School of Languages and Cultures

japanese building and scenery

Japanese

Master the Japanese language and immerse yourself in its rich culture, from ancient traditions to modern innovations. Gain the skills to navigate global business, diplomacy and media while building a deep understanding of a society that shapes technology, entertainment and international relations..

Students currently enrolled in the Japanese major, as well as those entering in Fall 2026, will earn a BA in Japanese. Beginning in Fall 2027, new students will pursue Japanese as a concentration within the World Languages and Cultures major.

PLEASE NOTE: Students applying for Fall 2027, the plan of study for the World Languages and Cultures BA concentration is still being finalized, but it is expected to closely resemble the current Japanese plan of study, which provides a helpful preview of the curriculum. 

Dive into the language while exploring the richness of Japanese literature and linguistics by majoring or minoring in Japanese. Learning goes beyond the classroom through immersive experiences like weekly Japanese Conversation Hours, where you can practice in a lively, supportive setting. With study abroad considered a key part of the journey, you’ll have the opportunity to experience Japanese culture firsthand and bring your learning to life.

We have MA and Ph.D. programs in Japanese Language Pedagogy and an MA program in Japanese Literature. Students wishing to pursue a Ph.D. with a focus on Japanese Literature may apply to the Comparative Literature program, and, if accepted, will work with literature faculty in Japanese as well as other languages. 

A brief video introduction to our program:

Career after Purdue:

Beyond the Classroom

  • Association for Japanese Literature Studies (AJLS)
    The only major academic organization in North America dedicated to the study of Japanese literature, was started as a local conference by Dr. Eiji Sekine and Dr. Roger Thomas at Purdue University in 1992. It was then helmed by Prof. Sekine from 1993 to 2018, being rebranded as a national organization (AJLS) in 1999.

The Japanese program is part of EAL (East Asian Languages), which brings together the study of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages and cultures. EAL also offers interdisciplinary opportunities through Asian Studies and Asian American Studies, providing students with a broad understanding of East Asia and its global connections.

Chair of the Dept. of East Asian Languages | Mariko Wei