'Language Young Carers' to be Released Nationwide in Late May 2026: Rethinking Education Through the Reality of Children with Foreign Roots Acting as Interpreters

The first book by Aziz Ahmed, Representative Director of NPO Tomokura, titled 'Language Young Carers: Rethinking Education through the Reality of Children with Foreign Roots Acting as Interpreters,' will be released nationwide in late May 2026.

This book depicts the reality of 'language young carers'—children with foreign roots who take on interpreting and administrative procedures for their families—from both the perspective of personal life experience and current support activities.

Hospitals, schools, government offices... In situations that determine their family's fate, these children bear a 'responsibility' where misunderstandings are unacceptable.

A single word can turn into relief or despair. That is precisely why the weight of such a role must not be entrusted to a single child.

Through the life of one boy, this book questions the ideal state of education and society.

What is a 'Language Young Carer'? Among children with foreign roots, there are those who, from a young age, take on interpreting, translating, and administrative procedures on behalf of family members who do not fully understand Japanese.

'Handouts from school. Explanations at the hospital. Insurance and contracts. Procedures at the government office.'

Simply because 'they can speak Japanese,' these children serve as a bridge to society. However, this reality is not fully recognized, and support systems remain limited.

The author, Aziz Ahmed, also lived supporting his family as a 'language young carer' after moving to Japan at the age of 9. Currently based in Gunma Prefecture, he established NPO Tomokura, which provides learning support, multilingual information assistance, and creates safe spaces for children with foreign roots.

Features of this Book - Includes realistic experiences as someone who lived through it - Explains social issues from the perspectives of education, welfare, and human rights - Introduces real cases occurring in schools - Proposes a 'society where we live together' rather than focusing on 'those being supported' - Useful content for educators, local governments, and welfare professionals

Table of Contents (Excerpt) - Part 1: Language Young Carers - First day of school in Japan: Self-defense named 'Salmon Bento' - The 'pride' and 'fear' of interpreting - 'Can I, a foreigner, go on to higher education?' - 'Differences' become 'pride,' not 'shame' - Part 2: To Realize 'Living Together' - The three-pillar initiatives of NPO Tomokura - 'School supplies' videos and high school advancement guidebooks - Social participation through expression - Part 3: Roundtable with 'Now Adults' Who Have Foreign Roots - A recorded roundtable discussion with four adults with foreign roots who took on 'interpreting' and 'supporting the family' during childhood, joined by Kaito Nakata, who works on young carer support. Through the language barriers and responsibilities they faced, struggles in school life, and experiences they can only share now as adults, the real voices of 'language young carers' are delivered. - Part 4: 'Language Young Carers' from the Perspective of a Young Carer (Written by Kaito Nakata)

Author Profiles Aziz Ahmed Born in Pakistan in 1999. Spent his early childhood in Pakistan and came to Japan at age 9. He started life without understanding Japanese and has experience as a 'language young carer' handling interpreting and procedures for his family. Based on this experience, he advocated the concept of the 'language young carer.' He highlights the invisible burdens of children with foreign roots as a social issue, developing lectures, training, and educational materials. Representative Director of NPO Tomokura / Representative Partner of NowNever LLC / Committee Member of Gunma Prefecture Multicultural Coexistence and Co-creation Promotion Council.

Contributing Writer: Kaito Nakata Occupational Therapist / Committee Member of Tochigi Prefecture Carer Support Promotion Council. After working as an occupational therapist at a psychiatric hospital and pediatric development clinic, he is now active as a freelancer. Having personal experience as a 'sibling young carer,' he disseminates information and lectures on family and carer support.

Book Information - Title: Language Young Carers: Rethinking Education through the Reality of Children with Foreign Roots Acting as Interpreters - Genre: Society / Welfare - Format: A5 size / 212 pages - Publication: June 2026 - Price: 2,530 yen (tax included) - ISBN: 978-4-86342-415-9 * Pre-ordered items will be shipped sequentially from mid-May. * Bookstore release is scheduled for late May.

Recommended For - Elementary, middle, and high school teachers - Local government and administrative officials - Those involved in multicultural coexistence - Welfare and education professionals - Those interested in supporting young carers - Those interested in supporting children with foreign roots

Organization Overview - Organization Name: NPO Tomokura (Non-Profit Organization Tomo ni Kurasu) - Representative Director: Aziz Ahmed - Phone: 080-4164-9615 - Location: Room 302, 3rd Floor, KAWA BUILDING, 1-4-1 Sumiyoshicho, Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture 371-0021 - Established: August 29, 2023 - Web: https://tomokura.org - Email: [email protected]

History of the Organization - 2019: Presented young carer experiences at the elementary and junior high school principals' meeting - 2020: Joint research with Associate Professor Ai Takeuchi of Kyoai Gakuen University - 2021: Created over 30 multilingual videos on 'Elementary School Supplies' - 2022: Interviewed for NHK program on Language Young Carers; featured in an English article on NHK World - 2023: Teacher training sessions at high schools; panelist at multicultural events; finalist in Gunma Innovation Award; calligraphy event for children with foreign roots - 2024: 'kodomo picture book' phase 1 and 2; NHK WORLD-JAPAN documentary (Where We Call Home); hosted Tomokura School (8 times/month during summer); school supply videos (Japanese, English, Spanish, Chinese); hosted Tomokura School (4 times/month during winter) - 2025: Hosted Tomokura Cafeteria (7 sessions); Tomokura School (4 times/month during summer); produced high school advancement guidebooks; JICA Fund utilization project 'Teacher Training' - 2026: 'Tomokura' officially registered as a trademark with the Japan Patent Office