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Japanese Studies

Immerse yourself in Japanese culture and prepare to thrive as a global thinker. Explore our BA in Japanese Studies to learn about language, literature, film, religion, and history.

Program Snapshot

Degree Type

Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts

Program Type

Major, Minor

Credit Hours

124

Time to complete

4 Years

Campus

Salem

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Department Info
Three people in an educational setting, two seated young men and a standing teacher pointing at a piece of paper.

Our Japanese Studies Major & Minor

Embrace the art, traditions, pop culture, and history of Japan at Willamette. Whether you're interested in speaking the language fluently or learning more about the customs, our Japanese Studies major supports your goals.

Why choose Japanese Studies at Willamette?

  • Official partnership with Tokyo International University. TIU students study at Willamette, offering students a way to connect to Japanese culture on campus. Speak Japanese over meals, room with Japanese students, and volunteer at events like Sakura Matsuri.
  • Join culture-based clubs. Students can join student groups that focus on culture or start their own clubs on campus. Explore your passion for anime, J-pop, and manga with a vibrant community.
  • Study abroad options. We have a close partnership with TIU, which means students can explore study abroad options in Japan. Visit locations like Kawagoe, an Edo-period castle town northwest of Tokyo.

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Do you have questions about the Japanese Studies program at Willamette? Fill out this form and we'll get in touch!

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Student Success

Jaered Koichi Croes BA '08 launched his career while he was a student at Willamette. His Japanese culture and language blog -- Tofugu -- began as a self-directed project for credit and became a full-time job and a company with employees around the world.

Jaered's

Undergraduate blog charts path for future career

Willamette's close-knit alumni community and networking opportunities allowed Jaered to connect with Adam DuVander BA '01. That connection opened doors in the tech industry, helped Jaered land an internship, and launch an app that he now runs alongside Tofugu.

View Story
Staff at Tofugu
Croes interview
As a liberal arts university, Willamette encourages students to undertake independent projects like Jaered's blog. Pursuing opportunities beyond the classroom are a vital part of a Willamette education.

Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

Curious where this major can take you? These are the real internships, graduate opportunities, and careers our Japanese Studies students have gone on to.

  • A bamboo water fountain at Willamette University's Salem campus

    Internships & Graduate School Destinations

    • American University
    • Diversity Media Network
    • Empire Entertainment Japan (株)
    • Hawaii Pacific University
    • Kent State University
    • Michigan State University
    • Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
    • The Yokohama Theatre Group
    • Tokyo University
    • University College Cork
    • University of Hawaii at Manoa
    • University of Oregon
    • Waseda University
  • Taiko drummers play for a crowd at Willamette University

    Employment Outcomes

    • Amazon
    • Ascension
    • Benesse Corporation
    • EC Eikaiwa
    • Eighty Days Japan
    • ENLASO
    • Hawaii Department of Education
    • Japan-America Society of the State of Washington
    • Japan Exchange and Teaching Program
    • Kawagoe Education Center
    • Malvern College Tokyo
    • Moravia
    • Nike
    • TransPerfect

Alumni Stories

Our alumni have emerged as leaders in international business, foreign service, tourism, education, and law. They’ve pursued advanced studies at graduate school, and they’ve joined the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program to launch careers in Japan.

  • Headshot of a person with short, light blonde hair, wearing a white dress shirt and black necktie against a white background.

    Devon Patterson ‘22

    Expert in Japanese and intercultural communication
    Devon Patterson ‘22 holds a B.A. in Japanese Studies. With six years of experience interpreting between English and Japanese in both America and Japan, Devon has worked at international science fairs, conventions, and the 2019 Japan Microplastics Conference. Devon currently serving as an Assistant English Teacher for the JET Program in Minoh, Osaka, Japan.

Introducing Some of Our Faculty

Our professors have explored East Asian Studies and Social Sciences. They're fluent in foreign languages and have an extensive knowledge of Japanese culture. Connect with them one-on-one through small class sizes and research projects to find inspiration.

  • Meet Professor Fujiwara

    Dr. Miho Fujiwara is dedicated to fostering student success through teaching and mentoring in Japanese language and culture. She has earned multiple teaching awards and actively supports student research and extracurricular activities.

    Headshot of Dr. Miho Fujiwara

  • Meet Professor Warren

    Naoko Warren teaches elementary and intermediate Japanese at Willamette, emphasizing a student-centered and engaging approach to language learning. Her expertise includes second language acquisition, Japanese pedagogy, and extensive reading.

