Japanese Language Teacher Development Program for Northeast India Inaugurated Through Collaboration Between Assam Skill University, The Japan Foundation and IJBC

Assam Skill University, in collaboration with The Japan Foundation, New Delhi and the Indo-Japan Business Council, has launched the Japanese Language Teacher Development Program in Guwahati. The initiative aims to strengthen Japanese language education in Northeast India by developing qualified teachers and enhancing long-term India–Japan educational, cultural and workforce partnerships.

Officials from Assam Skill University, The Japan Foundation and the Indo-Japan Business Council during the inauguration of the Japanese Language Teacher Development Program in Guwahati.

The Japanese Language Teacher Development Program – Northeast India was inaugurated this week at the City Campus of Assam Skill University in Guwahati, marking an important step towards strengthening Japanese language education and long-term India–Japan cooperation in the region.

The initiative is being implemented through a collaborative partnership between Assam Skill University (ASU), The Japan Foundation, New Delhi (JF), and the Indo-Japan Business Council (IJBC).

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Biswajit Daimary, Hon'ble Minister of Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship, Government of Assam, as the Chief Guest. The event was attended by Subhash Chandra Das, IAS (Retd.), Vice Chancellor, Assam Skill University; Hanif Noorani, ACS, Registrar, Assam Skill University; Koji Sato, Director General, The Japan Foundation, New Delhi; Siddharth Deshmukh, President, Indo-Japan Business Council; along with representatives from academia, industry and other invited guests.

The programme has been developed to address one of the key challenges in expanding Japanese language education in Northeast India—the availability of trained Japanese language teachers. By strengthening local teaching capacity, the initiative aims to support the sustainable growth of Japanese language education across the region.

Interest in Japan among young people in Northeast India has grown steadily in recent years, driven by opportunities in education, skills development, employment, business and cultural exchange. Building a strong base of quali ied teachers is therefore an important step in creating a sustainable ecosystem that can support this growing interest over the long term.

Under the collaboration, The Japan Foundation provides academic guidance, expertise in Japanese language education and teacher training methodologies. Assam Skill University serves as the institutional partner responsible for programme delivery through its academic infrastructure and ecosystem. As a bilateral chamber dedicated to strengthening India Japan cooperation, IJBC supports stakeholder coordination, institutional engagement, outreach and implementation facilitation, helping connect educational initiatives with broader India–Japan collaboration.

The programme is being conducted as an intensive classroom-based teacher development course for selected participants in Guwahati. Along with Japanese language proiciency, participants will receive training in teaching methodologies, classroom practice, communication skills and cultural understanding, enabling them to teach beginner-level Japanese language courses across schools, colleges, universities and skill institutions in Northeast India.

Beyond language education, the initiative relects a broader commitment to strengthening India–Japan engagement through education, skills and human resource development. Expanding Japanese language teaching capacity will support greater academic exchange, workforce readiness and long-term people-to-people connections between India and Japan.

Speaking on the occasion, representatives of the participating institutions noted that the programme represents an investment in the future of India–Japan relations. By developing local teaching capacity in Northeast India, the initiative seeks to create opportunities for students, educators and institutions while supporting stronger educational and cultural ties between the two countries.

The Indo-Japan Business Council considers this initiative an important example of how educational institutions and bilateral organisations can work together to create practical, long-term outcomes that benefit both India and Japan.

About Assam Skill University

Assam Skill University is the first skill university in Northeast India, established by the Government of Assam to promote skill-based, industry-aligned and employability-oriented education.

About The Japan Foundation, New Delhi

The Japan Foundation is Japan's of official institution dedicated to promoting international cultural exchange through Japanese language education, cultural programmes and intellectual exchange.

About the Indo-Japan Business Council (IJBC)

The Indo-Japan Business Council (IJBC) is a bilateral chamber dedicated to strengthening business, educational, cultural, institutional and people-to-people ties between India and Japan. Through chamber-led initiatives, strategic partnerships and regional engagement, IJBC works to promote practical and sustainable cooperation between the two countries across multiple sectors.

Media Enquiries

Indo-Japan Business Council (IJBC)

Northeast Regional Committee

Email: chair.nerc@ijbc.org Phone: +91 98100 86963