Partner NGO Pathways Japan has been administering the Japanese Language School Program since 2017. This program started by admitting Syrian students in Turkey to to Japan to study Japanese intensively at several language schools for two years. As of 2024, the program has expanded to admit refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine as well.
Graduates of this program either go on to pursue higher education in universities and graduate schools or find employment.

The Japan ICU Foundation has been offering 50,000 USD annually to this program since 2022 to cover some of the expenses such as airfare and stipend for students. JICUF staff has also been deeply involved in the screening of applicants since 2023. In 2023, PJ and JICUF recruited 5 Syrian, 7 Afghan and 6 Ukrainian students to be placed in 7 schools across Japan.

Given that Japanese language proficiency is vital to accessing higher education and employment in Japan, this program serves as an effective gateway for refugees to resettle in Japan.