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)