Japanese
Are you interested in speaking a language that is very different from your own? Do you want to add an important language skill to your resume? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then the Japanese program at Carthage is for you.
The core of the Carthage Japanese program is the four-year language curriculum. The goal of the Japanese program is to help students develop proficiency in Japanese in a socio-cultural context. Students not only gain fluency in reading, writing, and speaking Japanese, but they also acquire a deep understanding of Japanese people and culture.
The program offers courses in Japanese history, film, politics, culture through language, and Asian religion.
Retroactive credits
If you test into a course and then earn a “C” or better, you can earn up to 12 free retroactive credits.
Beyond the classroom

Student Organizations
Japanese Club and the Japanese lunch table give students more chances to build cultural and linguistic fluency. Top scholars can join Alpha Mu Gamma, a national honor society for foreign languages.
Cultural Events
On campus, faculty periodically offer Japanese cultural workshops on kimonos, calligraphy, sushi, and tea ceremonies. The annual Bunkasai Cultural Festival lets students showcase their Japanese speeches, dances, songs, skits, and martial arts. Off campus, the Japanese Club organizes regular field trips.
Study Abroad
Besides the required semester-long immersion (typically at one of Carthage’s two exchange partner universities), faculty periodically lead short-term study tours to Japan and other parts of East Asia during the J-Term.
Popular minors & second majors
- Art
- Asian Studies
- Communication
- Education
- Graphic Design
- History
- International Political Economy
- Political Science
- Marketing
After Carthage
Graduates could teach Japanese in elementary schools or work as interpreters at government institutions, companies, and hospitals. Recent alumni hold jobs such as…
- A senior consultant in the software industry in Tokyo
- English teaching assistant under the JET program in Saitama-ken
- Japan English lecturer at NOVA Holdings Co. Ltd. in Tokyo