2025.10.15

New Release: “KURASHI STUDY for Beginners” — Digital Learning Platform for Japanese Language Beginners

―Supporting Japanese Learning for Non-Native Students in Schools

SUN Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Shumpei Nakasone; hereafter “SUN”) is pleased to announce the launch of “KURASHI STUDY for Beginners” a new digital learning platform designed for Japanese-language beginners, available from October 10, 2025 (Friday).

Growing Number of Students from Multicultural Backgrounds and the Challenges They Face

The number of schoolchildren with multicultural backgrounds in Japan continues to rise. According to a 2023 survey by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), approximately 69,123 students were identified as needing Japanese language instruction, an 18.6% increase from the previous survey.

However, many teachers report that even after completing around 160 hours of initial Japanese instruction (through basic training or supplementary classes), some students still struggle with vocabulary, grammar, and literacy skills. This often leads to difficulty understanding lessons, declining motivation, and hesitation to ask questions—creating ongoing challenges for educators.

In response, SUN developed this new digital learning platform with the aim of helping students build foundational Japanese skills anytime and anywhere—beyond what classroom lessons alone can provide. The platform can be used widely in educational settings, such as for homework during school vacations, self-study or moral education periods, and as supplementary content for students from multicultural backgrounds.

Key Features of “KURASHI STUDY for Beginners”　　　　　　

▶ Learn to write and pronounce hiragana and katakana
Step-by-step lessons guide learners through stroke order and pronunciation, supporting accurate character acquisition.

▶ Extensive coverage of basic kanji
Includes a wide range of kanji taught in Japanese elementary schools.
As of July 2025, covers Grades 1–6 level kanji.

▶ Comprehensive N5–N4 level grammar exercises
Covers essential grammar used in daily life and school subjects through repeated practice, enhancing lesson comprehension.

▶Game-like design for enjoyable learnin

Features 6 levels, 204 stages, and a total of 4,080 questions, allowing students to study continuously with a sense of progress and achievement.
　　　　　　

▶Progress-tracking system for teachers and administrators

Enables real-time monitoring of each student’s learning progress, making it easier to assign homework and provide targeted guidance.

Addressing Key Educational Needs

　▶Reduces teachers’ workload in preparing homework and tests
　▶Makes effective use of distributed tablet devices
　▶Provides learning opportunities for students and families from multicultural backgrounds
　▶Helps newly arrived students start learning Japanese with confidence

Useful in a Variety of Learning Settings

　▶During class: As supplementary material to support lesson comprehension
　▶Self-study or moral education time: Enables self-paced learning
　▶During long vacations: Usable as homework or review material
　▶Expected outcomes: Improved mastery of hiragana and katakana, greater efficiency in kanji learning, and enhanced motivation for Japanese study.

Teachers at adopting schools have shared positive feedback, such as:
“Many students who arrive in Japan at high school age lack foundational kanji knowledge at the compulsory education level. This tool will be extremely helpful.”  “It’s great that students can use it even outside dedicated Japanese instruction hours.”

Case Studies

　▶Elementary School, Tokyo (Ward-run)
　　Utilized for developing home-study habits and as a supplementary material in Japanese language instruction.

　▶Fukui High School, Osaka
　　Used to help students build study habits during school vacations and to review compulsory-education-level kanji.

Other Japanese-Language Education Services

　・Japanese Learning App: KURASHI STUDY
　　Now available in 20 countries worldwide, with a total of 190,000 downloads as of July 2024.

　・Online Japanese Learning Service for Foreign Employees: HANASU PLUS
　　Features a conversation-focused curriculum designed to help build trust and communication in the workplace.