Recent studies by the Management and Coordination Agency of the Japanese government and the Japan Overseas Educational Services (JOES) reveal that Japanese students returning from overseas want to retain their foreign language, and that a majority undertake various maintenance activities. Maintenance classes are widely adopted. Research indicates preferences for instructional methods and elements desired to improve the classes. Four types of maintenance classes exist. They include the following: private organization offerings, volunteer group offerings, district educational board classes, and classes offered as part of the school curriculum at special "Ukeireko" schools with a quota for returnees. Based on these findings, features of a desirable maintenance program include opportunities for intercultural encounters, class placement based on proficiency rather than age, accessible location, more class sessions per week, qualification standards for teachers and students, and emphasis on interaction-based instructional methods and materials appropriate to the Japanese culture. It is concluded that while the opportunities for enhancement and maintenance are somewhat limited, they do exist and there is evidence that quality and quantity will increase both inside and outside the schools. (MSE)