ROOTS
Program
“You are Japanese.
But do you truly know Japan?”
Your global experience is your greatest strength.
Now it’s time to build the other half — your Japanese roots.
グローバルな経験はあなたの最大の武器。今こそ、もう半分の自分——日本人としてのルーツを育てましょう。
At a Glance
Who is this for?
Returnees (帰国生) who grew up overseas and need to reconnect with Japanese language and culture.
Language of Instruction
English-first, gradually shifting to bilingual (English + Japanese) as skills develop.
Position in AJ Academy
Preparatory course (Door 0) that connects to Standard Path (Elementary / Middle / High).
Target Age
Middle school & high school age returnees (approx. 12–18 years old).
Is this program for you?このプログラムはあなたのためですか？
😔 Does this sound familiar?
- You can speak English fluently, but struggle to read or write Japanese properly.
- You don’t understand Japanese school rules, customs, or “unwritten rules.”
- You feel like an outsider — too “foreign” for Japan, yet too “Japanese” for abroad.
- You know you’re Japanese, but can’t explain Japanese history or culture in depth.
- You want to attend a Japanese school but feel unprepared.
✨ But you also have these strengths:
- You are bilingual or have strong English communication skills.
- You have a global perspective that most Japanese students don’t have.
- You can adapt to new environments and think flexibly.
- You have experienced different cultures and can see the world from multiple angles.
- You have the potential to become a truly global Japanese person.
The ROOTS Program is designed to bridge the gap between your global experience and your Japanese identity.
We don’t teach you Japanese as a foreign language — we help you reclaim the Japanese that was always inside you.
Three pillars of the ROOTS Program
Practical Japanese
Not “Japanese as a foreign language” — but the Japanese you need to live, study, and connect in Japan. We address the unique imbalances returnees have (e.g., can speak but can’t write kanji).
Cultural Code
Japan runs on unwritten rules. We decode them — in English — so you can understand the logic behind Japanese behavior, communication styles, and social expectations.
Identity & History
Who are the Japanese people? Where did they come from? What shaped them? Learn Japan’s history and geography in English, and discover pride in your own roots.
4 Learning Modules
Survival Japanese
This module targets the specific language gaps that returnees face. Rather than starting from scratch, we identify exactly what you’re missing and fill those gaps efficiently. By the end, you’ll have the Japanese skills needed to navigate school life with confidence.
Keigo (Polite / Honorific Japanese)
School-specific vocabulary
Reading comprehension
Essay writing basics
漢字の読み書き
敬語・丁寧語
学校用語（日直・偏差値・内申点）
The Unwritten Rules of Japan
Japan has a rich set of social norms that are rarely explained explicitly — they’re just “understood.” For returnees, this can be the biggest barrier to fitting in. This module explains the logic behind Japanese social behavior in plain English, using comparisons with Western cultures to make it click.
Reading the air (空気を読む)
Group harmony vs. individual expression
Seasonal events & traditions
Table manners & public etiquette
Omotenashi (Japanese hospitality)
本音と建前
冠婚葬祭のマナー
季節の行事（正月・お盆・花見）
Discovering Japanese History & Geography
You can’t truly know who you are without knowing where you come from. This module covers the highlights of Japanese history and geography — taught entirely in English — so you can understand the forces that shaped Japan and, by extension, shaped you. We also connect Japan’s story to global history, so your international perspective becomes an asset.
Bushido & Samurai culture
Japan’s isolation & opening to the world
WWII and Japan’s recovery
Japan’s geography & four seasons
Modern Japan: challenges & strengths
日本史のハイライト
武士道・侍文化
四季と日本人の精神性
Expressing Your Roots
The final module brings everything together. You’ll practice expressing your identity — as a Japanese person with global experience — through presentations, essays, and discussions. This is where you transform from someone who is “confused about being Japanese” into someone who is genuinely proud of their unique background.
Identity essay: “Who am I as a Japanese person?”
Explaining Japan to non-Japanese people
Discussion: Japan vs. the world
バイリンガル・プレゼンテーション
アイデンティティ・エッセイ
日本文化の英語での発信
From ROOTS to the World
You Arrive
Returnee with strong English, but gaps in Japanese language & culture.
ROOTS Program
Rebuild your Japanese foundation. Rediscover your identity.
Standard Path
Join Elementary, Middle, or High School program with confidence.
Penn Foster / College
Graduate with US high school diploma or advance to university.
Global Japanese
A true global professional, proud of Japanese roots.
What you’ll gain from ROOTS
Confidence Restored
Overcome the “I’m Japanese but I don’t know Japan” complex. Embrace your bilingual identity as a strength, not a weakness.
School Readiness
Understand Japanese school culture, rules, and social dynamics. Navigate school life smoothly and build genuine friendships.
Academic Foundation
Develop the Japanese language skills needed to follow instruction in Standard Path courses (Elementary / Middle / High).
True Global Identity
Become someone who deeply understands their own culture AND the world — the rarest and most powerful combination.
After ROOTS, open the next door.
ROOTSで土台を作ったら、次の扉を開きましょう。
Ready to rediscover your roots?
We offer a free consultation in English to discuss your background and find the right starting point for you.
英語での無料相談を行っています。お気軽にご連絡ください。