Bridge Japan’s ancient traditions and modern innovation—for a world of opportunity.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese Language and Culture in the College of Letters & Science provides training in speaking, reading, and writing the relevant modern Japanese language and a basic familiarity with one or more of the language's earlier forms. Students complete the major by selecting from a broad range of courses in literature, popular culture, philosophy, and linguistics, both in translation and the original languages.
The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community for our undergraduate students. We believe in the importance of connection and host events such as EALC Talks!, an informal lunchtime talk series for faculty, students, and staff to share their research and projects.
Highlights
- Hear from leading scholars in the EALC Talks! series.
- Help other students learn Japanese as a language tutor.
- Study Japanese Language and Culture abroad to meet major requirements.
Curriculum
The curriculum of the Japanese Language and Culture major focuses on acquiring the modern and classical forms of the language, engaging in informed and critical reading of a wide range of East Asian texts within their historical and cultural contexts, and developing effective writing skills and critical thinking. Course offerings position the study of East Asia within a global context and expose students to a range of disciplinary and comparative approaches. Students complete the major by selecting from a broad range of courses in literature, popular culture, philosophy, and linguistics, both in translation and the original languages.
Learn more at ealc.berkeley.edu/programs/undergraduate/
Study Options
The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures offers undergraduate majors in Chinese Language and Culture, Japanese Language and Culture, Korean Language and Culture (new), East Asian Religion, Thought and Culture, and East Asian Humanities, as well as Mongolian and Tibetan language and literature courses. Students come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and many are double majors in a broad spectrum of other departments and programs. The department also offers minors in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
Declaring the Major
Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you will enter the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. To officially declare your major in Japanese Language and Culture, please schedule an appointment with the Department Advisor. This meeting will help you create a personalized program of study, or you can declare your major after completing the necessary prerequisites.
If you are considering a major in Japanese Language and Culture, consult with the Department Advisor regarding major requirements, transfer credits, and any other academic inquiries. We encourage you to begin your preparations for the major as early as possible to fulfill requirements set by the University, college, and department.
Students majoring in Japanese Language and Culture develop communication and critical thinking skills transferable to various careers and jobs. Program alumni work in diverse fields, including education, translation, diplomacy, journalism, travel, and more. They pursue advanced degrees in Asian studies, business, foreign language, law, and other disciplines. Alumni also pursue post-graduate opportunities such as professional fellowships and public service programs.
UC Berkeley offers several career resources for students studying Japanese Language and Culture. The College of Letters & Science spotlights career pathways for students in the Arts & Humanities and offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or master's and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- AI Language Model Trainer
- Arts Program Coordinator
- Cultural Liaison
- Digital Content Coordinator
- Diplomatic Corps Member
- Documentary Filmmaker
- Global Product Manager
- International Business Consultant
- International Education Coordinator
- Japanese Language Teacher
- Media Analyst
- Social Media Strategist
- Subtitler
- Trade Specialist
- Translator/Interpreter
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Asian Studies
- Buddhist Studies
- Business
- Computer Engineering
- Japanese Language and Literature
- Law
Jeremy, class of 2025
Jeremy Anthony Fernandez Caballero graduated with a BA in Japanese Language.
"My experience within the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures has been incredible….This community of once strangers, now close friends, has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my time at Berkeley. My confidence and Japanese skills have grown so much through in-class work, outside of class study groups, original, unique skits and projects, and Japanese workshops in various forms. I have learned how to approach problems creatively and think critically—skills that I will take with me and build upon after my graduation, in my study abroad, and beyond."
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and first-year guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the Japanese major; begin the language sequence with JAPAN 1A and 1B (take the Japanese placement exam if you have prior experience) and enroll in JAPAN 7A and 7B (Japanese Literature and Media).
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Berkeley Changemaker, or A&H Compass or Gateway course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization like the EALC Undergraduate Student Association.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Check out the Japan Society of Northern California.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Sign up for the EALC email list.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with lower division prerequisites and requirements (JAPAN 10A and 10B language courses); take an upper division EALANG requirement.
- Look into study abroad; explore options in Japan, as well as scholarships from Freeman-ASIA, Boren Awards, and Bridging.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Buddhist Studies.
- Meet with your major advisor to declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend an event at the Center for Japanese Studies or a department event such as EALC Talks!
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Pay a visit to the East Asian Library.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Look into research funding from the Center for Japanese Studies and IEAS; apply for a FLAS award.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin upper division requirements, including courses in Advanced Japanese, Classical Japanese Literature, and Modern Japanese.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
- Consider applying to the EALC Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Work as a language tutor for Japanese courses.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Share your language skills in the SLC Language Exchange Program.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as the American Association of Teachers of Japanese.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Find jobs and internships at the Career Forum for Japanese-English speakers.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Enroll in an upper division EALANG course if you haven’t done so already.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Townsend Center or Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Y.R. Chao Prize, Library Prize, or American Cultures Student Prize.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs such as the JET Program, Luce Scholars, and Blakemore Freeman Fellowship.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Prepare for enrollment with your college advisor in Golden Bear Advising.
- Make progress on language study or other degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course such as JAPAN 1A or 1B.
- Study in Japan through UCEAP or the Critical Language Scholarship Program.
- Participate in the PPF-UCB Homestay Program, TOKIHA, or Japan America Student Conference.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Teaching English and Journalism.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and transfer guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Meet with your major advisor to create a program plan and declare the major.
- Take the Japanese placement exam if you have prior experience.
- Complete any needed lower division prerequisites and requirements, including JAPAN 7A; begin upper division coursework.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organizationlike the EALC Undergraduate Student Association.
- Find support at the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Check out the Japan Society of Northern California.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Sign up for the EALC email list.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Begin exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Focus on language and EALANG courses, and upper division electives; take JAPAN 7B (Japanese Literature).
- Look into study abroad; explore options in Japan, as well as scholarships from Freeman-ASIA, Boren Awards, and Bridging.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Buddhist Studies.
- Consider applying to the EALC Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend an event at the Center for Japanese Studies or a department event such as EALC Talks!
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Pay a visit to the East Asian Library.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Look into research funding from the Center for Japanese Studies and IEAS; apply for a FLAS award.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to develop skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue fulfilling upper division requirements; enroll in an upper division EALANG course if you haven’t completed one yet.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a Transfer Peer Advocate or member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Work as a language tutor for Japanese courses.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Share your language skills in the SLC Language Exchange Program.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as the American Association of Teachers of Japanese.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Find jobs and internships at the Career Forum for Japanese-English speakers.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs such as the JET Program, Luce Scholars, and Blakemore Freeman Fellowship.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Townsend Center or Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Y.R. Chao Prize, Library Prize, or American Cultures Student Prize.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Get ready for Berkeley with RHETOR 100 Writing at the University.
- Prepare for enrollment with your major advisor in Golden Bear Advising.
- Thinking about a PhD? Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship before your first semester.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course such as JAPAN 1A or 1B.
- Participate in the PPF-UCB Homestay Program,TOKIHA, or Japan America Student Conference.
- Study in Japan through UCEAP or the Critical Language Scholarship Program.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Teaching English and Journalism.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Japanese Language and Culture or choosing a major?
The Department of East Asian Language and Cultures offers undergraduate advising for students planning to major in Japanese Language or other EALC majors. The Department Advisor for undergraduate students is available for in-person and remote appointments to answer general questions about EALC programs and for support navigating the University. For advising hours and contact information, visit ealc.berkeley.edu.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.
Related Programs
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