When asked by high school students, “What is the Department of Japanese Studies? What do you do?” I reply by saying, “Thank you for taking an interest. Everything begins with that interest.” The question, “What is culture?” is a directional question towards humans. It eventually connects with questions such as, “I wonder what kind of people they are,” “I wonder what their lifestyle is like,” “I wonder what they desire, what makes them happy, and what they cry about.” In this department, such questions are directed toward “Japan and the Japanese people,” which, for the majority of people in this department, is their world.

As we are now in the 21st century, the world is largely fluctuating and Japan is a part of that movement. There are many stages within this department that provides the power to look at this changing Japan, deeply from the inside and objectively from the outside.

Students in the Department of Japanese Studies primarily deepen their understanding of Japan through studying Japanese culture, literature, and language. While becoming aware of the characteristics of the Japanese language through comparative studies with other languages, this unique department allows students to conduct broad research into the language and culture of Japan by shifting attention to the universal aspects of language, treating Japanese as a foreign language in order to seek out effective ways to teach Japanese to foreigners, and exploring the various forms of Japanese literature and culture by analyzing written text, fine art, and entertainment.

Furthermore, earning credits is structured around the needs of students. Students can either choose one area of concentration from Japanese cultural studies, Japanese literature, Japanese language studies, and Japanese language education, or they can choose an integrated approach of the four areas. Students can also cultivate expressiveness and understanding through pragmatic training, such as “interactive communication” and “expressive writing.” Finally, there is the option for students to participate in the on-campus special Japanese language classes for foreign exchange students where students are exposed to the actuality of Japanese language education, and where they can receive hands-on training in teaching Japanese.