Teaching about Japan and the world in a multifaceted way, and developing human resources who can share the appealing features of Japan with the world, from the standpoint of “Japan”

In the future, the number of people in Japan with overseas roots will grow more than ever before, making the country increasingly multilingual and multicultural. This will be a new era in which Japanese society as a whole will become one of co-existence. Therefore, we must develop human resources who can be active on both the local and global stages, with their eyes turned to Japanese regions and the world at large. With a focus on Japan, the Department of International Japanese Studies develops human resources who, having mastered a wide range of liberal arts related to Japan and the world and gained global knowledge, can share the appealing features of Japan with the world. Students also gain the ability to empathize with others, presentation skills utilizing high-level language capabilities, and the ability to engage in dialogues for building better human relationships. In this way, they can contribute to peaceful co-existence between Japan and the world.

The main language in the Department of International Japanese Studies is Japanese. Students work to gain high-level language skills in both Japanese and foreign languages (English) through the Major Language Program (Japanese), English Fundamental Program, and Minor Multilingual Program (English is required in the Department of International Japanese Studies). They engage in comprehensive learning in the Global Liberal Arts Program (Introductory/Practical), which includes fundamental and specialized knowledge of overall Japanese culture and global cultures (with a focus on Japan), as well as the ability to share information about Japanese culture; the Global Liberal Arts Bridge Course; and classes in the Global Japanese Culture Course and Global Japanese Communication Course. The Department of International Japanese Studies develops human resources who can invigorate communication between Japan and the people of the world and create new momentum for Japanese development in this era of a declining birthrate and ageing population.

In this course, students look objectively from different viewpoints at Japan’s history, culture, literature, traditional performing arts, and other subjects, by which they deepen their cultural and social knowledge of Japan. They organize the fragmentary knowledge they have gained in the past to re-examine Japan from a broader perspective.

Based on the standpoint of Japan as seen by the world, students study communication with Japanese people, communication with people from other cultures, journalism, discourse, criticism, English skills for sharing information about Japan with the world, and dialogue abilities (interpersonal skills).