Figma and Google: Transforming education for Japan’s K-12 students | Figma Blog (opens in new tab)
Figma and Google for Education are expanding their partnership to give Japan’s K–12 schools free access to Figma and FigJam through Chromebooks and Google Workspace for Education. The initiative aims to address students’ limited access to digital design tools and build skills in collaboration, visual communication, problem-solving, and creative expression. Districts can apply to deploy and manage Figma Enterprise licenses through Google’s admin console. ## Bringing Industry-Standard Design Tools to Japanese Schools - Japan has high household internet access, but digital design software is often restricted to computer labs or specific classrooms. - The partnership enables schools to provide Figma on students’ personal Chromebooks. - Schools can centrally manage Figma Enterprise licenses for free using Google’s administration tools. - Students can brainstorm, collaborate, prototype, and design with tools used in professional environments. ## Building Future-Ready Skills - Figma’s earlier US Chromebook partnership attracted applications from educators in all 50 states. - Students used Figma to: - Develop design concepts - Support nonprofit initiatives - Prototype apps for local government services - Teachers used FigJam for lesson plans, group projects, study guides, and interactive classroom activities. - Figma argues that design education strengthens complex problem-solving, collaboration, visual communication, and creative expression. - The company cites research linking strong design practices with faster revenue and shareholder-return growth. ## Supporting Japan’s Next Generation of Designers - Japan has a strong record of technological innovation, educational equity, and high graduation rates. - Despite these strengths, Japanese schools historically adopted computers more slowly than many other countries. - The government launched the GIGA School Program in 2019 to provide every student with a device and high-speed school connectivity. - Figma’s browser-based tools build on that infrastructure by adding accessible, collaborative design software to students’ devices. - Google describes the partnership as a way to expand creativity, collaboration, and opportunity for a new generation. Schools and districts in Japan can apply to bring Figma and FigJam into their classrooms, helping ensure that design and digital collaboration skills are available beyond specialized programs or computer labs.