The many faces of English Medium Instruction in Japanese universities: Introducing ‘EMI-local’

Abstract This paper outlines the implementation of EMI in Japan. Beginning with a brief history, it then describes EMI in Japan from three perspectives; as government policy, at the institutional level, and how it is implemented in the classroom. In doing so, it provides examples from EMI initiatives and representative institutions. It then introduces ‘EMI-local’, which we argue is a way to clearly categorize the way in which EMI is carried out in many tertiary institutions throughout Japan. Finally, it discusses issues that affect the successful implementation of EMI-local, and how programs might move more towards ‘EMI proper’.