14 Best Foreign Languages and Literatures Master's Degree Programs in Japan for 2024

Upon successful completion of the study program students receive an international private Master of Arts (MA) in Liberal Studies degree awarded by the school's main campus in Zurich, Switzerland, based on the recommendation of the faculty of the local campuses where credits were earned, and upon the recommendation of the school's Academic Council.

The Master’s program of the Graduate School of Letters is based on a curriculum that packages lectures and seminars, with the aim of providing guidance to graduate students to enable them to study basic specialist knowledge in their particular fields. The School offers an optimal environment for carrying out research, as it provides libraries and seminar rooms for each major, as well as highly individualized guidance for the students.

a本研究科では、東アジア文化、南アジア文化、日本文化を中心としたアジア文化研究を行うことができます。比較文化的視点、多文化共生的視点を基礎として広くアジア及び日本の文化を理解する能力を持ち、社会の要請に応じることのできる人材を育成します。

The Graduate School of International Cultural Studies has established a "mutual understanding of cultural diversity and coexistence and creation of cultures" as an educational philosophy and has established the purpose of education and research to foster a global sense and respect and create local history and culture. it was done. "International Cultural Studies" is an interdisciplinary study of human "culture" from various aspects. Therefore, the staff of this graduate school is faculty members with various specialized fields such as philosophy, history, political science, literature, language, anthropology, sociology, economics, pedagogy, regional studies, design studies, and tourism town planning. I have it. We look forward to working with you to explore the international challenges of culture and the discovery and creation of local culture in the new era, with a global perspective and local awareness of issues.

Today's world is entering an era of interdependence. Japan is a part of this system of global cooperation. However, it is also an era of wars, political strife, and many economic and environmental problems that cause disruption of societies' well-being. In order to deal with this complex international environment, there is a need for people trained in international affairs. This faculty hopes to equip people with the understanding of other cultures and languages necessary to meet future challenges. In the future, Japan will continue to be deeply involved with both the West and Asia. Knowledge of the languages and cultures of both these areas will become increasingly important. In response to these future needs, the faculty has attempted to structure its curriculum around the study of these two areas.

To train human resources and researchers with diverse communication skills in line with the age of globalization and information technology.

In the Japanese Philosophy field, students approach Japanese language ranging from classical Japanese prior to 8th century to modern Japanese including dialects from multiple points of view. On the other hand, in the Japanese Literature field, students deeply study ‘waka’ and other forms of traditional poems and novels dating back to the ancient times to the late modern period, analyzing and evaluating them.

The goal of the School of Foreign Studies is to provide students with an advanced level of understanding and expertise in one of four research areas and to give them a solid framework for a future career in their chosen field. The school offers a two-year interdisciplinary master's program in foreign studies that can be tailor-made to meet students' career goals. Classes usually take place in the evening for students who work during the day; however, scheduling is flexible and can be changed to accommodate the needs of individual students. Registered foreign students are eligible for student visas.

The Master's Program in Japanese Literature and Calligraphic Culture has a curriculum combining literature, the voice of the spirit, and calligraphy, the graphical expression of the spirit. The program develops practical researchers and research-oriented practitioners who can play a leading role in responding to an era of spirituality, internationalization, and lifelong learning.

Graduate Program in Japanese Literature aims to enrich and develop Onomichi literature and art history and to foster people who willfully contribute to society. This program focuses on the following: (1) Japanese ways of consideration and comprehensiveness of language culture This program explores the origin of Japanese literature / culture that has created the characteristics of the Japanese language. (2) Restoration of communication with human beings, history, environment, and nature Onomichi has a traditional art culture consisting of beautiful nature and enriched historical environment. Essential research and investigation of Japanese literature and culture could be an important starting point to promote precise human nature and expressive sensitivity. (3) Realization of genuine internationalization High-level adults and/or vocational specialists with genuine global sense are prospective resources to contemporary society.

Acquire specialized knowledge in Japanese literature, linguistics and calligraphy. Along with carrying out instruction and research that values the importance of experiencing the best works of literature, we have established a program to assist with students' path after graduation.

The remarkable progress of globalization and the advancement of the information age in recent years has created immense opportunities to communicate with people, groups, and organizations around the world who have different cultural backgrounds. As a result, the complexity and difficulty of reaching a consensus and developing mutual understanding with such people are becoming clear. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to train students not only to acquire linguistic and negotiation skills, but also to become knowledgeable about the historical, social, and economic backgrounds of various cultures, as well as to develop a deep interest and understanding of humanity. Such training is the educational goal of the Master's Program in Language, Culture, and Communication of the Graduate School of Literature.

We cover almost all eras and fields of Japanese literature, and in addition have specialists in Japanese linguistics, teaching the Japanese language, and ancient Chinese thought. More than a century has passed since our school’s founding, and during that time we have gathered a rich collection of books of which we are very proud. In the field of Japanese literature, our Yamagishi Collection and Kurokawa Collection are particularly famous, with their valuable classic books, and researchers from outside Jissen come to view both of these collections. The Japanese literature program of the graduate school does not end with a master’s degree, but goes on to a doctoral program, so for all of our students, obtaining a doctor’s degree is not a mere dream. We also have a system of official credit exchange with the graduate schools of Seikei University and Chuo University.

The Master's program is divided into three courses. Educators working in research and teaching amount to three times the number of students enrolled. The Japanese Literature major mainly researches classical literature, contemporary literature, and Japanese language studies. Graduate students choose specialties from among the following: ancient times (Nara Period), medieval times (Heian Period), the middle ages (Kamakura and Muromachi Periods), early modern times (Edo Period), contemporary times (Meiji Period and thereafter), or Japanese language studies; but it is also possible to study across multiple periods. The English Literature and English Education programs include three fields. The English literature field focuses mainly on English and American literature, Studies in Language and Culture, and the English language field uses connectives and pragmatics as samples of the linguistic culture of various English-speaking countries for research. The English education field cultivates English teachers who can contribute to inter-cultural exchange through the promotion of linguistic education using English. Furthermore, the English education course meets the needs of current teachers (elementary, junior high, and high school teachers) by offering programs with flexible schedules, such as lectures at night, so that teachers can attend while continuing to work. The international culture field mainly focuses on local culture and international culture. Graduate students specialize in set regions of Europe or Asia, or in the systems and relations between certain regions and countries. In addition, the Doctoral programs established for the Japanese Literature, English Literature, and English Education programs enhance specialization even further.