Dentsu Inc. Launches Industry-Academia Collaboration: "Easy Japanese Tourism Research Group"

Dentsu Inc. Launches Industry-Academia Collaboration "Easy Japanese Tourism Research Group"

― Welcoming Foreign Tourists Who Want to Speak Japanese with "Easy Japanese" ―

Dentsu Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Nao Ishii) today launched the industry-academia collaborative "Easy Japanese Tourism Research Group" ( http://www.yasashii-nihongo-tourism.jp) in partnership with Human Academy Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Takataka Arai), which operates Japanese language teacher training courses and other educational programs, and Professor Yohei Arakawa of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.

"Easy Japanese" refers to the technique of limiting vocabulary and using clear expressions for foreigners learning Japanese, serving as a fundamental skill for "Japanese language teachers." While research and practice have previously focused on disaster prevention/mitigation measures and rewriting official documents for foreigners residing in Japan, this research group will adapt this approach to communication in the tourism sector. It will propose new ways for municipalities, tourist facilities, and commercial establishments to interact with inbound tourists.

The background to this research group's establishment is that Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture's "Japanese Tourism" initiative became a grant-eligible project under the government's "Comprehensive Strategy for Revitalizing Towns, People, and Jobs."

Tourists visiting regional areas often include many repeat visitors from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea, who have a high enthusiasm for learning Japanese. It is reasonable to expect that at least one person in a travel group can speak Japanese. The city has particularly focused on Taiwan, which has many enthusiastic Japanese learners, and has adopted a policy to promote "Japanese Tourism," encouraging Taiwanese tourists who speak Japanese to converse extensively in Japanese. The research group will provide support for this "Yanagawa Approach" through industry-academia collaboration and promote activities to spread this initiative to other municipalities.

The research group consists of the "Easy Japanese Subcommittee" and the "Japanese Tourism Subcommittee." Professor Yohei Arakawa of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, who has advocated for Japanese communication with foreigners through publications like "For Now, in Japanese," will serve as the overall chairperson of the research group and chairperson of the Easy Japanese Subcommittee. Professor Yoshitaka Kato of Tokai University, a leading authority on "Tourist Talk" We will propose the significance and practical approaches to "hospitality through Japanese" in spoken communication.

While "Japanese people speaking English" has been the norm until now, this research group aims to create opportunities for local tourism workers and citizens to participate in hospitality using "Easy Japanese." Furthermore, by incorporating "Easy Japanese" as an option, we hope to contribute to building a society where many Japanese people can participate in hospitality. This includes promoting new employment in the tourism sector, creating meaningful activities, and addressing the growing importance of volunteer support across various fields.

＜Human Academy Company Overview＞
・Company Name: Human Academy Co., Ltd.
http://manabu.athuman.com/
・Location: Nishishinjuku Kimuraya Building 1F, 7-5-25 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
・Capital: 10 million yen
・Established: April 2010
・Representative: Takataka Arai (President and CEO)
・Business Overview: Operates nationwide educational services targeting a wide range of age groups, including "Human Academy" for working adults, "Human Academy Comprehensive School" for full-time education, "Human Academy Robot Classroom" for children, and international education programs such as "Human International University Organization," "MBA Program," and "Japanese Language School." Upon completion, group-affiliated staffing companies provide employment and career transition support.