The Japanese language education industry has seen significant growth as Japan addresses challenges like an aging population and workforce gaps. With global talent increasingly drawn to Japan’s diverse industries, proficiency in Japanese has become essential for effective integration. Leading efforts in this space is Sonal Shah, whose work focuses on making Japanese language education accessible and practical. Through her initiatives, she has helped individuals build the linguistic skills needed to navigate Japan’s cultural and professional landscapes, enabling them to unlock opportunities and contribute meaningfully to various sectors across the country.

As the CEO of SONAJAPAN, Sonal Shah has redefined language education by introducing engaging, student-focused learning models. Beyond teaching Japanese, she fosters cultural understanding and bridges global connections. Under her leadership, SONAJAPAN has grown from a modest initiative to a thriving global platform. By reducing dropout rates and tailoring lessons to industry demands, she empowers professionals to excel in Japanese-speaking roles. Sonal’s innovative approach continues to inspire learners and reshape the landscape of language education and cultural exchange.

Below is an excerpt of Sonal Shah’s exclusive interaction with The Global Women Leader magazine.

A business leader’s journey is replete with challenges. What are the major challenges you encounter in your current role? How do you overcome the said roadblocks?

One of the significant challenges I face is managing dropout rates in Japanese language courses, primarily due to the complexity of Kanji and misconceptions about online learning. Students often start with enthusiasm but may lose motivation as lessons become demanding. Additionally, transitioning learners to online platforms post-pandemic was initially daunting, as many doubted the effectiveness of virtual instruction for such an intricate language.

To address these challenges, I engage in teaching beginner-level classes, ensuring a strong and enjoyable foundation. By making sessions interactive, dynamic, and tailored to individual learning paces, I’ve been able to maintain student interest and confidence. Our unique approach to teaching Kanji, which combines cultural context and historical depth, has become a hallmark of SONAJAPAN.

What began with a small batch of three students has grown exponentially, especially during the pandemic, with 250 enrollments in a year, showcasing the success of our methods.

In your opinion what have been the biggest ‘wins’ that you have achieved so far in your professional journey? What is your ‘success mantra’ as a leader?

The milestones in my journey are marked by unwavering honesty, consistency, and commitment, which are principles that have guided every step of my professional life. My biggest 'wins' stem from building trust, not through words but by delivering impactful results. Trust isn’t demanded, it’s earned through relentless effort and dedication. One pivotal achievement was creating a unique teaching methodology for Kanji, transforming what many consider the toughest aspect of Japanese into an engaging and approachable experience. This innovation has set SONAJAPAN apart, driving exponential growth and student success.

My success mantra is simple, ‘lead by example, maintain integrity, and remain committed to excellence’. Whether it's teaching, strategizing, or inspiring, I firmly believe that consistency builds credibility, and honesty fosters lasting connections. These values have not only driven SONAJAPAN's success but have also been the foundation of my leadership journey.

How do you foresee the business landscape evolving in Japan in 2025? How are women’s roles and representation evolving in Japan’s business world?

The business landscape in Japan by 2025 will be deeply influenced by its shrinking population and aging society. With birth rates declining and life expectancy rising, industries like labor, aviation, and manufacturing face workforce shortages. Japan increasingly relies on foreign talent, especially from India, where a growing trend sees engineering students mastering Japanese to access lucrative opportunities. This intersection of language proficiency and technical expertise promises significant growth for the Japanese language education sector.

"Sonal Shah empowers learners with language, bridging cultures & creating global connections through her passion, expertise & dedication"

Regarding women’s representation, Japan’s business world is gradually embracing gender diversity. Women are proving to be diligent, focused, and exceptionally adept in language-related fields. In industries like online education, they thrive by balancing professional ambitions with personal responsibilities. At our academy, female representation dominates, showcasing their natural aptitude and resilience.

Empowering women is essential to shaping a balanced, progressive society, and I actively encourage their participation. Women bring unique strengths that are invaluable to Japan's evolving business landscape.

SONAJAPAN Japanese Language Academy which operates in India and Japan offers some distinctive features and products

Features:

• Live Interactive & Integrated Online Sessions

• Virtual Zoom Premium Fully Equipped Classrooms

• 4K Quality VC System

• Digital Whiteboard/Chalkboard

• Homework Posting and Digital Checking with Guidance

• Google Portal Streaming Access for All Videos Conducted Sessions Till the End of Course

SJLA Products:

• JLPT N5 Level

• JLPT N4 Level

• JLPT N3 Level

• JLPT N2 Level

• Private Customized Course

• Conversation Program

• Corporate Assignment

• Technical Intern Training Program ( TITP)

• Corporate Training

• Translation Services

• Interpretation Services

Sonal Shah, CEO, Sonajapan

Sonal Shah is a Japanese language Instructor, Corporate Trainer, Business Japanese Trainer, and TITP NSDC license Holder with over 25 years of experience working with Japanese MNCs. She holds a JLPT N2 certificate and JAPAN FOUNDATION TTC (Teacher’s Training Course) and has taught Japanese for over 6 years globally. Her unique coaching style blends her language expertise, corporate experience, electrifying energy, and empathetic approach, empowering students to excel in their Japanese language journey.