Abstract: On the basis and framework of Tou Tsuji(Chinese interpreter), the Chinese language education system in modern Japan was formed. The most important educational institution in the early stage was the Tokyo Foreign Language School, which was founded 1873. Historically, it is generally divided into two stages, or two periods, from June 1873(also said by some to be August)to 1886, generally known as the Old Tokyo Foreign Language School(referred to as “Old Foreign language”). It was revived again in 1899, on a more orderly scale, and lasted until after World War II(commonly referred to as the “New Foreign Language”). The Chinese Department in the school is the largest government-run Chinese language education institution in modern Japan. Compared with the foreign language education of the Western system such as English, French and German, which had the function of spreading civilization at the same time, Chinese language education was basically just a practical language education in the fields of diplomacy and trade. An investigation of the evolution of Tokyo Foreign Language School and the relevant government-run Chinese language education institutions can roughly grasp the historical context and basic characteristics of the evolution of Chinese language education in modern Japan.

Key words: modern Japan, Chinese language education, Chinese Department of Tokyo Foreign Language School, modern Japan and China, foreign language education