Education chief Atsuko Toyama said Tuesday her ministry will set up a committee of experts in July to propose ways to prevent too many imported words from entering the Japanese language.
"There is a worry that the beauty of traditional Japanese language may be tarnished due to thoughtless use of imported words, which has been increasing in recent years," the minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology said at a news conference.
Toyama said imported words are hard for people not familiar with them to understand and that the increasing use of such words could hinder foreigners from learning proper Japanese.
The committee will think of Japanese words that could substitute for imported words, she said.
The move is supported by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who has previously warned of the increasing use of imported words, she said.