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日本語 • Japanese

Explore Japanese Studies

Learning Japanese unlocks rich cultural experiences, global career opportunities, and international connections. From traditional arts like tea ceremonies and calligraphy to pop culture phenomena like anime, manga, and video games, Japanese fluency offers deep cultural immersion. As a global leader in technology, robotics, and innovation, Japan is home to major industries that offer exciting professional paths. With 127 million speakers, Japanese ranks among the world’s most spoken languages—connecting you to one of the most influential societies in East Asia and beyond.

    World Languages and Cultures, B.A.

    Discover the power of language at Miami University. Our World Languages and Cultures BA blends modern languages, global cultures, and real-world skills to help you thrive in a connected world. Whether you're starting fresh or continuing your studies, this languages degree opens doors—from Oxford to across the globe.

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Why Study Japanese?

Studying Japanese equips students with the linguistic, cultural, and analytical tools necessary to engage meaningfully with one of the world’s most influential nations—enhancing academic inquiry, professional development, and global citizenship.

Engage with a Global Economic Power

Japan maintains the third-largest economy in the world and plays a central role in global trade, innovation, and policy. Proficiency in Japanese prepares students for impactful careers in international business, diplomacy, development, and global supply chain management, especially through engagement with companies like Toyota, Sony, and Nintendo.

Develop Interdisciplinary and Technological Expertise

With Japan leading in robotics, electronics, semiconductors, and biotech, Japanese language learners gain access to cutting-edge developments in science and technology. Students pursuing degrees in STEM, data science, or sustainability can leverage Japanese to enhance cross-border collaboration and research opportunities.

Gain Cross-Cultural Competence through Immersive Learning

Japanese studies provide rich insight into a society where ancient cultural traditions and global trends intersect. Learners explore topics ranging from philosophy and religion to anime, media, and design, supporting careers in education, arts, journalism, and cultural diplomacy.

Access Global Career Opportunities and Graduate Pathways

Japanese fluency opens doors to careers in government agencies (e.g., State Department, intelligence, foreign service), multinational corporations, non-profits, and academic institutions. Students gain a competitive edge for graduate programs in international studies, linguistics, East Asian studies, and global public policy, as well as scholarships, internships, and study-abroad placements in Japan.

Minor in Japanese

Our minor offers students an immersive introduction to Japanese language, literature, and culture, equipping them with essential skills for global communication, cross-cultural understanding, and professional success in East Asia and beyond.

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Beyond the Classroom

Learning Outcomes

  1. Employ correct and appropriate grammar, vocabulary, syntax, and style to describe personalities, events, and ideas in the past, present, future, and hypothetical situations;
  2. Contextualize cultural information in a manner that reveals familiarity with past and present trends and differences between one’s native culture and those of Japan;
  3. Construct a persuasive argument intelligible to native speakers of the language;
  4. Locate, analyze, evaluate, summarize, integrate, synthesize, and cite information and ideas from sources typically used in Japanese scholarly publications and professional types of writing in Japanese;
  5. Apply the grammatical, rhetorical, and cultural competencies outlined above to the types of writing typically used in the graduates’ intended professions.

Contact the Department

Irvin Hall South Entrance

Department of German, Russian, Asian, and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures

Irvin Hall 172
400 East Spring Street
Oxford, OH 45056-3645
United States
(513) 529-2526
 

Dr. Mila Ganeva, Chair
General Inquiries: gramelac@MiamiOH.edu