Japanese Studies

Japanese Culture Program

"manga Culture A & B"　　Associate Professor FUJIMOTO Yukari

Japanese manga is becoming globally popular. How does manga differ from comics in other countries? The class focuses on understanding manga as a cultural form from a wide variety of perspectives. In section A, we will present the characteristics and theory of manga as a means of expression. In section B, we will focus on the role of manga in society. This includes studying the acceptance of manga in Japan, censorship, copyright, and the structure of the manga industry.

"Urbanism and Design A & B"　　Associate Professor MORIKAWA Kaichiro

When we travel abroad, what we see first is the city in that country. In the same way, people outside Japan are more interested in cities and modern buildings in this country than the Japanese imagine. In this class, we will review modern design and the history of architecture and cities in the West. This will provide a framework for examining the styles of the buildings and advertisements that constitute today’s streetscapes of Japan, street culture, and their relation to people’s lifestyles.

"Modern Japanese Literary Arts A & B"　　Professor YOSHIDA Etsushi

Through literature, we can learn about human beings. For this purpose, we will examine authors and their works in modern Japan from a variety of viewpoints. The class will explore the backgrounds of different authors and how they created their works. This knowledge will enable the class to reflect on current issues in society and culture.

"History of the Japanese Language A & B"　　Professor YAMAGUCHI Nakami

This class is designed to learn how the Japanese language has changed and reasons for these changes. Specifically, we will study the history of current Japanese by analyzing the following issues:

1. Kanji literacy
2. The use of kanji and kana in a single sentence
3. The decline of kakari-musubi (a way to emphasize meaning)
4. The role of Tokyo dialect as standard Japanese
5. The relationship between speech and writing
6. The importance of learning about the history of the Japanese language

"Cultural Studies in Budo (Japanese Martial Arts) A & B"　　Professor NAGAO Susumu

Japan’s budo is a culture based on the transformation of bujutsu (military arts), which developed from fighting techniques, to bugei (martial arts) during the Muromachi and Edo periods. It is internationally recognized in the same way as judo. In section A, you will study the development of budo from bujutsu and bugei, as well as the basic knowledge about kata (form) and ma (interval). In section B, you will explore how different types of budo have become internationally popular.

"Gender and Representation A & B"　　Associate Professor FUJIMOTO Yukari

When we analyze expressions, it is necessary to consider the role of gender. In this class, we will focus in particular on “girl’s comics”, as this area is currently internationally important. In section A, we will analyze in detail how transgender is expressed. In section B, we will focus on how love and work are represented. This will also include an analysis of movies and dance.

Japanese Social System Program

"Performing Arts A & B"　　Lecturer HAGIWARA Ken

Although there are many large cities in the world that have a number of theaters, Tokyo is unique because it provides access to performing arts of various genres for all ages and from many countries. In this class, we will describe the theaters in Tokyo that present programs in specific genres from traditional arts to modern performance. We will also examine the role of performing arts in Tokyo and provide an overview of their history in Japan. In section A, the focus will be on the historical development of performing arts until the modern period. In section B, the emphasis will be on the development of performing arts from the modern period to contemporary Japan.

"Otaku Culture A & B"　　Associate Professor MORIKAWA Kaichiro

Numerous of aspects of contemporary Japanese culture, including manga, animation, and games, have attracted International popularity. This has prompted the government to pay attention to them in terms of industry, culture and tourism. On the other hand, since these subcultures have been ignored by academics and education, they have not been thoroughly analyzed. In this class, we will explore this new area, focusing on the multi-dimensional relationship among, on the one hand, genre, creators and audiences, and on the other, the history of development, and characteristics unique to Japan.

"Japanese Cultural Traditions A & B"Professor WATARI Koichi

We will explore the traditions of Japan that constitute the historical background to today’s Japanese culture, particularly from the viewpoint of folk culture. In section A, the emphasis is on religions in Japan and the characteristics of Japanese beliefs, under the theme “Belief and Culture.” In section B, we will examine the Japanese and their culture in terms of how the country and its people are seen by others of different cultures.

"Edo Studies A & B"　　Professor YOSHIDA Etsushi

Historical literature written about the Edo Period by Mori Ogai is a key to learning about Edo. This class is designed to analyze and thus understand the nature of Edo, which we can see from Ogai’s texts and ideas, including the Abe Family and Sansho Dayu (Sansho the Steward). He established a new world of historical novels as a means of communicating his ideas with the help of historical facts.

"Japanese Philosophy A & B"　　Professor MINOBE Hitoshi

In this class, we will discuss Japanese philosophy during and after the Meiji period. In particular, we will focus on the philosophy of Nishida Kitaro and Nishitani Keiji. Their philosophies will provide new concepts that will be applicable to global understanding.

"Art Business A & B"Specially Appointed Associate Professor KOYAMA Tomio

A variety of arts exist in society. Literature, music, movies, performing arts, and fine art are enjoyed by a large number of people. However, the arts cannot be separated from the economic system. In the Art Business class, we will study the market system, focusing in particular on contemporary art.

"Japanese Social Systems A & B"　　Associate Professor SUZUKI Kenji

"In Japanese Social Systems, sections A and B, the class will focus on the politics, economy, and society of Japan. Various systems of Japan are compared with those of other nations, especially of the advanced nations in Europe, North America and Asia. We will also consider how such systems influence political issues and the current economic situation in Japan.

"Business Culture in Contemporary Japan A & B"　　Professor OGASAWARA Yasushi

This class examines the global paradox of the increasing recognition of differences while at the same time there is an emphasis on commonalities. In section A, we will analyze, from multiple perspectives, aspects unique to Japan based on the Japanese sense of identity, the Japanese language, and social systems. In section B, building on this knowledge, we will examine business culture management in the global environment and explore management systems that are able to recognize and work with different value systems.

"Japanese Manufacturing Management A & B"　 Associate Professor OH Jewheon

This class will focus on manufacturing, an area in which Japanese companies excel. Manufacturing includes production, development, procurement, and sales by manufacturing companies. Japanese manufacturing companies depend on the problem-solving capability of teams of highly skilled employees. This organizational capability is closely tied to the management philosophy of placing importance on employees, including long-term employment and education/training. The study of manufacturing in Japan can lead to a deeper understanding of Japanese society.

"Introduction to Mass Communication"　　Professor KANISE Seiichi

Today, the mass media, including newspapers, television, and the Internet, are essential to our lives. The purpose of this class is to explore the nature of the media and develop journalistic viewpoints and ways of thinking. This will enable us to understand more fully what is happening in Japan and the world. Using videos recorded for actual news broadcasts, we will analyze the history and theory of the media and current issues.

"Contents Industry A & B"　　Professor HASEGAWA Fumio

The contents industry is one of the growing areas in information-related industries. Rapidly advancing information and communications technologies have dramatically changed the methods of production, distribution, and appreciation of the contents. As a result, new business opportunities have opened up. In this class, we will study issues including the socio-economic context, contents policies, laws, and ethics. This will provide a basis for understanding the current situation in the contents industry such as movies, animation, and games.