cardiff japanese studies centre
The Cardiff Japanese Studies Centre was established in 1989 and is recognised as one of the leading Japanese studies centres in the country.
The aim of the Centre is to continue to develop and improve its undergraduate curriculum, strengthening links with sister universities in Japan, and through the appointment and training of high calibre staff. It is also the aim to raise the Centre's research output and profile.
The past twelve months have seen many challenges for Japan and other nations around the world. Challenges continue, although the scale and nature of these changes may alter. What does not alter are certain core relationships and expectations. Japan continues to be the world's second largest economy and a key player in international relations. It is of no surprise then, that even over the past year, the demand for graduates with an understanding of Japan and Japanese has remained relatively buoyant.
The August 2009 General Election saw the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) fall from power to a degree which was unimaginable to most even as recently as 2008. Prime Minister Hatoyama has come to power with a manifesto of new ideas and policies, the likes of which Japan has perhaps not seen before. Even the reform-minded Koizumi (PM 2001-2006), must be impressed with the targets that the new government is setting. Hatoyama himself may not garner personal popularity comparable to the charismatic Koizumi, but he may herald in a more proactive Japan on the international front and a changed Japan on the domestic front. The degree to which the changes are going to be achievable remains to be seen, and will be one thing that our students will be expected to understand and analyze.
There is no doubt that these are exciting times to be studying Japan. With the increased awareness of Japanese exports such as manga, anime and even films - with Japan winning its first Foreign Language Feature Film Oscar in 2008 for Okuribito (a.k.a. Departures) - we are continuing to see increasing applications for people to study Japan and its language. This year, for the second time in three years, UCAS reported Japanese to be the fastest growing subject in terms of applications to study undergraduate courses at British universities. It is essential that Centres such as ours respond to this demand by continuing to provide high-quality, relevant courses. I believe this is something which Cardiff excels at.
As well as the classes and resources provided in Cardiff, our courses are also dependent upon the excellent work done by our 11 exchange universities in Japan. The time spent there is an integral and important part of the degree. As the number of students continues to increase, so we continue to look to foster new agreements. With our island nations at either side of the Euro-Asian continents, so it is that at any time during the day the sun can be in the sky above Cardiff students looking to improve their knowledge and skills.
If you would like any more information about the Centre, please do not hesistate to contact us at CJSC@Cardiff.ac.uk