Message from the Dean
Dean, School of Japan Studies
IJUIN Ikuko
At the School of Japan Studies, Japanese and international students from all over the world study together, exploring Japan from a variety of perspectives.
In today's rapidly changing society, how is Japan changing, and how is it staying the same? Does the Japan as seen from within look the same as the Japan seen from the outside? At the School of Japan Studies, we use Japan as our field of study, and by crossing over a variety of fields such as society, literature and culture, language, and language education, we reexamine Japan from an international perspective. I hope that all of you studying here will question your own “common sense”, and use a variety of perspectives and research methods to thoroughly form your views of Japan, and build up a concrete body of knowledge based on objective evidence.
In the classes at TUFS, you will have many opportunities to actively engage in discussions with your peers from diverse cultural backgrounds, using English and Japanese as communication tools. Whether you choose to simply go with the flow and passively absorb the environment, or whether you actively make use of the opportunity, will make a big difference to your personal growth by the time you graduate. The experience of working together to tackle issues with people who have different values will become an invaluable asset that will support you even after you enter the workforce. At times, you may find that your ideas conflict and that it is difficult to understand each other. It is precisely at times like these that you need to be strong and make an effort to communicate and understand each other through dialogue. Rather than building walls and becoming isolated, please cultivate the ability to connect with people through language and to connect people with each other.
Since the establishment of the Japanese Language Department in 1985, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies has produced graduates who are active both in Japan and overseas through an educational program in which international and Japanese students study together. In addition, the Japanese Language Center for International Students was established in 1970 as a Japanese language school affiliated with the Faculty of Foreign Studies, and has built up a rich track record in providing high-quality Japanese language education and developing teaching materials. The School of Japan Studies at TUFS was established in 2019 with the aim of further developing the long history and tradition of the university.
By taking a serious approach to the classes and activities at the School of Japan Studies, you will be able to cultivate a spirit of mutual understanding through dialogue, tolerance for others, and the ability to think and act independently. These skills will provide you with a solid foundation to create a future in this age of uncertainty.
I hope that you will deepen your understanding of Japan together with your friends from around the world, and then spread your wings and adventure out into the world.