Dean of the Center for Japanese Language and Culture
Professor Nobuyuki YAMAUCHI
Doshisha University, founded as Doshisha Eigakko (Doshisha Academy) in 1875 by Joseph Hardy Neesima, the first Japanese citizen to have obtained an academic degree at Amherst College in America, is renowned as one of the most highly esteemed educational institutions with the longest history and tradition in Japan. Ever with a deep and unwavering loyalty to the founder’s spirit, today Doshisha University conducts all its education and research activities based on Christian principles, liberalism and internationalism as the three pillars of its ideal visions for higher education.
The Doshisha University Center for Japanese Language and Culture, which originally opened in April 1999, has the most well-developed Japanese language education system in Japan. The Center aims at providing Japanese language education for international students, those who in order to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture wish to enroll in an undergraduate or a graduate program at Doshisha University or some other universities and graduate schools in Japan, as well as those exchange students from universities all over the world which we have exchange agreements with. Currently, 161 international students from 24 different countries and regions are studying Japanese language intensively at a variety of levels suitable to their Japanese abilities. In addition, the students of AKP (Associated Kyoto Program) Center, Tübingen University Center for Japanese Language, and Stanford Center for Technology and Innovation are also studying hard on their respective programs.
I firmly believe that studying Japanese language and culture and thereby deepening an understanding of Japan and its tradition at our Center and then proceeding to an undergraduate or a graduate program at Doshisha University will be a huge step for the future of all our students.
In addition, studying and living in Kyoto, where lies the origin of Japanese tradition and culture, will offer an invaluable one year in the best possible environment. I hope that every one of our many motivated international students will enjoy a rich and rewarding year of study at our university.
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