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A photo of a posterboard that details information about Japan during UNCW’s annual iFest

Japanese Minor

Add Value to Your Major with a Japanese Minor
  • 85%

    of Students Study Abroad in Japan

  • 100%

    of Students Interact & Converse with Japanese Peers

  • 2nd

    Japan's Rank in Foreign Investment in North Carolina

A Japanese minor can lead to careers in:

Japan is in need of young, skilled workers in most industries, but especially in IT where it seeks to compete with the top firms in the world. Combining Japanese language and intercultural competence can help give students an edge in applying for jobs with these cutting-edge developers.

Building on UNCW's strong film studies programs, many film students choose to gain additional experience in Japanese to work with Japan-based studios or incorporate Japanese techniques in their production.

Japanese gaming companies are among the world's leaders, often seeking new talent from overseas to remain at the top of a growing industry.

UNCW's robust programs position graduates well for work in industries relating humans to their marine environment. Demand for international talent in these crucial fields is high.

Demand for Japanese study programs and the number of students enrolled in Japanese programs is increasing each year, but the number of qualified teachers is limited. Simultaneously, many graduates participate in ESL programs in Japan after graduation to gain international experience and perspective.

Japan is North Carolina's largest source of foreign direct investment, and many firms hope to hire skilled workers with intercultural competence.

Learn To

Communicate orally and in writing with Japanese speakers

Navigate cultural differences and conduct successful intercultural exchange of ideas

Access Japanese media in its original language, providing deeper insights

Apply communication strategies to your speech and writing for maximum impact

“ I have a greater appreciation and understanding of Japanese culture. I traveled and guided friends to Japan and navigated our way from Hiroshima through Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Okunoshima and Okinawa. ”
Ray Pearce ‘17
Japanese Minor Program Overview

Pair with Your Major to Gain an Edge

The Japanese minor at UNCW works well with essentially any major, equipping students with real-world skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students in this minor learn to communicate confidently and navigate life in Japan independently.

Coursework combines language training with cultural exploration through hands-on projects, research-informed teaching modules, and frequent exchange events both inside and outside the classroom. Japanese minor courses also fulfill general education requirements by focusing on Japanese history, art, culture, and linguistics, so many students are able to make the most of their credits rounding out their degree in a topic they enjoy. 

Our program builds on a growing network of Japanese companies in North Carolina as well as U.S.-based companies in Japan and beyond. Whether you're interested in international business, education, technology, or cultural exchange, the Japanese minor helps expand the possibilities of your major, opening doors to exciting global careers.

Study Abroad in Japan

Students can take advantage of a wide range of study abroad opportunities — including summer, semester, and year-long programs in Japan — with options for internships and work-study experiences. Higher level coursework for the minor can typically be completed in one semester in Japan.

UNCW has partnerships with Japanese universities in Osaka, Aichi, and Mie Prefectures, and also offers programs in Kyoto, Tokyo, and more through our collaboration with other UNC system schools. It is best to speak early to the Education Abroad office and to Japanese program faculty about any interest in studying abroad, since many prestigious scholarships are available, but these are also highly competitive and advanced planning is always helpful.

Japanese woman makes tea

Sample Courses in the Japanese Minor

Table shows sample courses for this program
JPN 101 Introductory Japanese I
JPN 201 Intermediate Japanese I
JPN 301 Japanese Grammar and Composition I
JPN 307 Japanese Phonetics, Phonology, and Pronunciation
JPN 311 Perspectives on Modern Japanese Culture
See The Full Curriculum

How Do I Apply for a Japanese Minor?

There are no requirements to be admitted to the Japanese minor, but Japanese 101 and Japanese 102 (or the equivalent) are prerequisites to Japanese 201, which is the lowest-level course to count toward the Japanese minor. If students have already studied Japanese, they should take a placement test to determine which class best matches their level.

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