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Along with the rapid increase in the number of leaner of the Japanese language in the latter half of l98O's, some of the Japanese language institutes located within Japan have received criticism because of problems with the level of education provided or their management. To raise the qualitative level of Japanese language institutes and to ensure an environment conducive to the serious study of those foreigners who sincerely desire to master Japanese, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture drew up the "National Standards for the Operation of Japanese Language Institutes" in December 1988, stipulating the conditions to be met by Japanese language institutes.

The Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education was established in May 1989 and became a foundation in February 1990. This Association, which, which grants accreditation to Japanese language institutes on the basis of the above-mentioned "Standards", has accredited 528 institutes, 95 of which have been closed. And 433 institutes thus existed as of March.1993. The number of pre-college students at these accredited institutes is about 36,000, while the capacity is about 71,COO. 'The Association has published a catalogue of these accredited institutions. "Japanese Language Institutes in Japan", for wide distribution both domestically and abroad, for the purpose of increasing the amount of information available to potential entrants. It also conducts programs for the qualitative improvement of Japanese language institutes, including the development of teaching materials, programs for in-service teacher training, provision of practical guidance for foreign pre-college students, advice and study regarding entry into Japan and required visas. The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture subsidizes some of these programs conducted by the Association.

The Ministry of Justice, which controls matters concerning foreigners' entry into and stay in Japan, takes the Association's accreditation of a Japanese language institute into consideration when considering a foreign pre-college student's eligibility to entry into Japan and to be granted a visa.

Table l-2-8 Outline of Japanese Language Institutes in Japan