Principal Ezoe established SNG in 1975 and devoted nearly half a century to teaching Japanese to international students. Driven by the question, “How can students learn Japanese more effectively?” he developed the innovative “Ezoe Method,” which visualizes parts of speech. This approach has become a crucial tool for helping learners acquire Japanese more efficiently.

On December 18, 2024, Mr. Takahide Ezoe, Chairman and Principal of Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute (SNG), passed away. He had been battling cancer for three years.

Over the years, Principal Ezoe welcomed students from around the world, even during times when there were few international students in Japan. He is widely recognized as a pioneer in the field of Japanese language education. Beyond this, he contributed significantly to deaf education and educational support for refugees in Japan, earning the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award in 2023.

While his passing leaves us with profound sorrow, the faculty and staff of SNG are united in continuing his legacy with a shared passion and dedication to the Japanese language.

Message for Everyone
From December 23, 2024, a memorial altar for Principal Ezoe will be set up at SNG’s Building 1 (2-9-7 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku, Tokyo). Those who wish to leave a letter, offer flowers, or pay their respects are kindly invited to visit during business hours. Additionally, if you wish to post a message on social media (X, Instagram, Facebook, etc.), we would greatly appreciate it if you include the hashtags #Ezoesensei or #江副先生

Thank you for your continued support.