street scene in Japan

The Japanese major provides students with proficiency-based training in Japanese language at all levels, including options for study abroad and internships.

Courses in Japanese culture, literature, film, and new media both in Japanese and in English are also part of the program. Our classes focus on Japanese topics but in the tradition of the humanities, we ask students to examine how humans live, think, interact, and express themselves.

Graduates of the UWM Japanese Program have gone on to utilize their linguistic and cultural fluency in work and internships in business, government, and education and are located in Southeast Wisconsin, across the United States, and in Japan.

Although study abroad is not required, we highly encourage students to consider an experience abroad. It is educationally transformative and life changing! And, it may not be as expensive as you think. We have established programs with these Japanese universities:

  • Chiba University (Tokyo)
  • Nanzan University (Nagoya)
  • Seijo University (Tokyo)
  • Hosei University (Tokyo)
  • Hokusei Gakuen University (Sapporro)

UWM’s Center for International Education is the place to begin exploring the possibilities.

Contact Us

Prospective Students (not yet enrolled at UWM)

Prospective students, contact our admissions counselor at let-sci@uwm.edu or 414-229-7711.

Current Students

General questions such as how to declare, how to change a major, general education requirements, etc. should be directed to the college advising office at ls-advising@uwm.edu or 414-229-4654.

Specific questions about Japanese, such as research opportunities, internship opportunities, major requirements, etc., should be directed to Asst. Prof. Aragorn Quinn.

Japanese Programs

Ready to Declare?

Select the declaration that’s right for you, and you will find more instructions on how to declare and what to expect.

Why Study Japanese at UWM?

Allison describes her UWM Japanese program experience
Pradi describes his UWM Japanese program experience

Economic

Japan is the fourth largest trading partner of the United States (U.S. Census) and has the third largest economy in the world.

Diplomatic

Japan is a crucial strategic ally of the United States in a region that is only expected to increase in importance throughout the next century. The importance of this region is highlighted by the well-publicized shift in diplomatic policy known as the “pivot” to East Asia.

Cultural

Japanese cultural impact, through film, literature, art, and new media, has an outsized global reach.

Recommended Resources for Japanese Students

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Understand who your advisors are and the ways they help you successfully navigate college life.
View Advising
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See all the options for electives and upcoming courses.
View Courses
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There are additional programs at UWM outside of the Department of Global Studies that cover global topics.
View Related Programs
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Tutoring, accommodations, mentor programs, and more.
View Help
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See what our alumni have done with their Global Studies degrees.
View Resources & Outcomes
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Find friends with similar interests through career-oriented organizations, social clubs, and community activities.
View Organizations
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Earn honors in the major or join the UWM Honors College.
View Honors
Opportunities abound around the world for students to live and study outside of the U.S. for a few weeks, a semester or a full year.
View Study Abroad
Experience matters just as much as a degree. Learn about international internships and domestic internships with international companies for students in Global Studies.
View Internships
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Students who place beyond the first-semester of a language can earn up to 16 retroactive credits, depending on the language.
View Retro Credits

Japanese News

Japanese Events

Campus Resources

UWM offers a wide range of on-campus resources, such as academic support and mental health resources. Students also find community within our student centers.

Photo of UWM Campus from above looking south, with downtown Milwaukee in background.

UWM Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge in Milwaukee that we are on traditional Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk and Menominee homeland along the southwest shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes, where the Milwaukee, Menominee and Kinnickinnic rivers meet and the people of Wisconsin’s sovereign Anishinaabe, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Oneida and Mohican nations remain present.   |   To learn more, visit the Electa Quinney Institute website.