Gifu Prefectural Tono High School: A Model for Multicultural Education in Japan
Gifu Prefectural Tono High School, founded in 1896, is a public school in Mitake Town, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, that has become a notable example of successful multicultural education. With over 60% of its student body having foreign roots, the school emphasizes practical Japanese language skills for employment and daily life, achieving positive career outcomes for its graduates.
Classes Focused on Social Independence
The school’s classrooms reflect a diverse linguistic landscape, with students speaking Japanese alongside English, Tagalog, and Portuguese. The curriculum incorporates innovative approaches to language learning, such as “Extensive Reading Theater,” where students adapt Japanese folk tales and novels into original scripts.
Students hone their language skills through scriptwriting, rehearsals, and video production. These projects are evaluated by teachers and students from other high schools. Assistant teacher Satomi Wada explains that the program aims to develop students’ ability to understand characters’ feelings, communicate effectively, and summarize information in Japanese. The emphasis on meeting deadlines likewise instills a valuable work ethic relevant to Japanese society.
A Growing International Student Body
Tono High School began welcoming students with foreign roots in 2006. By 2015, these students comprised 62% of the student population, with the largest nationalities represented being the Philippines, Brazil, and Nepal. The increase in international students is linked to the presence of major automobile-related factories in the area and the school’s improved support system for students with diverse backgrounds. Vice-principal Shigeru Tsuchimoto notes that the school did not actively seek to attract international students, but rather responded to a natural increase in demand, supported by the prefectural board of education.
Support Systems for Students with Foreign Roots
Tono High School provides comprehensive support for students who require Japanese language instruction. First-year students participate in “International Classes,” and second-year students have access to dedicated language support. By the third year, all students are integrated into mainstream classes, preparing them for higher education or employment.
Established in 2022, the school’s “International Department” manages Japanese language classes and serves as a liaison with parents. The school employs a full-time English teacher, a qualified Japanese language instructor, and five support staff dispatched from Gifu Prefecture, providing assistance in Portuguese, Tagalog, and Chinese.
Japanese classes focus not only on grammar and vocabulary but also on practical skills for navigating Japanese society. The school collaborates with universities to develop unique and effective Japanese language education programs. Third-year students receive practical training in job application materials, such as writing motivation letters, and participate in mock interviews conducted by professionals, including Immigration Bureau staff.
Student Voices and Future Prospects
Students appreciate the diverse learning environment at Tono High School. One student remarked on the value of learning from peers with different national backgrounds and perspectives.
The school’s efforts have yielded positive results, with 85% of graduates with foreign roots pursuing higher education or securing full-time employment. This rate significantly exceeds national averages for students with foreign roots who require Japanese language instruction.
Principal Fumitoshi Nimura emphasizes the unique learning environment fostered by the intersection of diverse languages, cultures, and perspectives at Tono High School, believing it to be a crucial foundation for students’ growth and future success.
Recognition and Impact
Tono High School’s innovative approach to multicultural education was recognized with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Excellent Career Education School Award in 2019. The school’s model serves as a valuable reference for other regions and schools working to promote social cohesion in Japan’s increasingly diverse society.