Japanese Language Education and Culture Studies Course
Overview
Building on a foundation of international relations and area studies, this curriculum deepens students’ knowledge of the Japanese language, teaching methodologies, and Japanese culture. It is designed for both Japanese and international students with advanced Japanese proficiency, as well as working professionals with experience in Japanese language education. The program aims to cultivate skilled educators who can contribute to Japanese language teaching worldwide.
Research Field of the Academic Staff
| Name | Reasearch Fields | |
|---|---|---|
| ICHISHIMA Noriko | Japanese Language Education | ichishima@staff. |
| OTA Akira ★ | Contrastive Analysis, Japanese Language Education for Specific Purposes | akirao@staff. |
| SHIMIZU Kunihiko | Japanese Culture, Japanese Folklore, History of Japanese Thought | ojizo@staff. |
| BITTMANN Heiko | Sports Science, History of Thought | bittmann@staff. |
| FUKAGAWA Miho | Second Language Acquisition, Japanese Language Education | mihofk@staff. |
| MATSUKURA Kohei | Japanese Linguistics, dialectology | matsukura.k@staff. |
| YAMAMOTO Hiroshi | Modern Japanese Literature, Modern Japanese History, Education for International Students | yama@staff. |
| Raj Lakhi SEN | Modern & Contemporary Japanese Literature, Comparative & Interdisciplinary Literature, Gender Studies | sen-rl@staff. |
- Note1: Transfer in Mar 2026 ☆: Mar 2027 ★: Mar 2028 (Not selectable as preferred advisors. ★ only if enrolling in Oct 2026)
- Note2: ※ next to a faculty member’s name indicates they are responsible for courses taught in English.
- Note3: Please add “kanazawa-u.ac.jp” after the email address field.
Laboratory Introduction – Noriko ICHIJIMA
Our laboratory explores various aspects of Japanese language pedagogy. My research is grounded in practical studies of Japanese language education, as well as life story analyses of both learners and educators in Japan and abroad. I am particularly interested in the language awareness, citizenship, and identity of immigrants and refugees, and in the fundamental question of why people learn languages.
Through the lens of Japanese language education, I seek to address the challenges faced by individuals of foreign nationality and to identify the principles and methods needed to foster a truly multicultural society.
At the graduate level, students are encouraged to choose research themes based on their own interests and concerns, beyond those listed above. Through collaborative laboratory discussions, we aim to support the development of original and insightful research leading to a strong thesis.
Course / Program Name
Japanese Language Education and Culture Studies Course
Name of Instructor
Noriko ICHIJIMA
Research Project Title / Supervisor
The Dynamics of Language Consciousness and Identity of Learners of Japanese / Noriko ICHIJIMA
Other Research Topics
Philosophy and Methods of Activity-Based Japanese Language Education