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Earn your Bachelor's in Japanese from UM

Join one of the best Japanese language programs in the Northern Rockies. Our degree in Japanese ranks among the strongest programs in the northwestern U.S. It’s also one of the oldest — Former Ambassador to Japan Mike Mansfield started teaching courses about Japan at UM in the 1930s.

Our program offers rigorous Japanese language instruction, as well as courses on Japanese history, historical linguistics and popular culture, including film, manga and anime. You’ll also study Japanese literature of the classical, early modern and modern periods, as well as Japanese religion, political science, East Asian history and Chinese studies. When you graduate, you’ll better understand Japanese history, society, literature, religion and the Japanese way of life.

Our students and instructors interact closely, and faculty are deeply involved in academic advising and students’ career planning. Internships are strongly encouraged for practical experience, with the opportunity to attend multicultural events that further cement understanding and relationships. Japanese students also have several opportunities to study abroad at one of UM’s nine partner universities in Japan.

What can you do with a Japanese Language degree?

The options are wide open for Japanese language graduates. Since 1986, more than 95 UM graduates have been admitted to the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) program. Some have received teaching positions at the University of Colorado and the University of Iowa, while others work at Nintendo Europe, Amazon, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company and Activ8.

Many students continue their education by attending graduate school in international business, political science, history, computer science, forestry, pharmacy, creative writing, accounting and pre-law.

Japanese jobs

Potential career opportunities for graduates of the bachelor’s degree in Japanese include:

• Foreign service officer
• International trade specialist
• Secondary school teacher
• Tour guide
• Translator
• Editor

Alumni Success Stories

“I've gained a much deeper understanding of the culture and developed the necessary skills to thrive in an increasingly multicultural world. Thanks to Japanese program, I was able to study abroad for a semester in Tokyo, where my language skills improved, my knowledge of Japanese-American business relations flourished, and I made many lifelong connections.”

Allison Grigonis, , Class of 2021, Japanese and International Business

“UM’s Japanese Program has opened my eyes to new, global perspectives, and I have a better understanding of Japanese language, culture, history and politics, thanks to the caring faculty, excellent classes and constant support I have received.”

Lindsey Roosa, Class of 2021, Japanese

Experiential learning in the Japanese language program

UM’s Japanese program is synonymous with experiential learning. That’s because the program is all about people, culture and relationships. What better way to experience it all firsthand than through internships, networking and study abroad.

Internships and community service learning in the Japanese language program

Japanese students can participate in supervised internships in either Japan or the U.S. Furthermore, students can find various internship opportunities in Japan through ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú’s sister state partnership with Kumamoto and the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation.

Students interested in teaching English in Japan can gain internship experience at the Prefectural University of Kumamoto and prepare for the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET program) application. In the United States, students can intern at Activ8 Recruitment and Solutions, located in Chicago with branch offices across the country.

Study abroad opportunities for Japanese majors

Currently, UM has year-long study abroad programs at Tohoku University, Waseda University, Sophia University, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo University, Doshisha University, Kumamoto University, Prefectural University of Kumamoto and Nagasaki University. Students pay tuition to UM and take courses for UM credit at the Japanese institution. Many students have also participated in short-term summer programs in Japan.

Some Japanese majors who complete a year in Japan and achieve high levels of proficiency are hired as graders for lower-level Japanese language courses.

Conversely, each year, students from Japanese universities and high schools visit the UM campus. Students in our program interact with them in classes, language exchanges, cultural gatherings and fun outside the classroom. 

Learn more about study abroad opportunities at UM.

Career development in the Japanese major

Upon completion of the Japanese program, students have strong global competencies and cultural understanding and can seamlessly participate in multilingual communities and home and abroad. They’re especially effective in bilingual communication and can function in a variety of professional situations, including translation, localization and interpretation.

Networking and professional development in the Japanese degree program

UM encourages students to build community by delving into clubs, activities and events, and develop relationships that can lead to future employment. The Japanese language program is no exception, offering on campus and community activities such as:

• Japan and East Asia related events organized by the Mansfield Center
• Kumamoto Prefecture-related events
• Global Engagement Office activities and programming

Explore classes for Japanese degree program

The Japanese curriculum encompasses courses in everything from Japanese Language and Buddhism to Japanese Culture and Civilization, Japanese Film and Anime, Business Japanese and Advanced Japanese for Professionals.