Japanese Literature Department Strengthens Kana Literacy for Prospective Migrant Workers in Gowa
Makassar – The Department of Japanese Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Hasanuddin University (Unhas), conducted a Community Service Program at SMKN 4 Gowa on Thursday (11/6). The program was held under the theme “Strengthening Kana Literacy (Hiragana and Katakana) as a Foundation of Japanese Language Competence for Prospective Migrant Workers in Gowa Regency.”
The Head of the Department of Japanese Literature, FIB Unhas, Dr. Imelda, S.S., M.Hum., emphasized that mastery of kana characters is a fundamental skill that must be acquired by anyone wishing to learn Japanese, particularly prospective migrant workers planning to work in Japan.
“The ability to read and write hiragana and katakana is a crucial first step in learning Japanese. Through this program, we hope participants will develop a stronger foundation for improving their Japanese language competence while enhancing their readiness to pursue international employment opportunities,” said Dr. Imelda.
The community service program was attended by students of SMKN 4 Gowa who are interested in pursuing careers in the industrial sector or participating in workforce placement programs in Japan. During the program, participants were introduced to the Japanese writing system and received step-by-step training in reading and writing hiragana and katakana.
The Department of Japanese Literature’s community service team also provided direct guidance to help participants understand the forms, pronunciation, and basic usage of kana characters in everyday communication. These skills serve as an essential foundation before progressing to vocabulary, grammar, and more advanced communication abilities.
According to the organizing team, the demand for Indonesian workers in Japan has continued to grow in recent years. This trend has created significant opportunities for vocational high school graduates to develop foreign language competencies as a gateway to the global labor market.
Through this initiative, the Department of Japanese Literature, FIB Unhas, seeks to fulfill the university’s role in supporting the development of human resources in the region. In addition to strengthening Japanese language literacy, the program is expected to motivate participants to continuously improve the skills needed to compete in the international job market.
The program concluded with practical exercises and interactive discussions, allowing participants to test their newly acquired reading and writing skills in kana. Moving forward, the Department of Japanese Literature, FIB Unhas, hopes to expand its collaboration efforts to further support the development of Japanese language competencies among the younger generation in South Sulawesi.