On the other hand, many people are cautious about the idea of increasing foreign nursery teachers. I personally share concerns about the risks associated with implementing such a system without addressing deeper issues.
First, the root causes of the current shortage—such as long working hours, low wages, and heavy responsibilities—must be acknowledged. Government data shows that the average salary of nursery teachers in Japan is significantly lower than the national average. As a result, many young childcare professionals leave the field early in their careers.
Language and cultural differences are also non-negligible factors. Childcare is not simply about watching children—it involves delicate communication tailored to each child’s development, and close cooperation with parents. Many such interactions rely heavily on nuanced Japanese language skills, which may pose challenges for non-native speakers.
There is also a structural issue in how policies are made. Decision-makers are often far removed from the actual childcare setting. Even if quality deteriorates due to a poorly implemented policy, those in charge may face no direct consequences, while the burden falls on caregivers and parents.
Moreover, if proper support is not provided, foreign workers risk being treated as cheap, expendable labor. This is contrary to the values of true multicultural inclusion.
#ChildcareQuality #WorkConditionsMatter #AccountabilityInPolicy #ProtectForeignWorkers #NoToExploitation #VoiceFromTheField
【Perspective Series ②】
Concerns About Accepting Foreign Nursery Teachers: Safeguarding Quality and Holding Systems Accountable （日本語版）【対立する視点シリーズ②】
外国人保育士の受け入れに反対する声：保育の質と制度の責任を問う
Raising Children in Japan