Japanese is the ninth most spoken language in the world, used by more than 130 million people worldwide. An industrial powerhouse, Japan’s close trading and political relationship with the U.S. makes Japanese a Critical Language, as designated by the U.S. Department of State. Japan is also a prodigious exporter of culture, from its samurai history, to film, cuisine, art, and recently through anime and brands such as Uniqlo or MUJI. Japanese classes prepare students to participate in international experiences such as MIT-Japan.
Japanese Studies teaches language as a tool–to interact and communicate with people–the study of which must take place together with cultural learning. The student-focused Japanese Studies curriculum employs online and technological tools to meet student needs and continuously adapts innovative pedagogical methods to encourage students’ active improvement of listening, speaking, reading, and writing proficiencies. Japanese Studies at MIT also offers a wide variety of cultural courses, including popular culture and anime, music, history, and politics, allowing students to foster a high level of cultural fluency.
Japanese Studies may be applied to the Japanese minor and Concentration, as well as the major, minor, and Concentration in Asian and Asian Diaspora Studies. Learn more about the Japanese Concentration and minor program requirements at the Academic Programs page. Information on the Asian and Asian Diaspora Studies programs is available through SHASS. Advisors for these programs are below. Students uncertain what level of Japanese language to take should refer to placement information. Information on transfer credit is available here.
Japanese Concentration: Takako Aikawa
Japanese Minor: Hiromu Nagahara
Asian and Asian Diaspora Studies Concentration/Minor/Major: Sana Aiyar
Global Languages Japanese Studies group: Takako Aikawa | Masami Ikeda | Wakana Maekawa | Ayae Uwabu
Fall 2024
| 21G.S51/S57 | Japanese I (hybrid) |
| 21G.501/551 | Japanese I |
| 21G.S53 | Japanese III (hybrid) |
| 21G.503 | Japanese III |
| 21G.S55 | Special Subject: Japanese V (Hybrid) |
| 21G.510 | Project-based Japanese Learning with Multimedia |
| 21G.041 | Foundations of East Asian Literature and Culture: From Confucius to the Beats |
Spring 2025
| 21G.502 | Japanese II |
| 21G.S52/S58 | Japanese II (hybrid) |
| 21G.504 | Japanese IV |
| 21G.S54 | Japanese IV (hybrid) |
| 21G.S56 | Japanese VI (Hybrid) |
| 21G.062/562 | Gateway to Japanese Literature and Culture |
| 21G.065/593 | Japanese Media Cultures |
| 21G.554 | Inventing the Samurai |
| 21G.556 | World War II in Asia |
A note regarding the enrollment policy of the Global Languages: Enrollment limited to 16 for pedagogical reasons. In case of over enrollment, preference will be given in the following order: sophomores, first-years, juniors, seniors and graduate students. Within each category, priority will be given to pre-registered students.