8 Penutur Jepang Dikirim ke Sulsel, 15 Sekolah Dapat Pendampingan Bahasa dan Budaya

#tribuntimur #tribunviral #japan #nihongo #partners #sma #smk #sulsel Download the TribunX news app on the Play Store or App Store for a new experience. TRIBUN-TIMUR.COM, MAKASSAR - The Japan Foundation is ready to send native Japanese speakers to assist with Japanese language learning at high schools (SMA), vocational schools (SMK), and Islamic high schools (MA) in South Sulawesi. The program is called Nihongo Partners, or Japanese language partners. The Japan Foundation launched the program at the Mercure Hotel on Jalan AP Pettarani, Makassar City, on Thursday (July 23, 2026). Representatives of principals and vice-principals from high schools (SMA), vocational schools (SMK), and Islamic high schools (MA) in South Sulawesi were invited to the event. The event, held on the second floor of the hotel, was directly facilitated by Japan Foundation Director Inami Kazumi. ‎ ‎Also present at the event was Lukmanul Hakim, Head of the International Cooperation and Facilitation Section at the Planning and Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen). ‎ ‎Also present were Ohashi Koichi, Head of the Japanese Consulate in Makassar, Ali Yafid, Head of the South Sulawesi Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and Hery Sumiharto, Head of the Vocational High School Division, representing the Head of the South Sulawesi Education Office. ‎ ‎Opening her remarks, Inami Kazumi stated that Indonesia has the second-highest number of Japanese language learners in the world after China. ‎ ‎A 2024 survey recorded that 700,000 Japanese language learners worldwide are Indonesian. ‎ ‎For decades, the Japan Foundation has supported various Japanese language learning programs in Indonesia. ‎ ‎One such program is Nihongo Partners, which began in 2014. ‎ ‎To date, 23 waves of native Japanese speakers have been sent to Indonesia. In 2025-2026, 141 Japanese speakers will be sent to Indonesia. ‎ ‎For South Sulawesi alone, in 2025, eight Japanese citizens will be sent to assist with teaching in 15 schools in South Sulawesi. ‎ ‎Inami explained that Nihongo Partners not only sends native Japanese speakers to assist with language learning, but also teaches Japanese culture extensively. ‎ ‎"This program sends or invites Japanese citizens to schools in Indonesia to accompany Japanese language teachers and directly introduce Japanese culture," he explained. ‎ ‎He stated that registration is currently open for schools interested in collaborating with the Nihongo Partners program. Registration runs from July to August 2026. One of the requirements for schools wishing to register is that they have already offered Japanese language courses and have Japanese language teachers. "We are the Japanese language teacher's companions at the school," he said. The Nihongo Partners mentoring program runs for six months each year. Inami explained that the Japanese speakers sent as mentors come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from university students to retirees from private companies. Inami hopes this program will continue to grow and that more schools in South Sulawesi will participate in the Nihongo Partners program. "We sincerely hope that the high schools and vocational schools present today will consider participating. We want more students to have the opportunity to interact directly with Japanese speakers," he said. ‎ ‎Meanwhile, Ohashi Koichi, Head of the Japanese Consulate in Makassar, stated that this program is expected to further strengthen the Indonesia-Japan cooperative relationship. ‎ ‎According to him, Indonesia-Japan cooperation is not only economic, but also cultural. ‎ ‎"We greatly support Nihongo Partners' activities to teach the language and introduce Japanese culture," he said. ‎ ‎Meanwhile, Hery Sumiharto, Head of the South Sulawesi Vocational High School Division, stated that the provincial government appreciates the Japan Foundation for introducing the Japanese language learning program. ‎ ‎He stated that the provincial government strongly supports foreign language learning programs in schools. ‎ ‎"This aligns with the Governor's expectations, which he conveys at every forum regarding programs to improve the quality and quality of our children," he said. ‎ ‎He revealed that South Sulawesi Governor Andi Sudirman asked the Education Office to improve the language proficiency of school students in South Sulawesi. ‎ ‎"In addition to their competencies, now through the School Operational Assistance (BOS) funds, he also hopes there will be learning to improve foreign languages," he said. ‎Reporter: Makmur Video Editor: Sanovra J. R Narrator: Rasni Gani