MITO Takahisa    Department   Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University  Center for Language Education    Position   Lecturer
Language	Japanese
Publication Date	2025/12/21
Type	Research paper
Peer Review	Peer reviewed
Title	Japanese Language Education in Post-Coup Myanmar: Exploring the Significance of Language and Culture Education under Conditions of Social Unrest
Contribution Type	Single Work
Journal	Studies of Language and Cultural Education
Journal Type	Japan
Volume, Issue, Page	pp.32-54
Total page number	24
Details	This study examines Japanese language education in Myanmar after the 2021 military coup, drawing on accounts from local educators and multiple data sources. Amid growing social instability, including economic decline and the introduction of conscription, many young people now view learning Japanese as a means of survival and a pathway to leaving the country. As this desire to migrate aligns with Japan’s demand for foreign workers, Japanese language schools have increasingly emphasized preparation for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. At the same time, the departure of many Japanese language teachers has resulted in declining educational quality and teacher shortages. While Japanese has become a lifeline for learners, this shift differs markedly from pre-coup educational goals and has created tensions for local educators. Overall, the findings suggest that language and culture education in unstable contexts can help people cope with hardship and sustain hope.