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Education for "Japanese Culture & Japanese Language"at AGU

Best environment for learning "Japan"

AGU is located at the heart of Japan, where you can experience both cutting-edge and traditional cultures first-hand, and we also have a great variety of courses for both full-time international students and exchange students.

We have eleven faculties and twenty-seven departments for bachelor's degrees, and eleven graduate schools for MA and PhD. We offer lectures covering a wide range of subjects, such as Japanese politics, law, economy, management, society, history, philosophy, culture, literature, art, media, international relations, international cooperation, environmental issues and science & technology.

For full-time international students, we have a splendid study environment where you can pursue in-depth knowledge of the subject you choose as a member of the department. For exchange students, there are plenty of exciting opportunities to explore Japan from different perspectives. You can choose whatever lectures you find interesting. You can earn credit by taking Japanese lectures alone or by taking both Japanese and English lectures.

We have a Japanese language course which is divided into seven levels for exchange students. You can improve reading, writing, listening and speaking effectively through quality learning.
We are more than pleased to be a part of your academic journey and looking forward to meeting you in person at this beautiful campus!

Education for "Japanese Culture"at AGU

At AGU, there is an introductory course on Japanese culture, designed as a starting point for learning about “Japan.”

  1. Society and Culture of Japan (Aoyama/Sagamihara Campus)

    Starting in the 2024 academic year, we have established a program aimed at deepening exchange students' understanding of Japanese culture, society, and Japan's place in the world (including subjects like the Japanese language, Japanese culture, and Japanese society).

    Courses will be offered in both English and Japanese. Please note that some courses may have prerequisites regarding Japanese language proficiency. Be sure to check the syllabus for details.

  2. Introduction to Japanese Culture (Sagamihara Campus)

    This course is a general introduction to Japanese culture and society. First, we will examine research methodologies to Japanese culture. Second, we will cover Japanese cultural elements, including art,skill, cuisine, literature, communication, etc. Third ,we will look at some of the major spiritual elements that have shaped modern Japanese culture and society, including Shinto, Buddhism, syncretism, the Western influences, and Confucianism. Fourth, students are required to make presentation and discussion.

  3. Japanology B (Aoyama/Sagamihara Campus)

    To learn other country’s culture is important. It means beginning of mutualunderstanding.
    You are able to study Japanese traditional culture.(FloralArrangement ,Calligraphy , Tea Ceremony and so on ) from experts .
    International students and Japanese students study this course together.
    It will realize international cultural exchange.
    Japanese students who want to be active abroad should take this course.

  4. Literature B (Aoyama Campus)

    In the second half of the class, we will focus on the Muromachi and Tokugawa periods texts and read a variety of selected works from these two periods. Nō Stage such as “Birds of Sorrow”, and “Three Poets at Minase” from the Muromachi Period; and Sections from Matsuo Basho, including “The Narrow Road of Oku,” “The Love Suicides at Sonezaki” by Chikamatsu Monzaemon, and Waka and haiku of the Tokugawa Period. The one-year long class allow you to get a general picture of pre-modern Japanese literature and the elements that nourished the Japanese culture.

  5. Traditional Industries (Aoyama Campus)

    This course examines major trends in Japanese literature and arts from its beginnings through the modern period. It highlights how Japanese culture developed in intense dialogue with nature, and offers the context of how cultural production has been embedded in an environment that was immersed in awareness of past belletristic rhetorics. Concentrating on close reading of “Japan and the Culture of the Four Seasons,” an overview of Japanese literature, culture and arts as well as some traditional industries, we focus in particular on the topic of “Nature” and on the characteristic dynamics that developed between the natural environment and the socio-cultural landscape in Japan.

  6. Topics in Japanese Studies (Aoyama Campus)

    This course aims to outline and analyze the Cool Japan strategy from the Japanese government. Students will learn basic concepts related to Cool Japan at a global level, such as “soft power” or “kawaii (cute).” At the end of the semester, students will propose an improvement plan of how to promote Japan to the world in a final presentation and report.

"Discover Japan: In-Depth and Specialized Studies"

Explore In-Depth Courses on “Japan” at AGU

  1. Lecture on Japanese Literature (B) (Aoyama Campus)

    The aim of this course is to deeply understand modern Japanese culture by experiences of Japanese modern literature related skills and technologies. This course will consist of a full-time teacher’s lectures and guest speakers’ instructions. The instructor of the course will lecture on how modern technologies impacted Japanese literature. The guest speakers, who are experts of a variety of fields, will lecture on each of the topics in a pragmatic approach.

    [IMPORTANT] Due to the restriction of college funding, The class is EXCLUSIVELY designed for international students (including international exchange students). IF YOU ARE NOT AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT, PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER.

  2. Economic and Industrial Development Policy in Postwar Japan (Sagamihara Campus)

    In this course, features of Japanese economic and industrial development will be examined. Particular attention will be paid at the historical trend of Japan’s economic development and the role of economic policy.

  3. Modern Japanese Culture(Aoyama Campus)

    The course will question discourses of modern Japanese identity in the critical spirit of cultural studies. The students will reexamine and enrich their experience of modern Japanese culture through reading of texts on the topic written by international body of experts. The students are required to prepare presentations about their favorite films, games, TV shows, music, sports or other products of Japanese popular culture, and explain in detail why and how those contents are attractive for global audiences.

  4. Introduction to Japanese Politics and Society (Sagamihara campus)

    The course seeks to introduce students to the fundamental political, economic and social components of modern Japan through tracing its historical development from the end of the Pacific War in 1945 up until the present. Through a comprehensive and global approach, students will learn of the major developments that have shaped Japan on the way from its struggle to rebuild after the war to its rise as a major economic and cultural power in the contemporary world. The course will cover not only the transformation of the state and social systems, but also the impact of these on the lives and culture of the population.

