Japanese Language and Culture Courses

Japanese language and culture courses are designed for international students to learn the necessary knowledge about Japanese language and society for their daily life, studying, and research activities at university. In the undergraduate curriculum, students will learn useful skills and methods for studying at university, such as how to write and express their opinions logically, while deepening their understanding of Japanese culture. In the graduate curriculum, various courses ranging from basic to advanced levels are offered for international students depending on their needs. Nihongo Space, an initiative offered by Japanese section, gives advice on how to study Japanese language, and offers various opportunities for conversation practice, tutoring in written Japanese, etc. in response to students' requests.

Featured Courses

Basic Japanese 1

Master's Degree Program (400-Level)

Japanese language course for students studying Japanese for the first time. The purpose is to acquire basic language ability for daily life, and to gain an understanding of Japanese society. Incorporating activities focused mainly on speaking and listening, students can improve their Japanese communication skills.

Associate Professor Reiko Sato

Master's Degree Program (400-Level)

Message from the teaching staff

This is the course taken by newly arrived international students. Those who do not understand any of the language will be able to learn most Japanese used in daily life. In addition to Master's and Doctoral Program students, many international exchange students also take this course, so it is an opportunity for cultural exchange among students of various nationalities.
Intensive Japanese Course

Master's Degree Program (400-Level)

This is an intensive Japanese language class for government-sponsored international research students (Monday to Friday: 8:50 to 12:20). University students may attend only if there is space available. In addition to classroom learning, there are field trips (Enoshima, Kamakura, etc.), cultural experiences (calligraphy, tea ceremony, etc.), and a Japanese language poster presentation at the end of the course.

Associate Professor Junko Morita

Master's Degree Program (400-Level)

Message from the teaching staff

Students are expected to intensively learn basic level Japanese (including learning kanji). By the end of this course, students will be able to acquire language skills required for oral presentation in simple Japanese. This course also functions as "a gathering space" or "a mutual learning space" for students of different cultural background, and offers them emotional support and a place to exchange information about life in Japan.
Japanese 1 GSEP

Undergraduate Degree Program (100-Level)

This is the Japanese course for GSEP(Global Scientists and Engineers Program) international students who study Japanese for the first time. The aim of this course is to help students acquire basic Japanese skills necessary for daily life, while deepening their understanding of Japanese society. Through class activities focusing mainly on speaking and listening, students are expected to develop Japanese communication skills.

Associate Professor (Lecturer) Midori Komatsu

Undergraduate Degree Program (100-Level)

Message from the teaching staff

Students who have never studied Japanese before will be able to understand basic Japanese used in daily life by the end of this course. During the class, students will practice talking about and listening to what they like or are interested in. The class is not only a place for GSEP students to study Japanese, but also is a place for friendly exchange.