The coursework available within the Japanese Studies program has been developed to span a variety of topics including Japanese communication strategies, business Japanese and Japanese culture and history.  Personal attention to quality education is an essential part of the program and the instructors take pride in the level of achievement of their students.

* The Department of Languages does not have a standing minor in Japanese Studies.  However, students are allowed to petition the Academic Council for a personalized minor.  We encourage students to submit the course for the personalized minor to the Academic Council during their freshman and sophomore year.*

Study Abroad in Osaka, Japan
The Center for Global Education at Chapman offers the possibility of studying abroad in Japan at Kansai Gaidai University.  Ideally located near Kyoto and Nara (ancient capitals) and Osaka (Japan's second largest metropolis), Kansai Gaidai is a four-year University with a respected Asian Studies Program administered by an internationally experienced staff.  A wide variety of courses taught in English are available focusing specifically on Japan and Asia as well as Japanese language courses ranging from beginning through advanced levels.  Japanese family home stay participation is available and highly encouraged.  Applications for either one semester or one full academic year are accepted and substantial merit scholarships are available to qualified students.  Students contemplating the Personalized Japanese Studies Minor and those actively pursuing it are strongly encouraged to spend at least one semester in Japan.  Students who participate in the study abroad program at Kansai Gaidai can transfer their language course credits to Chapman University to assist the completion of their personalized Japanese Studies minor.

JET Programme
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme aims to enhance foreign language education in Japan and to promote international exchange at the local level through fostering ties between Japanese and Foreign youth.  The program offers college and university graduates the opportunity to serve in local government organizations as well as public and private junior and senior high schools.  Participants are invited to Japan as representatives of their countries and are therefore expected to demonstrate a sense of responsibility in all their activities, especially those concerning the promotion of mutual understanding between nations.  Applicants should be adaptable and display a keen interest in Japan and its culture.  All participants of the JET Programme are given the opportunity to take advantage of a Japanese language course offered by the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations.  Within the last two years, three students from Chapman's Japanese classes were recipients of this highly competitive scholarship.