Established in 1966, the Japanese Studies Program of Ateneo de Manila University is the first Japanese Studies Program in Southeast Asia.
Initially, it was the university's response to the felt need to deepen understanding of Japan with which the Philippines has had long historical ties. As bilateral relations developed, the program has sought to expand mutual understanding. Today, the Philippines and Japan endeavor to locate themselves in the milieu of globalization, and the Japanese Studies Program carries on the tradition of contributing to a scholarly approach to the problems and issues concomitant with world development.
The Japanese Studies Program offers Minor in Japanese Studies for the undergraduate level and Master of Arts in Japanese Studies in the graduate level, with the following areas of specialization: Economics, History, Political Science, and Sociology.
With its language and Japan-related courses open to degree and non-degree students from different disciplines, the Japanese Studies Program aims to dvelop graduates who have a global outlook, imbued with a keen understanding and appreciation of one's own culture and of others'; especially those with thich one's culture interfaces. Students who go through the courses of the Japanese Studies Program are expected to be highly competitive, uniquely advantaged, and relevant in work areas of diplomacy, trade and management, research and training.
Exchange Programs
The Japanese Studies Program has a history of initiating, organizing, coordinating exchange programs with Japanese universities, institutions, and organizations. It includes homestay and exchange activities with the communities in Japan.
The program coordinates with the Office of International Relations regarding the student exchange programs of the university.
Extension Programs
The Extensions Programs of the Japanese Studies Program are open to Ateneo as well as non-Ateneo learners. Nihongo for Everyone is a Japanese language course for beginners. Other programs include the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Review Courses, and Nihongo for Young People (for high school students).
Internship Programs of Teaching Japanese
The Japanese Studies Program started the Internship Program of Japanese as Foreign Language in 2010. It offers individuals opportunities to gain knowledge of foreign language education, practice language instructions, and interact with Japanese language learners in the Philippines.
