Month: 2025-06

Osaka and Kawasaki, Japan – June 30, 2025 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - The Diversity and Community Engagement Research Center at the Graduate School of Humanities (DERC) of the University of Osaka and Fujitsu Japan Limited today announced a joint research project focused on leveraging generative AI to provide tailored education for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) children. The four-month project, running from June 2025 to September 2025, will explore the use of AI to assist in creating individualized education plans for elementary, junior high, and high school students, and is the first project of its kind in Japan.This joint research will utilize DERC’s extensive expertise in supporting CLD children combined with Fujitsu Japan's AI capabilities. The project aims to develop an AI model for educational support that generates baseline individualized education programs trained on DERC’s practical knowledge and the "Matrix of Language Development and Acquisition for CLD Students," (1) a new assessment framework published by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in April 2025. The project will then validate the effectiveness of this AI model.Moving forward, DERC and Fujitsu Japan plan to collaborate with Osaka Prefecture to validate the effectiveness of the AI model for educational support by the end of fiscal year 2025. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of an inclusive educational environment where CLD children in Japan can learn with confidence, ultimately contributing to improved educational quality and equity.Illustrative diagram of the joint research project and AI model for educational supportSupporting Japan's growing population of multicultural learners: A new approach to personalized educationWith the number of CLD children in Japan rapidly increasing, the need for personalized learning support is more critical than ever. Currently, over 480,000 children with foreign nationality aged 5-19 reside in Japan, with approximately 130,000 attending public elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide. Effective support requires understanding the individual proficiency and cultural/linguistic backgrounds of each student to provide tailored instruction. Teacher shortages and workload challenges represent an ongoing challenge in Japan.To better understand how individual language development impacts academic learning, and to improve learning guidance and the educational environment , MEXT released the Matrix of Language Development and Acquisition for CLD Students in April 2025 to better assess language proficiency and provide targeted support, also revising the "Dialogic Language Assessment (DLA)" (2). Associate Professor Chiho Sakurai of the University of Osaka DERC played a key role in developing these tools and guiding schools nationwide. Leveraging this expertise and Fujitsu Japan's experience in educational technology, the joint research project aims to enhance teacher expertise in supporting CLD children and fostering improved learning environments.Joint research detailsPeriod: June 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025Contents:This joint research will focus on developing and implementing an AI model for educational support that serves as a foundation for teachers, providing advice that leads to teacher awareness regarding teaching methods and attitudes toward CLD children, as well as presenting draft individualized education plans.Step 1: Data Analysis and issue extraction:Collection and analysis of data regarding the factors that impact children's language developmentAnalysis of correlations between factors like the Matrix of Language Development and Acquisition for CLD Students, age, length of stay in Japan, and native language proficiencyExtraction of key issues in creating individualized education plansStep 2: AI model development and demonstration trials:Fujitsu Japan develops the AI model and verifies its usefulness using data from Step 1DERC provides advice on AI-generated individualized education plans and participates in discussions to address educational support challengesEffectiveness is verified in real-world educational settings with local government cooperationRoles and responsibilitiesDERC:Provides expertise in language proficiency assessment and educational support for CLD children, as well as knowledge of various cultures and languagesProvides data related to the creation of individualized education plansExamines demonstration content and solutions to challenges aimed at practical application in educational settingsFujitsu Japan:Conducts technical studies and develops prototypes of an AI model for educational supportConducts verification aimed at social implementation in educational settingsFuture plansBased on the results of this joint research, DERC will continuously evaluate the new AI model for educational support for CLD children to improve its accuracy and usability. Through support for the initiatives of local communities, local governments, and schools, the center will continue to play a role as a mediator between languages, cultures, and people, aiming to solve social issues.Fujitsu Japan aims to provide services based on the results of this joint research by March 2028. By providing services to Japanese local governments and schools facing challenges in educational support for CLD children, the company will contribute to realizing learning where no one is left behind.Associate Professor Chiho Sakurai, The University of Osaka, comments:“We are excited to be part of this vital project to create a truly equitable educational environment for CLD children in Japan. By re-examining their language and cognitive development within their environment, we're getting to the heart of what education should be. I'm confident that this AI technology will democratize expertise, ensuring more reliable support for every child and paving the way for inclusive learning for all. We're also looking forward to explore how this collaborative model can transform public education and inspire future policies."NotesMatrix of Language Development and Acquisition for CLD Students:The "Matrix of Language Development and Acquisition for CLD Students " is a comprehensive assessment framework published by Japan’s MEXT in 2025 to comprehensively assess the language proficiency of CLD children. It aims to grasp the actual situation of children by referring to information obtained through daily observations and "Dialogic Language Assessment (DLA)" to this framework, and to indicate the direction of guidance and support accordingly.Dialogic Language Assessment (DLA):An assessment tool published by Japan’s MEXT in 2014 to assess the language proficiency of CLD children. It aims to understand the strengths of children that are difficult to capture with paper tests through one-on-one dialogue. The official name is "Dialogic Language Assessment (DLA) for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students," and the 2025 revision enables assessment in nine languages including Japanese: Portuguese, Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Spanish, English, Nepali, and Russian.Related URLsCenter for Multilingual Multicultural Education and Research, Graduate School of Humanities, Osaka University: https://derc.hmt.osaka-u.ac.jp/ (in Japanese)Fujitsu Japan - Education website: https://www.fujitsu.com/jp/solutions/industry/education/school/ai/ (in Japanese)About DERCLeveraging the expertise and experience of faculty and students specializing in 25 languages, cultures, and area studies, DERC engages in support activities and educational research initiatives for CLD children. We are committed to fostering a society where multilingual and multicultural coexistence is taken for granted.About FujitsuFujitsu’s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers around the globe, our 113,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: AI, Computing, Networks, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.6 trillion yen (US$23 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: global.fujitsu.Press ContactsDiversity and Community Engagement Research Center at the Graduate School of Humanities (DERC)E-mail：derc-res@ml.office.osaka-u.ac.jpFujitsu LimitedPublic and Investor Relations DivisionInquiries Copyright 2025 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, June 30, 2025 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - JCB Co., Ltd., a major global payment brand and the only international payment brand based in Japan, is pleased to announce that JCB cardholders can now use their contactless cards to ride the subway systems in both Shanghai and Beijing without purchasing tickets in advance.With this new service, JCB cardmembers can simply tap their contactless payment cards at the subway gates or designated readers to pay for fares quickly and conveniently.This user-friendly service is now available for overseas travelers and can be used on all underground lines in both cities. In Shanghai, the service covers all 21 subway lines and 517 stations; in Beijing, it is available on all 29 subway lines and 523 stations. Airport routes are also included, making the service even more accessible and beneficial for international tourists.This initiative marks the first time that contactless subway payment services have been made available to international cardholders in mainland China, further enhancing the travel experience and promoting the adoption of digital payments.About JCBJCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 56 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 169 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/ContactAnna TakedaCorporate CommunicationsTel: +81-3-5778-8353Email: jcb-pr@info.jcb.co.jp Copyright 2025 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.