ISI Japanese Language School

What ISI Japanese Language School does

ISI Japanese Language School, founded in 1992 and operated by ISI Inc. and Education Corporation ISI Gakuen under parent WEWORLD Inc. (established April 19, 2021, CEO Masaaki Ogino), is a private Japanese language education institution serving international students across nine campuses in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagano. The school offers a portfolio of long-term academic and career-focused Japanese courses, short-term intensive programs, evening classes, seasonal summer/winter programs, and private lessons, priced from 84,560 JPY for a two-week short-term course to 1,599,000 JPY for a two-year long-term program. Its flagship Shinjuku campus, opened in April 2025, has 4,500-student capacity, and the school enrolls students from more than 60 countries through direct online enrollment, a network of contracted agencies in 120+ countries, and four annual intake periods.

The school uses the Direct Method (直接法) of language instruction, teaching exclusively in Japanese without intermediary languages, and incorporates Monoxer, an AI-powered vocabulary and kanji retention tool, alongside the proprietary POPITA digital watermark technology for certificate authentication. ISI has secured MEXT "Accredited Japanese Language Education Institution" status for its Ikebukuro and Nagano campuses and maintains ISO29991:2020 certifications across multiple locations, with reported JLPT N1/N2 pass rates nearly double the national average. The broader ISI Group includes integrated vocational schools (TBL, NBL), preparatory school JUQ, foreign talent recruitment service GLOBAL REACH, and a partnership with Beijing Language and Culture University's Tokyo campus, creating a vertically integrated pathway from language acquisition through university placement to employment in Japan.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition fees paid by individual students, supplemented by private lesson fees, certificate issuance (800 yen per certificate), and ancillary services from the Group's vocational and recruitment businesses. The go-to-market combines a multilingual website (13 languages), free counseling, trial lessons, on-demand webinars, and a global agency network for top-of-funnel acquisition, with annual events like the WEWORLD Education Expo serving as bottom-of-funnel conversion mechanisms. ISI serves four primary customer segments: university/college-bound students (primary), employment-seeking students (primary), conversation learners, and qualification seekers (e.g., JLPT preparation), with an additional refugee segment supported through a UNHCR-backed scholarship program.

Name

ISI Japanese Language School

Legal name

ISI Inc. (株式会社アイ・エス・アイ)

Website

https://isi-education.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ISI Japanese Language School is a private Japanese language education institution operating nine campuses across Japan, serving international students from 60+ countries with academic, career, and short-term courses. Founded in 1992, it is part of WEWORLD Inc. and integrates vocational schools, university placement, and recruitment services into a vertically stacked education-to-employment pathway.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Language Education Services

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

General Language Schools (Multi-Language) (EDAIAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Language School Accommodation & Student Services (School-Provided) (EDAIAEAO), General Language Schools & Institutes (EDAMAFAA)

Keywords

• Japanese language education
• Language school services
• University preparation programs
• Career Japanese courses
• Study abroad Japan

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Language Course Tuition: ISI generates revenue primarily through tuition fees from long-term and short-term Japanese language courses. Fees vary by campus, course duration, and program type. Long-term courses range from 6 months to 2 years with semester-based billing.
2. Private Lessons: Personalized one-on-one or small group Japanese lessons with instructor fees based on number of lessons and class size
3. Certificate Issuance Service: Certificate issuance fees for current students and graduates (800 yen per certificate), with convenience store printing, mail delivery, and in-person pickup options

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ISI Japanese Language School provides Japanese language education through a comprehensive portfolio of courses including long-term Academic Japanese Courses for university/college preparation, Career Japanese Courses for employment seekers, short-term intensive programs, evening courses, seasonal summer/winter programs, and personalized private lessons. The school operates nine campuses across Japan and serves international students seeking academic, professional, or personal Japanese language proficiency through structured curriculum, qualified teachers, and university placement and job hunting support services.

Product overview

ISI Japanese Language School operates as a multi-campus Japanese language education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of language learning products and services. The core offerings include long-term Academic Japanese Courses for university preparation and Career Japanese Courses for employment-focused learners, alongside short-term intensive programs, evening courses for working students, seasonal summer and winter programs, and personalized private lessons. The school operates nine campuses across Tokyo (Shinjuku, Shinjuku Prime, Ikebukuro, Takadanobaba Academic Pathway, Takadanobaba Career Pathway, Shibuya-Harajuku), Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagano. Additionally, the institution provides supplementary services including a digital Certificate Issuance Service, refugee support scholarship programs, and comprehensive student support including higher education placement assistance and career counseling.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tokyo Business and Language College (TBL): Tokyo Business and Language College - International vocational school offering Global Business, Digital Business, Hospitality Business, and Japanese-Chinese Medical Interpretation courses.
• Nagano Business and Language College (NBL)
• Beijing Language and Culture University, Tokyo College (BLCU)
• JUQ (Japan University Quest)
• GLOBAL REACH

Products and services

• Academic/General Japanese Course Long-term Japanese language course (6 months to 2 years) for international students seeking to enter Japanese universities or colleges, with curriculum designed to improve Japanese language skills for entrance examinations including EJU and JLPT.
• Career Japanese Course
• Short-Term General Japanese
• Short-Term Career Japanese
• Evening Course
• Specified Skilled Workers' Employment Support Program
• Summer Program
• Winter Program
• Private Japanese Lesson
• Certificate Issuance Service

