About Yamasa - Aichi Center for Japanese Studies

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Information regarding Yamasa's Accreditation

APJLE - Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education

As a Japanese education program provider, the Yamasa Institute is required to be a member of the regulating body - the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education - (APJLE). This is the governing body established by the Japanese government (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice) and education providers. Only schools that are accredited by the APJLE can authorize the certificate of eligibility required for the Shugakusei student visa. And all Japanese language education providers need to meet quality standards determined by the regulating body. We were a founding member and our membership number is B302.

There are two key points to note regarding the accreditation system.

Firstly please note that ALL Japanese language institutes are required to meet quality standards determined by the APJLE. Only accredited institutions are able to receive students into their programs with student visas.

Please also note that while all Japanese language institutes require APJLE accreditation - there is still a recognizable quality difference between many of the APJLE accredited institutes. The accreditation system only installs a minimum standard.

In October 1996 a second layer of higher quality APJLE accredited institutions entitled 'Appropriately Authorized Japanese Language Education Institutes' was established. The difference between these schools and the average schools is that the systems and records of the 'Appropriately Authorized' schools reflect very high levels of quality. The Yamasa Institute in Okazaki City was selected as an 'Appropriately Authorized Japanese Language Education Institute' in the very first group. We are proud of the quality we provide and maintain, and of the fact that it is well recognized. We are currently assessed and authorized as the "only institution in the Mikawa region with the appropriate programs, systems, curriculum and facilities required for quality Japanese language education."

A key advantage of this is the fact that the Immigration Bureau also makes a distinction between the high quality institutions and the others. The bureau has given the following privileges to the higher level Institutes since April 1997.

1. Faster inspection of application (allowing a later application deadline),
2. Reduced documentation involved in the application, and
3. Longer period of stay for student visa (12 months instead of 6 months)

The benefits to students of a longer period of stay and a reduction in the amount of bureaucracy and time involved in applying are considerable. Compared to Yamasa, many institutions will require you to complete your applications up to 4 months in advance. This is because the applications will be subjectable to considerable scrutiny before a visa is approved. The differentiation also allows students a further method of selecting higher quality schools. Only schools that can offer a renewable "Shugakusei" visa with a 12-month period of stay are 'Appropriately Authorized'.

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