Japanology

The research and teaching focus of Japanology at Frankfurt centers on premodern and modern/contemporary Japan. Methodologically, Frankfurt Japanology relies on a solid foundation of philological-literary studies as well as cultural and intellectual history, emphasizing the linguistic component as the basis for adequate research on Japan.

Language instruction ensures confident and fluent mastery of modern Japanese, both written and spoken (formal and colloquial), at a level that meets the minimum requirements for Japanology coursework in each semester.

Within the program, students can choose between two areas of emphasis: literature and culture of Japan in history and the present, or a focus on legal and economic studies. With its four Japan-related professorships, Japanology at Frankfurt is considered one of the major Japanese studies institutions in the German-speaking region.

Other highlights include a vibrant academic environment with numerous events (workshops, lectures, conferences, colloquia, readings, literary discussions, active working groups, Japanese studies research projects), collaborations beyond the university (research projects with Japanology programs at other universities, the Nippon Connection film festival), partner universities in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, and the location advantage of the Rhine-Main area: Frankfurt offers an exceptional infrastructure with Japanese company offices, a large Japanese community, the annual book fair, and numerous cultural institutions.

This creates many opportunities for extracurricular activities and Japan-related career paths locally.

The bachelor's program offers foundational knowledge in the minor subject areas of Japanese literature and culture in history and the present, OR Japanese law and Japanese economy. Students have the opportunity to define the goal of their education through individual focus areas. Two focus areas are available within the minor:

a) Focus on Japanese literature and culture in history and the present  
This focus addresses the growing demand for intercultural competence in the era of globalization. The aim of the education is to expand and deepen the foundational knowledge acquired in the second academic year in the intellectual history, cultural studies, and literary studies dimensions. In the fifth study semester, students select two introductory seminars that provide an overview of the research areas, tasks, and methods of literary and cultural studies in Japanology. These seminars are structured around broader topics, and students work on sub-projects that form the basis of their individual term papers.

b) Focus on law and economics  
This focus responds to the increasing demand for legal and economic expertise in Japanology education. In the fifth semester, the goal is to familiarize students with the fundamentals of Japanese economy and Japanese law. Students are made aware of how the different parts of their studies—especially language and subject-specific studies—interconnect. Building on a broader introduction to Japanese economy and Japanese law, students develop expertise in a specific thematic field.

For more information about the minor in Japanology, please visit the department's webpage.