Quantifiable outcome

• N1 and N2 JLPT pass rates nearly twice the national average (December 2025)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ALTO (Association of Language Travel Organizations)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024ISI joined ALTO to develop and improve the language and education travel industry. ALTO is an international trade association with 136 member organizations. Membership requires recommendation from existing members and provides access to best practices, international educational standards, and industry development guidelines.
• UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022ISI operates the Refugee Support Special Scholarship Program in partnership with UNHCR Japan, providing free long-term Japanese language education (up to 2 years) to individuals who have sought refuge in Japan. The program supports refugees in building independence through Japanese language skills. As of May 2026, 90 recipients have been supported. UNHCR representatives visit ISI campuses to review program outcomes and engage with scholarship recipients.
• JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISI participates in JASSO-sponsored college fairs where students can learn about universities, graduate schools, and vocational schools across Japan. JASSO provides information and support for international students pursuing higher education in Japan.
• WEWORLD Inc. (Parent Company)coreOthersWEWORLD Inc. operates ISI Japanese Language School and related educational services. WEWORLD also manages the WEWORLD Education Expo, JUQ preparatory school, and GLOBAL REACH recruitment agency. WEWORLD was established April 19, 2021 with CEO Masaaki Ogino leading operations.
• HOSEI UniversityminorOthersHOSEI University receives recommended students from ISI Japanese Language School. Professor Dr. TAKADA Asako from HOSEI Business School of Innovation Management has provided testimonials praising ISI's quality education and support for international students.
• Tokyo Business and Language College (TBL)coreOthersISI Group vocational school offering Global Business, Digital Business, Hospitality Business, and Japanese-Chinese Medical Interpretation courses. Located in same building as Ikebukuro Campus. Students can obtain diplomas and transfer to universities.
• Nagano Business and Language College (NBL)coreOthersISI Group vocational school in Ueda City, Nagano offering WEB Marketing, Global Business, Tourism Hospitality, and English Career courses. Reports 100% employment rate with comprehensive career support.
• Beijing Language and Culture University, Tokyo College (BLCU)minorOthersTokyo branch of Beijing Language and Culture University located in Ikebukuro. Students can obtain Chinese university diplomas and qualify for Japanese graduate school admission as a MEXT-designated Foreign University in Japan.
• GLOBAL REACHminorOthersForeign talent recruitment agency under WEWORLD Group that supports international students with employment at Japanese companies. Provides career advice and job placement consultations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• EF Education First: EF Education First is a global education company offering language courses across many languages and countries. While not focused on Japanese, EF's broader international education platform, brand recognition, and global agency network make it an incumbent peer in the broader language school category.
• Berlitz Corporation: Berlitz is a global language training company offering instruction in multiple languages, including Japanese. It is comparable as a broader incumbent in the language education space, though it operates as part of a wider portfolio rather than focusing on the Japanese-for-international-students niche ISI occupies.

Direct peers

• Genki Japanese Language School: Genki Japanese Language School is a major Japanese language education provider in Tokyo and Nagoya offering long-term and short-term courses to international students. It is directly comparable to ISI in core product, customer base (international students), and Japanese language curriculum focus.
• Tokyo School of Japanese Language (TSJL): Tokyo School of Japanese Language is a Tokyo-based Japanese language school offering long-term courses for university preparation and short-term programs. Directly comparable to ISI as a competing Japanese language school targeting international students seeking academic and career pathways in Japan.
• Coto Japanese Academy: Coto Japanese Academy operates Japanese language schools in Tokyo and other locations with a focus on conversation-based learning for international students and professionals. Comparable to ISI's conversation and career-oriented course offerings, though smaller in scale.
• Akamonkai Japanese Language School: Akamonkai is a large Japanese language school in Tokyo with multiple campuses offering long-term and short-term courses. Comparable to ISI in serving international students seeking Japanese language proficiency for university admission and employment in Japan.
• Yosida Japanese Language School: Yosida Japanese Language School is a long-established Japanese language school in Tokyo offering courses for international students. Comparable to ISI in core offering (long-term and short-term Japanese language education) and target customer base.
• Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute: Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute is a Tokyo-based Japanese language school. Comparable to ISI as a direct competitor in the same geography (Shinjuku) and same product category (Japanese language education for international students).
• KIC International College of Tokyo: KIC International College is a Tokyo-based Japanese language school with vocational school programs, similar to ISI's integrated language-plus-vocational model. Both schools serve international students seeking pathways from language education to Japanese higher education or employment.
• Nagoya School of Japanese Language: A Japanese language school serving international students with similar course structures to ISI. Comparable as a competing Japanese language school for international students, though operating in a different geographic market (Nagoya vs. ISI's primary Tokyo presence).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuaNk0IgNF1WdqSmn8dkPLQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/ISIJapan
• Instagraminstagram.com/isijapan
• TikToktiktok.com/@isijapan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/isi-japanese-language-school

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ISI Japanese Language School