    Headshot of Naoko T Warren

Curriculum

Combine language with cultural studies to truly embrace Japanese Studies. Explore a variety of topics in Japanese Studies such as history, literature, art history, cinema, and religion. Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad through the Japan Study Program.

  • JAPN 434 Conversational Japanese II

    Boost your conversation skills with intensive training in both formal and informal styles, using authentic listening materials. Enhance your vocabulary and oral expression in a fun, culturally immersive environment.

  • JAPN 340 The Japanese Cinema

    Explore the world of Japanese cinema from its golden age to today, delving into iconic films and directors. Discover how these films reflect traditional aesthetics and the socio-political landscape of their times.

Program Requirements

Our Japanese Studies program requires 36 semester hours to complete the major, with a total of 124 credit hours required to complete the degree. This is comprised of 16 semester hours of Japanese Language courses, 16 semester hours of Japanese Culture courses, and 4 semester hours dedicated to the Senior Seminar.

Students pursuing a Japanese minor will need to complete 20 semester hours in Japanese language courses.

A group of students seated in desks reviewing a work paper

Admissions Information

Our Japanese Studies program is open to first-year students, transfer students and international students. Learn more about Willamette’s undergraduate admissions process to get started.

Three people engaged in discussion in an office with a wooden bookshelf and a map on the wall.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Willamette University is committed to supporting Japanese Studies majors with generous merit scholarships and financial aid. There is no separate application required for these scholarships. All admitted undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, starting at $28,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, taking into account cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if provided.

A closeup of hands typing on a laptop

FAQs

Yes, you can major in Japanese at Willamette. We offer a BA in Japanese Studies. Explore the study of Japanese language, culture, and society.

We also offer a Japanese minor.

Majoring in Japanese Studies can lead to career paths across various fields. Here are some potential career paths for graduates:

  • Translator/Interpreter: Facilitate talks between Japanese and non-Japanese speakers in business, legal, medical, or governmental settings.
  • Business Consultant: Help companies navigate the Japanese market and foster business relationships.
  • Foreign Service Officer/Diplomat: Represent your country in Japan, working in embassies or consulates to manage diplomatic relations.
  • Cultural Exchange Coordinator: Organize and manage cultural exchange programs to promote understanding between Japan and other countries.
  • Language Educator: Teach Japanese language and culture at schools, colleges, or language institutes.
  • Journalist/Foreign Correspondent: Report on news and events from Japan for media outlets.
  • Hospitality Manager: Work in travel agencies, hotels, or tourism boards to cater to Japanese-speaking clients.
  • Market Research Analyst: Analyze market trends in Japan to help companies make informed business decisions.
  • Nonprofit/NGO Worker: Engage in development, human rights, or cultural preservation projects related to Japan.
  • Technology Specialist: Work with Japanese tech companies or in roles that require Japanese language proficiency within the tech industry.
  • Academic Researcher/Professor: Conduct research and teach Japanese language, literature, and cultural studies.

The skills gained from a Japanese major are valuable in a variety of careers. Students develop a proficiency in the Japanese language and have a solid grasp of the culture in Japan. Additionally, many graduates pursue advanced studies or professional degrees to further specialize in their chosen fields.

Learn more about what you can do with a degree in Japanese studies.

Absolutely. In fact, the Japanese Studies department encourages it. Studying abroad is a great way to advance your Japanese skills and broaden your world view. With planning, a study abroad can count towards your major and minor and you can graduate on time.

Willamette is proud to have an official partnership with TIU, a private university with campuses in Ikebukuro and Kawagoe, Japan. Our English Language and American Studies program allows TIU students to study abroad for an academic year at Willamette.

Willamette has a ton of hands-on learning for Japanese Studies students. You can:

  • Participate at the Japanese Language Table to speak Japanese over meals.
  • Become a Language Partner with Japanese students through classes.
  • Become an International Program Assistant supporting administrative and co-curricular work. 
  • Tutor Japanese students who have enrolled in English and elective courses.
  • Live with or near Japanese students studying at Willamette.
  • Volunteer with Japanese students through Japan Studies Student Leaders for events such as Sakura Matsuri.
  • Participate in the Toyama Cup Japanese Speech Contest in Portland
  • Join JET application workshops

Willamette University

Japanese Studies