The program consists of two types of courses: courses in Japanese language and courses in Japanese linguistics, culture and society.

Objectives of the Program:

The objectives of this program are:

1. To improve students’ Japanese language proficiency to enable them to interact with Japanese speakers and conduct research in Japanese;
2. To acquire basic knowledge and methodologies for Japanese studies particularly relating to general Japanese and applied linguistics;
3. To gain a deeper understanding both of Japanese language and culture.

Program Length:

One year: October 2024 – Mid-August 2025

Half year (2024 Fall semester): October 2024 – Mid-February 2025

Half year (2025 Spring semester): April 2025 – Mid-August 2025

Number of Students Accepted:

One year: 40

Half year: 20

Conditions for Completion:

A certificate of completion will be given to students who satisfactorily earn 20 credits (10 credits for the half year program) or more throughout the period of the program.

Course Director: Yoshiko Kobayashi

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be a Japanese language and/or culture major enrolled in an undergraduate degree course at a university–wide agreement partners of Hokkaido University. First-year students are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants should have N3 (or higher) on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test or the equivalent or higher proficiency in Japanese at the time of application.
  Applications from students whose proficiency in Japanese does not meet the requirements will not be accepted. Any students who are found to be at the introductory level by the placement test which is conducted by Hokkaido University after arrival may not be able to complete the program.
• Applicants must possess a good academic record at university level.

*Please note that from 2025 Spring application, JLCSP uses TAO (The Admissions Office) online application system. We no longer accept application forms by post or email now. The access link for TAO will be individually sent to home institution’s exchange coordinator before the application period begins.

Application Deadline -2025 Half Year Course- October 25, 2024 *Please note late application will not be accepted and our online application deadline cannot be extended. *To complete applications, all the application steps need to be completed by the deadline above.

Application Guidelines:

Read the guideline carefully before application.

Japanese Language and Culture Studies Program Application Guidelines

 

Application Steps:

Follow the below steps for the JLCSP application:

 

Step 1.

Applicants who have obtained approval to apply for JLCSP from their home university will submit the required documents listed below via TAO.

Documents need to be uploaded by applicants (students): 1)  Application form for Japanese Language and Culture Studies Program students 2) Consent to Transfer and Process Personal Data (template in Japanese/English) *The personal information provided in this form will be collected and handled as described in “7. Privacy Policy ” in “Japanese Language and Culture Studies Program Application Guidelines” and “How We handle Your Personal Data“. 3)  Certificate of passing at least N3 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test *Applicants who have not taken the JLPT must submit a Certificate of Japanese Language Proficiency issued by their supervisor. (template) 4)  Japanese language proficiency self-evaluation sheet (template) 5)  Digital photo data 6)  Study Plan in Hokkaido University (template)

Step 2.

The home university’s exchange coordinator must submit the documents listed below via TAO.

Documents to be submitted by home university: 7)  Certificate of enrollment (template) 8)  Recommendation Letter to the President of Hokkaido University 9)  Official transcript of academic record

Step 3.

The applicant completes the application process by pressing “Complete my application” button on TAO.

For half year course students:

JASSO Scholarship:

To assist international exchange students, the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) offers the following scholarship to a limited number of students. The Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Short-Term Study in Japan) includes a monthly grant as follows:

80,000JPY per month for five months.

When the applicant declares to apply for JASSO in the JLCSP application, the screening will be done along with the program application. The result of the JASSO will be on the same selection result letter as JLCSP program.

 

Note:

1. Applicants must, upon completion of the term of exchange, return to their home university to resume their studies or to be awarded their degree.

2. Applicants must not be recipients of scholarship awards from other organizations if the combined value of these additional scholarships exceeds 80,000JPY a month.

3. Applicants who may have difficulty covering the costs of their studies in Japan on their own.

Applicants must be in Japan during exchange period to receive the scholarship.

For one year course students: Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship:

Application form for Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship 2025 (TBA)