  5. Travel and Tourism in Contemporary Japan (Aoyama Campus)

    Tourism is regarded as the pillar of Japan's economic growth strategy, and one of the main components of the regional revitalization. The students of this class will learn to understand the present conditions of our country’s international and domestic tourism, and how they are contributing to the society and the economy.

    In the class, some of the popular tourist destinations and tourism facilities will be introduced, as well as the major stakeholders in the tourism industry, including hotels, ryokan,transportations and tourism organizations. Discussion will also extend to tourism management and policy making of present-day Japan.

  6. Intercultural Communication (Aoyama Campus)

    This course helps students deepen their understanding of the concepts and theories of intercultural communication.

Education for "Japanese Language"at AGU

In AGU's Japanese language courses, based on curriculum policies, while valuing the identity of each foreign student, Japanese language professionals who possess comprehensive Japanese language communication skills to build relationships by overcoming different languages, cultures, and values are being developed.Specifically, classes and support programs are being developed that allow foreign students to engage in Japanese language studies from three perspectives: (1) promoting understanding of Japan's rich language and culture and the language and culture of foreign students themselves; (2) cultivating Japanese language abilities to support specialized learning from a broad perspective; and (3) fostering co-creativity to work together with people to solve problems across nationalities and attributes.

From the 2024 academic year, Japanese courses for exchange students changed as follows.
1) Students with CEFR-A1/A2 level or higher can take credited Japanese courses (Aoyama campus: Level I to VII Sagamihara Campus: Level I to VI).
2) Students with below CEFR-A1/A2 level are placed at non-credited Japanese language classes taught in English (for beginners).

Attractive content and rich level organization

Japanese courses for exchange students have levels I to VII at Aoyama Campus and levels I to IV at Sagamiahara campus. If you are staying for two semesters, you will move to the next level automatically. Subject names and levels, and guidelines are as follows.

Aoyama Campus
Subject Name Level Guideline Contents and Targets
Japanese I CEFR-A1 The goal is to review the learning items at the middle beginner level and to acquire the late beginner level.
Japanese II CEFR-A2 The goal is to review the learning items at the late beginner level and to acquire the early intermediate level.
Japanese III  CEFR-B1 The goal is to review the learning items at the early intermediate level and to acquire the middle intermediate level.
Japanese IV CEFR-B2 The goal is to review the learning items at the middle intermediate level and to the late intermediate level.
Japanese V CEFR-C1 The goal is to review the learning items at the late intermediate level and to acquire the early advanced level.
Japanese VI CEFR-C2 The goal is to review the learning items at the early advanced level and to acquire the middle advanced level.
Japanese VII CEFR-C2 The goal is to review the learning items at the middle advanced level and to acquire the late advanced level.
Subject Name Level Guideline Contents and Targets
Japanese I CEFR-A1 The goal is to review the learning items at the middle beginner level and to acquire the late beginner level.
Japanese II CEFR-A2 The goal is to review the learning items at the late beginner level and to acquire the early intermediate level.
Japanese III  CEFR-B1 The goal is to review the learning items at the early intermediate level and to acquire the middle intermediate level.
Japanese IV CEFR-B2 The goal is to review the learning items at the middle intermediate level and to the late intermediate level.
Japanese V CEFR-C1 The goal is to review the learning items at the late intermediate level and to acquire the early advanced level.
Japanese VI CEFR-C2 The goal is to review the learning items at the early advanced level and to acquire the middle advanced level.
Japanese VII CEFR-C2 The goal is to review the learning items at the middle advanced level and to acquire the late advanced level.
Sagamihara Campus
Subject Name Level Guideline Contents and Targets
Japanese I CEFR-A2 The goal is to review the learning items at the middle beginner level and to acquire the late beginner level.
Japanese II CEFR-B1 The goal is to review the learning items at the late beginner level and to acquire the early intermediate level.
Japanese III  CEFR-B2 The goal is to review the learning items at the early intermediate level and to acquire the late intermediate level.
Japanese IV CEFR-C1 The goal is to review the learning items at the middle advanced level and to acquire the late advanced level.
Subject Name Level Guideline Contents and Targets
Japanese I CEFR-A2 The goal is to review the learning items at the middle beginner level and to acquire the late beginner level.
Japanese II CEFR-B1 The goal is to review the learning items at the late beginner level and to acquire the early intermediate level.
Japanese III  CEFR-B2 The goal is to review the learning items at the early intermediate level and to acquire the late intermediate level.
Japanese IV CEFR-C1 The goal is to review the learning items at the middle advanced level and to acquire the late advanced level.

Introduction of main features

  1. To steadily acquire Japanese language skills

    Japanese language class for exchange students are offered four classes a week where students can learn the four skills of A: Listening, B: Speaking, C: Reading, D: Writing.You can take all of Japanese A to D, or you can take only some of them. However, exchange students for one year cannot move up to the next level in the second semester if they did not take the courses in the first semester.

    Society and Culture of Japan
    The goal is to deepen understanding of Japanese culture and society, as well as Japan in the world (Japanese language, Japanese culture, Japanese society, etc.).
    There will be courses offered in English and in Japanese.
    *There are no specific requirements for Japanese language proficiency, but some subjects may have certain requirements.

  2. Learning about language, culture, and society from multiple angles

    For long-term international students studying in faculties (1-4 years) and graduate schools (first semester doctoral courses and second semester doctoral courses), courses to acquire academic Japanese culture from the viewpoint of Japanese language and culture, and courses to acquire business Japanese needs for career paths after graduation are also established.

  3. Substantial learning support

    It also has a counseling service for learning support and a substantial learning support system, such as a student supporter, to help you spend a fruitful study abroad life in AGU.

Click here for the courses and credits of exchange students