Japan Foundation gives aid to 30 teaching institutions

Japan Foundation gives aid to 30 teaching institutions

JAKARTA (JP): The Japan Foundation donated educational aid to
all 30 Japanese teaching institutions in Indonesia yesterday.

A part of the 3,717,781 yen (Rp 96 million) was handed over to
representatives of the 13 Jakarta-based Japan language courses,
while contributions to other recipients operating in the
provinces will be sent later.

The aid also included books, video tapes, cassettes, and
special Japanese letter typewriters.

The assistant director of The Japan Foundation Jakarta
Language Center, Masaya Shimoyama, said that the number of
Indonesian students studying Japanese has increased every year.

While Tulus Suprayono, the director of the Don Bosco secretary
academy and one of the aid recipients, said that majority of
freshmen in his institute tend to choose Japanese and English in
their foreign language program to improve their chances of
working for foreign companies.

Shimoyama said that 60,278 Indonesian students are now
learning Japanese at the 460 Japanese teaching institutions here.

"The figures show Indonesia is fifth in terms of the number of
foreign people learning Japanese after Korea, Australia, China
and United States," he said.

Shimoyama added that the shortage of educational equipment was
exacerbated by the need for qualified teachers.

To help solve the problem, he said, the Japan Foundation has
conducted Japanese language training courses for the teachers
every year.

According to Shimoyama, as of next October local Japanese
language institutes can apply to the Foundation for more aid.

The Foundation announced recently that it will sponsor a
Japan-Indonesia friendship program, which will include a painting
exhibition, flower arranging, a show of Kabuki (Japanese
traditional drama), dances and an orchestra performance.

The program will take place from Oct. 4 through 29 at the
Jakarta Fair Ground in Kemayoran. (05)