Japan Program

Japan Program. The Japan Program, as part of the Capstone International Center, administers academic and cultural programs and activities designed to increase understanding between the peoples of the United States and Japan. Through linkages with universities and other educational or cultural agencies in Japan, the program enables UA students and faculty members to study, conduct research, and teach in Japan.

Reciprocal student exchange programs with Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Hiroshima University, and Chiba University enable qualified undergraduate students to study Japanese in Japan while undertaking Asian studies, humanities, social science, and science courses taught in English. Generous AIE-J scholarships providing round-trip transportation and a monthly stipend are available on a competitive basis to UA students. Examples of courses offered at partner institutions include Japanese-Style Management, Japanese Economic Development, Sociology of Everyday Life in Japan, Survey of Modern Japanese History, Japanese Culture and Education, Seminar in Geography, