Japanese
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.
Prospective Undergraduate Students (not yet enrolled at UWM)
Prospective students, contact our admissions counselor at let-sci@uwm.edu or 414-229-7711.
Current Undergraduate 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?
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
Japanese News
- Japanese minor serves as youth ambassador at World Expo in OsakaUWM student Gabrielle Sweeney, a political science major and Japanese minor, worked at the American Pavilion at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan this summer as one of 100 youth ambassadors, using her Japanese language skills to give presentations to a Japanese-speaking …
- WLC Faculty and Staff Honored as 2025 International AdvocatesCongratulations to Anita Alkhas of French, Masako Lackey of Japanese, and Christine Wolf of Global Studies, who have all been honored as 2025 International Advocates by the Center for International Education for their exceptional support and guidance of international students.
- Students gain valuable career skills while translating Japanese mediaStudents in JAPAN 361: Translating Japanese Media developed their translation and Japanese language skills while also building other valuable career skills.
- Japanese major Keizan Sato’s Study Abroad ExperienceHow do you travel internationally, learn a new language, make lifelong friends, and broaden your cultural horizons, all on a student’s budget? One answer is scholarships. Just ask Keizan Sato. Read about Keizan's study abroad experiences in the College of Letters …
- Japanese alum hosts Kokoro Cafe pop-up restaurantUWM alum Brandon Crisp (Japanese and Film Studies, 2019) is hosting Kokoro Cafe, a pop-up restaurant, at Faklandia Brewpub in St. Francis on Monday, November 11. Get more information and RSVP here!
Campus Resources
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