 1972-2021. Traveling exhibitions and international exhibitions (Venice Biennale, Yokohama Triennale, etc.) are not included.
Since its establishment, the Japan Foundation (JF) has worked to promote Japanese language education overseas through various programs. This includes dispatching Japanese language specialists overseas, providing grants to Japanese language education institutions in various countries, creating teaching materials and providing training for teachers. According to JF’s periodic “Survey on Japanese Language Education Abroad,” the global number of Japanese language learners is approximately 30 times that of the end of the 1970s, while the number of Japanese language teachers in the world is approximately 19 times that of the same time.
Additionally, the Japanese language learning platform “JF Japanese e-Learning Minato,” released in 2016, is utilized in 199 countries and regions worldwide, with a cumulative total of more than 310,000 registered users as of July 31, 2022.
*Based on “Survey Report on Japanese-Language Education Abroad” of 1974-2018. Surveys are conducted every three years.
*Total number of registered users from the release of “Minato” to the end of July 2022.
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), jointly administered by the Japan Foundation (JF) and the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services, is the world’s largest-scale Japanese language proficiency test for non-native speakers. It was first implemented in 1984 in 15 countries including Japan and since then the number of examinees has steadily increased. In 2019, more than 1.16 million people took the test in 87 countries and regions. Test results are also used as criteria for higher education and employment.
Since its establishment, the Japan Foundation (JF) has been implementing fellowship programs to invite scholars and researchers from abroad to conduct research on Japan. In total, more than 7,000 fellows have visited Japan to conduct research and study. Through these efforts, JF aims to promote Japanese studies overseas, form international networks of researchers and develop human resources who will contribute to future cultural exchange between Japan and countries abroad.
*Total for fiscal years 1972-2021 including those related to arts and culture, Japanese language education and intra-Asian cultural exchange.