Exploring Options for Japanese Major

Hi folks! I've been studying Japanese for the past few years in high school. I'm quite serious about taking it up as my major in college but I'm not sure which colleges are reputed for this. Could you guys suggest the best colleges for a major in Japanese? Much appreciated.

Sure, studying Japanese in college could provide valuable linguistic skills and a deep understanding of Japanese culture. Several universities in the U.S have top-notch Japanese programs that you might want to consider.

1. University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley): The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at UC Berkeley offers a comprehensive undergraduate major program with a focus on Japanese language and culture.

2. University of Washington (UW): The Department of Asian Languages and Literatures at UW offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese. Besides learning the language, the program exposes you to a wide range of literature, culture, and linguistics courses.

3. Columbia University: Columbia has a robust East Asian Languages and Cultures department and offers an undergraduate major in East Asian Studies with a concentration in Japanese.

4. University of Oregon: The East Asian Languages and Literatures department offers a 4-year major in Japanese. They focus on both linguistic proficiency and cultural understanding, with additional honors programs available.

5. Ohio State University: Their Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures offers majors and minors in Japanese, and has an extensive program with a variety of courses beyond just language learning.

Remember, when applying to any of these programs, it might be beneficial to express your interest in studying Japanese in your application essays. You may want to leverage your high school experience studying Japanese to showcase your commitment and passion for the subject. Doing so could make your application stand out. Good luck with your college search!