Japanese

JAPN 50: The Art of KanjiOffered in Fall 2025; Prerequisite JAPN1 for students with with no or little prior knowledge of Chinese characters

Japanese Culture Through Anime and MangaJAPN62; the class is conducted in English

Winter 2025 Osaka Short-Term Study Abroad

Winter 2025 Osaka Short-Term Study Abroad

Cultural exchanges with Japanese students

5 levels of Japanese courses available

Take Japanese at Mt SAC!

International Education Week Booth

Japanese club booth at the Join-A-Club campus event.

Japanese Language and Culture Club

Japanese
The Course Schedule
The Course Schedule

JAPN 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 need to be taken in a sequence. As you plan your Japanese studies, check the course schedule below.
- Spring and Fall
  JAPN 1, 2, 3, and 4
  JAPN 62 (Anime)
- Spring only
  JAPN 5 and JAPN 53 (Conversation)
- Fall only
  JAPN 50 (Kanji)
- Winter and Summer (6-week intersessions)
  JAPN1 (online only)
Note: JAPN 1, 2, and 62 are offered both in person and online. JAPN 3, 4, 5, and 50 are available on campus only. JAPN 53 alternates modalities as needed.

If you have prior experience in Japanese and would like to take a placement test, please contact the Japanese Language Coordinator at ktsurumi@mtsac.edu before the term you plan to enroll.

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Why Learn Japanese?

Japanese is spoken by more than 130 million people, mainly in Japan, but also by Japanese emigrant communities around the world. It is distinguished by a complex system of honorifics reflecting the hierarchical nature of Japanese society, with verb forms and particular vocabulary to indicate the relative status of speaker, listener, and the person mentioned in conversation. The earliest record of Japanese is in a Chinese document from 252 A.D. A vast number of words were borrowed from Chinese or created from Chinese models over at least 1,500 years. Since the late 19th century, Japanese has borrowed a considerable number of words from Indo-European languages, primarily English.

Here are three compelling reasons to learn Japanese:

1. Access to a Leading Global Economy and Innovation Hub:
Japan is the third-largest economy in the world and a leader in industries like technology, automotive, robotics, and entertainment. Proficiency in Japanese can open doors to career opportunities in multinational companies, international trade, and cutting-edge research and development, providing a competitive advantage in the global job market.

2. Deep Cultural Enrichment:
Learning Japanese offers a gateway to understanding Japan's rich cultural heritage, including its literature, art, cinema, and traditional practices like tea ceremonies and martial arts. It also enhances the experience of Japanese pop culture, such as anime, manga, and video games, allowing students to engage more deeply with these global phenomena.

3. Study and Work Opportunities in Japan:
Japan offers a range of scholarships and exchange programs for international students, making it an attractive destination for study abroad experiences. Proficiency in Japanese increases the likelihood of securing these opportunities and helps students immerse themselves more fully in the local culture, building valuable connections and gaining firsthand experience in a unique and dynamic environment.

Mt. SAC offers beginning and intermediate, university-transferable Japanese language courses that include both verbal and written learning, taught by native speakers in both English and Japanese

Course Offerings

Japanese (JAPN)

If you have prior experience in Japanese and would like to take a placement test, please contact the Japanese Language Coordinator at ktsurumi@mtsac.edu before the term you plan to enroll.

Faculty

Name	Phone	Email
Keiko Tsurumi (Program coordinator)	909-274-4581	ktsurumi@mtsac.edu
Don Lee	909-274-6344	dlee264@mtsac.edu
Natsuyo Higuchi		nhiguchi@mtsac.edu
Emi Okubo		eokubo@mtsac.edu
Saori Tauchi		stauchi@mtsac.edu
Keiko Appel		kappel@mtsac.edu
Yuki Minekawa		yminekawa@mtsac.edu
Shana Brenish		sbrenish1@mtsac.edu
Mayumi Hiraku (Hu)		mhu32@mtsac.edu
Michie Higuchi Jones		mjones150@mtsac.edu