According to an article in CINRA 2024/09/06, a new news program “Easy Words News” will be aired on NHK Radio 1 from September 30th. This is a news program that uses easy-to-understand expressions and uses as few words as possible. The staff, who have spent many years pursuing ways to express themselves more clearly in news and programs, created the manuscript with the aim of expressing it in “Easy Japanese“, which is becoming more and more popular among foreign residents.
“Easy Japanese” is a simple way of expressing ordinary Japanese that is easier to understand for foreigners whose native language is not Japanese, people with disabilities in Japan, children, and the elderly. It is especially used in situations where accurate and prompt information provision is required, such as disseminating information during disasters, administrative procedures, and public service guidance. This initiative aims to realize a multicultural society in Japan and plays an important role in promoting communication that takes into consideration the recipients of information.
Background of the birth of “Easy Japanese”
The concept of “Easy Japanese” became widely recognized after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995. At that time, information was not sufficiently provided to foreign residents affected by the disaster, and there were cases where evacuation was delayed due to the language barrier. In response to this situation, there was growing recognition that in times of disaster, expressions that were easy to understand even for people whose native language was not Japanese were needed, and an initiative called “Easy Japanese” was proposed.
Since then, “easy Japanese” has gained attention as an effective means of communication not only during disasters, but also in daily administrative and public services. In particular, with the increase in tourism, immigrants, and international students, it is positioned as a means to eliminate language barriers and create a society where many people can live comfortably.
Characteristics of “Easy Japanese”
“Easy Japanese” is characterized by simplifying normal Japanese and using short sentences and plain words. Specifically, the following points are important.
- Kanji restrictions: Avoid difficult kanji and use hiragana, katakana, and furigana. Alternatively, limit the number of kanji used and keep them to as few as possible.
- Keep sentences short: avoid long sentences and complex syntax, keep sentences as short as possible, and make the subject and predicate clear.
- Use simple language: Avoid jargon and difficult words and replace them with everyday words.
- Think from the audience’s perspective: For words and concepts that require explanation, try to make it easier for the audience to understand, such as by giving examples.
Through these methods, “Easy Japanese” has become a useful communication tool not only for Japanese language learners and foreigners, but also for children, the elderly, and people with dementia.
Usage example
1.Providing information during disasters
When a disaster occurs, conveying appropriate information to foreign residents who do not understand Japanese is a life-threatening issue. Local governments across the country are working to provide evacuation instructions and disaster information in “Easy Japanese” in the event of a disaster. For example, local government websites and disaster prevention apps provide information in “Easy Japanese” and explain evacuation sites and means of evacuation in simple Japanese. Furthermore, in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake or typhoon, by using “Easy Japanese” in situations where it is difficult to respond in a foreign language, it is now possible to quickly and accurately provide information to many people.
2.Utilization in administrative procedures
For foreigners living in Japan, formalities at government offices are unavoidable. However, administrative documents often contain difficult expressions and are difficult for foreigners to understand. For this reason, many local governments have pamphlets and websites that explain information on resident records, taxes, and insurance in “Easy Japanese”. This allows foreign residents to proceed with the procedures on their own, reducing language hurdles.
3.Utilization in medical institutions
During medical treatment and treatment at a hospital, it is extremely important for foreign patients to properly communicate their symptoms and understand the doctor’s explanation. However, because medical language is specialized and difficult, communication often fails. In order to improve this situation, some medical institutions are beginning to use “Easy Japanese” at reception and during consultations. People are creating an environment where patients can receive medical care with peace of mind by providing medical treatment guidance and explanations of diagnosis results using simple language.
4.Use in educational settings
There are many children in Japan whose native language is not Japanese, and it may be difficult for them to keep up with school lessons. In educational settings, “Easy Japanese” is increasingly being used in textbooks and classes to make it easier for children to learn. In addition, by using “Easy Japanese” when teachers easily explain Japanese and give instructions, it becomes easier for foreign children and students to understand the lesson content, providing equal opportunities for learning.
5.Utilization in the tourism industry
Language barriers can be a big hurdle for tourists. In particular, foreign tourists visiting Japan often do not understand Japanese at all, so it is important to provide guidance in “Easy Japanese” at tourist spots and transportation facilities. For example, by using “Easy Japanese” on information boards and pamphlets at tourist destinations, and by having tourist guides provide explanations in simple Japanese to foreign tourists, even tourists who are unsure about the language can easily understand the language.
Challenges and future prospects
“Easy Japanese” is an important means of realizing a multicultural society where everyone can access information, but there are also some challenges. For example, when using “Easy Japanese”, the standards for how difficult the language should be set are still ambiguous. Furthermore, when communicating with Japanese people who use normal Japanese, using “Easy Japanese” may actually create a feeling of alienation.
In the future, education and training will be necessary to spread “Easy Japanese” even more widely. By helping not only governments, companies, and educational institutions, but also the general public understand this concept and use it in their daily lives, we can build a society where people with diverse cultures and backgrounds can coexist.