Japanese, a language steeped in a rich cultural and artistic heritage, offers numerous advantages to learners. As the 11th most populous country in the world, Japan’s economy is the third-largest by nominal GDP and the fourth-largest by purchasing power, which highlights the country’s significant impacts on the business and technology sectors. Interested in anime or manga? Learning Japanese also provides learners with a unique look into Japan’s significant influence in the entertainment industry. Its complex writing system and grammar enhance cognitive skills, and proficiency in Japanese offers deeper insights into Japan’s literature, cuisine, and social practices, enriching cultural understanding and travel experiences.
At Carleton we offer:
- Elementary, intermediate, and advanced courses in the Japanese language
- Advanced courses that enable students to analyze the modern Japanese novels by Soseki, live-action films by Kurosawa, anime by Miyazaki, and manga by Tezuka
- A special major in Japanese or a minor in Japanese.
- A major in Asian Studies and a A minor in East Asian Studies.
- Year-long and term-long off-campus study opportunities in Kyoto and Tokyo
To learn more about Japanese at Carleton, visit the websites of the Department of Asian Languages and Literatures or Asian Studies!
Japanese Placement Testing
The Japanese placement exam will be conducted in two steps, a written exam and an oral interview. The deadline for incoming first year students (class of 2030) to complete the written portion is July 15, 2026. The oral interviews will occur in-person during New Student Week (see schedule on the New Student Week site). You will sign up for the oral interview after completing the written test. Click to take the Japanese placement test.
If you have questions, email Noboru Tomonari or call 1-507-222-5955.