MJSP Diploma Policy
The Modern Japanese Studies Program (MJSP) was established at Hokkaido
University (HU) in response to the changing role of Japanese universities in the 21stcentury, which includes diversification of channels for overseas study, promotion ofmeasures to encourage international students to remain and pursue careers in Japan,
international standardization of higher education, and related quality assurance. HU
invites applications to MJSP from students worldwide who have a command of
English and an interest in the society and culture of modern Japan. The programprovides Japanese-language teaching and specialized education designed to help such
students gain in-depth understanding of modern Japan’s society and culture via abachelor’s degree program.
The objective of MJSP is to foster the development of well-educated future global
leaders with in-depth understanding of and support for Japanese society based on astrong command of Japanese. Such individuals are expected to play an active part inconnecting Japan with the rest of the world in their roles as true partners of Japan
both domestically and internationally. MJSP graduates will be generalists with wideranging knowledge, and will have transcultural perspectives and interests in linewith the basic building blocks of society under the university’s four philosophies:
Frontier Spirit, Global Perspectives, All-round Education and Practical Learning.
Particular focus is placed on the development of true partners of Japan – people whohave advanced Japanese communication skills, a multi-faceted organic approach to
cross-cultural understanding, and expert knowledge and abilities according to theirindividual interests regarding various aspects of modern Japan encompassing thought,culture, history and institutions.
The specific abilities required to graduate from MJSP (the degree conferralstandards) are outlined below based on the model future leaders described above.
Students who have developed the requisite abilities and acquired the necessary
credits will receive the Degree of Bachelor in the Field of Japanese Studies.
To achieve the educational objectives outlined above, students on MJSP will
acquire a good command of Japanese and learn about the significance andcharacteristics of the thought, culture, history and institutions of modern Japan. They

will also consider the future of relations between Japan and the rest of the world intoday’s modern, globalized society. In this regard, emphasis is placed on motivating
students to develop the following knowledge and abilities:
1) Japanese proficiency – students will learn the fundamentals of reading, writing,listening and speaking in Japanese, and will develop the ability to use Japanese forresearch and other activities in their fields of specialization.
2) Multi-faceted knowledge about modern Japan – students will acquire knowledge
in English about the thought, culture, history, institutions and other aspects of Japan,
which serve as the foundations for modern Japanese studies. They will also develop
professional expertise in literature, education, law, political science, economics andother fields in Japanese.
3) The ability to think from an international perspective – while learning with their
Japanese peers, students will come to clearly understand the similarities anddifferences between their cultures/lifestyles and those of Japan, and will develop
cognitive ability that will support well-balanced judgments on today’s complex social
issues.
4) Understanding cultural identity in Hokkaido – students will consider the diversityof Japanese society by engaging in academic pursuits in Hokkaido, which has an
ecological and multicultural environment different to other parts of Japan in terms ofnatural features, indigenous people’s culture and other aspects of life.
5) The drive to help develop new relations between Japan and the rest of the world –rather than simply becoming fluent in the Japanese language, students will receive athorough education in the country’s literature, history, education, law, politics,
economy and other aspects, and will develop a detailed understanding of its society
and culture. They will also have a strong drive to help serve as a bridge between
Japan and other countries.