Leveraging Generative AI for Inclusive Education: A Research Collaboration in Japan

Strategic Insights -

Osaka and Kawasaki, Japan-based researchers from the University of Osaka's Diversity and Community Engagement Research Center (DERC) and Fujitsu Japan Limited have embarked on a four-month joint research project, from June to September 2025, aimed at developing an AI model for educational support that generates tailored education plans for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) children. This initiative, which is the first of its kind in Japan, seeks to address the challenges posed by teacher shortages and workload pressures in supporting CLD children.

Key Takeaways:

  • The project aims to develop an AI model for educational support that generates baseline individualized education programs for elementary, junior high, and high school students, utilizing DERC's practical knowledge and the "Matrix of Language Development and Acquisition for CLD Students," a new assessment framework published by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in April 2025.
  • The joint research project, which will run until September 2025, involves developing and validating the effectiveness of the AI model for educational support, with the goal of creating a truly equitable educational environment for CLD children in Japan.
  • The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of an inclusive educational environment where CLD children can learn with confidence, ultimately contributing to improved educational quality and equity.
  • The project will provide advice on AI-generated individualized education plans and present draft plans, addressing educational support challenges in real-world educational settings with local government cooperation.
  • DERC will continue to evaluate the new AI model for educational support for CLD children to improve its accuracy and usability, while Fujitsu Japan aims to provide services based on the results of this joint research by March 2028.

Statistics:

  • 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.
  • The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) published the "Matrix of Language Development and Acquisition for CLD Students" in April 2025 to assess language proficiency and provide targeted support.
  • The number of CLD children in Japan is rapidly increasing, necessitating effective support for understanding individual proficiency and cultural/linguistic backgrounds.

Sources:

  • JCN Newswire, "Fujitsu and University of Osaka Start Joint Research Project to Leverage AI Technology for Educational Support of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children," June 30, 2025.
  • University of Osaka's Diversity and Community Engagement Research Center,
  • Fujitsu Japan Limited, Press Release, "Fujitsu to Collaborate with Osaka University to Develop AI-Based Education Support System for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children," June 30, 2025.