School Policy

The School of Global Japanese Studies aims to promote international education and to train students who can contribute to the global community, based on their thorough knowledge of Japanese and international studies, as well as international academic exchange.

The School of Global Japanese Studies focuses on Japanese studies from a global perspective. In addition to traditional Japanese culture, the school provides education and research on contemporary Japanese culture, an area of study that is attracting worldwide attention today. The school also focuses on Japanese social systems, including aspects of business, industry and society. The school further emphasizes intensive English language education and international studies. These programs are intended to enable students to understand other cultures and societies, become aware of Japan’s place in the world, and actively share their knowledge about Japan with others.

Based on an educational policy that focuses on strengthening each individual, the School aims to develop multifaceted individuals who can contribute to the global community. We aim to provide a deep understanding of Japanese culture and social structure, as well as practical English and Japanese language skills, which will enable students to effectively express their opinions and convey information. In today’s globalized society, we aim to develop students with an understanding of Japan who seek to share valuable information with the global community from this perspective.

The School of Global Japanese Studies grants a bachelor’s degree in Global Japanese Studies to students who study for the required period and attain 124 credits according to the university regulations. The program is carefully designed based on the following goals:

(1) Students will acquire the ability to disseminate knowledge globally through their studies on Japanese culture and tradition, contemporary Japanese culture, and Japanese social systems.

(2) Students will acquire broad and accurate knowledge of international relations, cultures, societies, economies, and histories of other countries.

(3) Through extensive English and Japanese education, students will acquire advanced language skills such as thinking critically, communication and presentation of information and ideas. This will enable students to play an active role in the global community.

(4) Students will acquire advanced communicative skills in the Japanese language, which forms the basis of Japanese culture.

(5) Through experiences in our community of students with diverse cultural backgrounds and by studying abroad, students will acquire intercultural understanding, practical foreign language ability, and the ability to work in a diverse community. 

The curriculum aims to promote an intensive English language and international liberal arts education so that students can contribute actively to the global community with confidence and sensibility. In addition to Japanese traditional culture, the curriculum features contemporary Japanese culture, which currently attracts the world’s attention. The foundation for the transmission of these— knowledge of the Japanese language as well as the corporate and social systems operating in Japanese society—is also featured in the curriculum.

Students in the Japanese Track are required to take the following courses in their first and second years: “English,” “Japanese” (international students only), “Introduction to Global Japanese Studies,” “Academic ICT Literacy,” “Academic Writing in Japanese, and “Basic Seminar in Global Japanese Studies.”
Students in the English Track (a program that enables students to earn a degree in English) are required to take the following courses in their first and second years: “Introduction to Global Japanese Studies,” “Research Paper Writing,” “Speech and Presentation,” “Academic ICT Literacy,” “Basic Seminar in Global Japanese Studies,” and “Introduction to Academic Studies and Career Development.”
In their third and fourth years, there are no required courses for Japanese Track and English Track students. Students can choose a wide variety of courses in Global Japanese Studies as well as General Studies, based on their interests. Students can also take some seminar subjects specializing in research and practical activities (Seminar A/B/ C/D) from their second year.

(1) First-year courses focus on developing active learning skills by learning, through a range of materials and media, a variety of skills such as information literacy, writing reports, making presentations, and conducting research. These subjects include “Academic ITC Literacy,” “Academic Writing in Japanese,” and “Basic Seminar in Global Japanese Studies.”

(2) In the second, third, and fourth years, students can enroll in small-size “Seminar” courses in specialized fields. In these courses, students learn about their specialization through in-depth discussions with faculty and other students. Full-time faculty are in charge of these courses encouraging students to participate actively and look ahead to their future career paths.

(3) To develop knowledge of the broad areas of Global Japanese Studies, Global Japanese Studies courses are offered in seven research fields: Pop Culture Studies, Social Systems and Media Studies, Global and Inter/Transcultural Studies International Culture and Thought Studies, Japanese Culture and Thought Studies, Japanese Language Studies, and English Language Studies. These research fields are carefully designed so students can study systematically and take courses across different fields. Among these research fields, we offer specialized courses, including Japanese traditional culture, contemporary Japanese culture often referred to as “Cool Japan,” the mass media, and the content industry. The School promotes regional studies, comparative cultural studies, and international relations in addition to Japanese Studies. We aim to develop students who have a vision of Japan’s role within the world while having a flexible understanding of cultures outside of Japan.

(4) For first and second-year Japanese Track students, there is an intensive English language program, a required program that aims to develop a range of communication skills in English. Small-sized classes (approximately 20 students) are organized by English proficiency level.

(5) In specialized subjects, students frequently practice academic activities in Japanese, such as research presentations, discussions, and report writing. This cultivates advanced critical thinking abilities, a sense of judgment, and expression skills.

(6) Japanese language courses are not mandatory for English Track students, but we encourage students to take part in these courses. Small-size classes are held for various proficiency levels.

(7) To acquire intercultural understanding and practical English skills, Japanese Track students and English Track students must earn a certain amount of credits from English lecture courses, taking classes together.

(8) As an opportunity to enhance students’ understanding of Japan from different perspectives, to promote international awareness, and to develop practical foreign language skills, students are encouraged to study abroad. We offer a Study Abroad/Academic Internship Program, an opportunity for students to spend one or two semesters of the second or a later year studying at a foreign university. Credits earned during these study abroad programs are approved for credits in the School under certain conditions.

(9) In the project-based course “Practicum in Global Japanese Studies,” international students from various countries and Japanese students have the opportunity to work together in and outside of class and inspire each other. Project themes include intercultural exchanges and Japanese Studies outside of Japan.

The School of Global Japanese Studies aims to develop students who can contribute to the global community in this era of rapid change. The program is designed to help students acquire a deep understanding of Japanese culture and society and to provide extensive knowledge of various regions of the world. Students are expected to gain the ability to effectively express themselves and convey information in English and Japanese, and the willingness to use this ability actively. For this purpose, in addition to traditional Japanese culture, the School provides education and research on contemporary Japanese culture and social systems such as companies and industries which attract worldwide attention today. In addition, the School also provides intensive language education and cross-cultural education, as well as education and research on international culture and social education.

(1) Those who seek to explore Japanese culture from an interdisciplinary perspective, as represented in art, literature, manga, animation, performing arts, movies, fashion, philosophy, and religion.

(2) Those who are interested in the corporate and industrial systems operating in Japanese society and who intend to investigate the principles of these systems.

(3) Those who are interested in various issues in international relations and the cultures, societies, economies, and histories of different regions of the world, and who seek to cultivate a global perspective.

(4) Those who seek to develop a good command of the Japanese and English languages and the ability to think logically in Japanese and English.

(5) Those who seek to take part in the global community with an understanding of Japan from this global perspective.

(6) Those who are interested in international cultures and experiencing international exchanges to contribute to the promotion of an intercultural society.

(7) Those who see the Japanese language as the basis of Japanese culture, and are motivated to receive advanced education in and gain knowledge of the Japanese language.

Applicants for the Japanese Track need to possess the four fundamental English skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking when they start the program at the School. Consequently, the result of the English examination is highly evaluated for Admissions.
Applicants for the English Track (program in which students can obtain a degree in English) are not required to have Japanese language skills when they start the program. However, students are expected to possess advanced English skills needed for taking English classes.
Students are also expected to possess general academic skills when they start the program. They are expected to have gained the ability to organize a wide range of knowledge and to be able to explain this logically.