This is English translation of our press release on PONTIS, online Japanese language class platform.

Original Japanese version is this.

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000120222.html

Online Japanese language learning platform PONTIS launched.

https://pontis.jp

This service targets Japanese language learners worldwide, with a particular emphasis on encouraging usage among individuals in the Middle East and Africa.

It serves as a bridge between Japanese language learners and instructors worldwide who lack access to Japanese language schools or suitable learning environments. Co-managed by Tomo ni Japan Co., Ltd.

tomoni Japan Ltd. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo; Managing Director: Takeshi Nagamoto), which operates the SNS platform “tomoni” for exchange students from the Middle East and Africa, has launched the online Japanese language learning platform “PONTIS” on May 1st.

Due to the lack of access to Japanese language education institutions such as Japanese language schools, many people around the world are either self-studying Japanese or giving up on Japanese language learning altogether. Particularly, regions with limited learning environments, such as the Middle East and Africa, have caught our attention. We aim to provide online Japanese language learning opportunities to individuals interested in Japanese in these regions, as well as to people from around the world, including those studying abroad or visiting Japan from these areas.

【Overview】

PONTIS is an online service for learning Japanese using platforms like Zoom and Skype.

It connects individuals who don’t have Japanese language schools nearby, those who cannot attend Japanese language schools due to various reasons, and Japanese language instructors (teachers). All instructors hold qualifications as Japanese language teachers (including the founder).

As it’s private lessons conducted online:

• Lessons can be taken in the early morning or late at night if schedules align with the instructor.
• Lesson content is customizable, tailored to the level and needs of each learner.

It targets Japanese language learners worldwide, particularly aiming to serve:

• Individuals self-studying Japanese in countries or regions where Japanese language schools are scarce, such as the Middle East and Africa.
• Students studying at Japanese universities who are unable to take Japanese language classes offered by their universities due to conflicts with specialized courses or research.

【Motive and Background for Providing This Service】

“I, as an African international student, face a significant disadvantage compared to Asian students in terms of Japanese language proficiency. This is because while Asian countries have Japanese language schools, Africa has hardly any.”

The catalyst for starting PONTIS came from these words spoken by a student. Amidst the existence of several companies and websites offering similar services, it was this sentiment, translated from English, that spurred the decision to initiate PONTIS.

Around the world, including Japan, there are many Japanese language learners who lack access to Japanese language schools and are forced to self-study. We at PONTIS aim to provide opportunities for such individuals to learn Japanese.

This is an undeniable reality.

However, without hearing these words, we might not have considered starting PONTIS.

International students are crucial entities for both their home countries and Japan.

Our company, focusing initially on the African and Middle Eastern regions, where the founder had been interested since high school and had experience during his previous job at a trading company, launched an SNS platform specifically for students from these regions.

For many exchange students, major challenges lie in “Japanese language” and “job hunting”. Particularly in the Middle East and Africa, where the Japanese language learning environment is often insufficient, many students arrive in Japan and immediately enter graduate school, resulting in a significant portion of them having low Japanese proficiency even when they finish their studies.

It is very sad and unfortunate that many excellent international students are forced to leave Japan simply because they didn’t have the opportunity to learn Japanese and find employment there.

Recognizing the significant obstacle that “Japanese language” poses during job hunting, we decided to launch the online Japanese language class platform, PONTIS, aiming to contribute in resolving this issue. With flexible scheduling, students can take classes on weekends, early mornings, or evenings, provided it aligns with the teacher’s availability.

【Future Outlook】

In the immediate future, we will continue to focus on our services, PONTIS and the SNS platform tomoni.

However, we are also considering addressing the second challenge for exchange students, namely “job hunting” in the near future by developing services to tackle this issue.

【About the Operating Company】

■ About Tomoni Japan Co., Ltd.

We firmly believe that if people around the world become friends, the world will undoubtedly become a bit more peaceful.

With this belief in our hearts, our founder established the company.

Currently, under the motto “together with international students,” we are focusing on international students, particularly those from minority regions such as the Middle East and Africa. Our goal is to be of service to all international students and to foster positive relationships between them and Japanese individuals, as well as between their home countries and Japan.

■ Company Overview

・Company Name: tomoni Japan Ltd.

URL: https://tomoni-japan.co.jp

・Established: October 4, 2021

・Managing Director: Takeshi Nagamoto

・Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan

・Current Services:

tomoni: SNS platform for international students from the Middle East and Africa, as well as those interested in these regions. URL: https://tomoni-sns.jp

PONTIS: Online Japanese language class platform. URL: https://pontis.jp

■ About the Founder

Born in 1963. Developed an interest in Africa during high school and joined a general trading and investment company (Sogo Shosha) after graduating from university.

Primarily handled machinery exports to Africa and the Middle East, stationed in countries including Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Algeria, Ghana, and Dubai.

Established tomoni Japan Ltd. in October 2021.

Completed the Japanese language teacher training course at Human Academy Shinjuku School in March 2021.