Japanese Language Program for Specialists in Cultural and Academic Fields

Deadline: 01-Dec-2026

The Japanese Language Program for Specialists in Cultural and Academic Fields is offering support to researchers, graduate students, librarians, and museum or art museum curators who require Japanese-language proficiency for specialized work or research related to Japan. The program is designed to strengthen practical Japanese-language skills that participants can use in research and professional settings. It is conducted at the Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai, and combines language training with independent research activities. The program runs from early October 2027 to late March 2028 and is open to eligible applicants affiliated with organizations or graduate schools outside Japan.

About the Japanese Language Program for Specialists

The program is intended for specialists who need Japanese-language skills to conduct research or perform professional activities related to Japan. Rather than providing general language education, the program emphasizes practical communication required for specialized work. Participants develop the ability to use Japanese to exchange information, conduct interviews, collect research materials, and report research findings.

The program supports:

- Researchers working on Japan-related subjects. - Graduate students conducting Japan-related research. - Librarians requiring Japanese for their professional activities. - Museum and art museum curators working with Japan-related materials or research. Focus on Practical Japanese for Research A central feature of the program is its emphasis on using Japanese in real research and professional situations.

Participants independently conduct activities such as

- Interviewing specialists in their field. - Visiting facilities related to their research. - Collecting research materials. - Exchanging information in Japanese. - Gathering information through Japanese-language communication. - Reporting information and research findings in Japanese.

Participants are expected to plan these activities around a specific research theme

Research-Based Language Training The program connects language development with participants’ own research interests. Participants are expected to independently organize research-related activities and use Japanese during interactions with specialists and institutions. This approach allows participants to develop practical skills that can be applied to their specialized work or research activities related to Japan. At the end of the course, participants must present their research achievements. Important Program Limitation The program focuses on Japanese-language development for research and specialist work. It does not provide education in specific academic fields. Participants are therefore expected to have their own academic or professional specialization and use the program primarily to improve the Japanese-language skills needed for that work. Program Location The program is conducted at the Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai. The Institute provides the setting for the language training and associated program activities. Participants also undertake independent research-related activities as part of the program.

Participant Support and Benefits

Participants receive several forms of support during the program

The provided benefits include:

- Accommodation in a single room at the Institute. - Weekday breakfast and lunch. - National health and travel insurance. - Organized activities. - A subsidy for independent research activities. The independent research subsidy covers part of the costs associated with domestic accommodation and transportation. These provisions are intended to support participants while they undertake language training and research-related activities in Japan. Independent Research Activities Independent research is an important part of the program. Participants are expected to take responsibility for planning activities connected with their specific research theme. These activities may include arranging interviews with specialists, planning visits to relevant facilities, and gathering research materials. Through these experiences, participants develop practical Japanese-language abilities for: - Information exchange. - Information collection. - Research communication. - Reporting information and findings. Final Research Presentation

Participants are required to present their research achievements at the end of the course

The final presentation provides an opportunity to demonstrate how participants have applied the Japanese-language skills developed during the program to their research or specialist activities. Program Duration The program will run from early October 2027 to late March 2028. The multi-month format provides participants with an extended period to develop Japanese-language proficiency and undertake research-related activities in Japan. Who Can Apply? The program is open to several categories of specialists and students.

Eligible applicants include:

- Researchers affiliated with organizations outside Japan. - Teachers affiliated with organizations outside Japan. - Librarians affiliated with organizations outside Japan. - Museum or art museum curators affiliated with organizations outside Japan. - Full-time Master’s students enrolled at graduate schools outside Japan who plan to write their thesis on a Japan-related subject. - Full-time Doctoral students enrolled at graduate schools outside Japan who plan to write their thesis on a Japan-related subject. Applicants should have a clear need for Japanese-language proficiency in connection with their Japan-related research or specialized work. Japanese Language Requirement Applicants must have at least N4-level Japanese proficiency. This requirement ensures that participants already possess a basic foundation in Japanese before entering the specialist-focused language training. Applicants should therefore be able to demonstrate the required level of Japa