Japanese

University at Buffalo Department of Linguistics.

Immerse yourself in Japanese language and culture at UB

日本語と日本文化にどっぷり浸かろう！

In recent years, Japanese has gained prominence as a major foreign language, especially for those interested in East Asia. With about 125 million native speakers, Japanese ranks ninth among the world's languages and is widely studied, offering a fascinating entry point into a rich cultural and linguistic heritage.

Why study Japanese?

Studying Japanese opens doors to understanding Japan's unique culture, history and societal norms. It provides a significant advantage in various fields, including international business, diplomacy, technology and the arts. Despite common assumptions about its complexity, Japanese is a typical human language with a fascinating grammatical structure.

Program highlights

The Japanese Program at the University at Buffalo offers a comprehensive curriculum covering language, linguistics and cultural studies. Students can choose between two degree options:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics - Japanese Language and Linguistics Concentration
  • Minor in Japanese

Course offerings

Japanese Language Courses:

  • JPN 111: First-Year Japanese 1st Semester (6 credits)
  • JPN 112: First-Year Japanese 2nd Semester (3 credits)
  • JPN 201: Second-Year Japanese 1st Semester (4 credits)
  • JPN 202: Second-Year Japanese 2nd Semester (4 credits)
  • JPN 301: Third-Year Japanese 1st Semester (4 credits)
  • JPN 302: Third-Year Japanese 2nd Semester (4 credits)
  • JPN 321: Food Culture in Japan (3 credits)
  • JPN 401: Fourth-Year Japanese 1st Semester (3 credits)
  • JPN 402: Fourth-Year Japanese 2nd Semester (3 credits)
  • JPN 539: Japanese Graduate Study (2-4 credits)

Japanese Content Courses (Taught in English):

  • JPN 312: Japanese Culture and Society (3 credits)
  • JPN 411/511: Introduction to Japanese Linguistics (3 credits)
  • JPN 421/521: Japanese Language and Culture (3 credits)
  • JPN 451/551: Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language (3 credits)

Learn more and get involved

For degree requirements and more information about the program and minor, visit the Department of Linguistics.

For any questions about Japanese courses, placement exams or study abroad programs, contact Japanese Program Director Mitsuaki Shimojo at shimojo@buffalo.edu.

You can also follow us on Instagram at @ub_japanese for updates on program events and activities.

Interested students can explore study abroad opportunities and gain valuable international experience by visiting buffalo.edu/educationabroad.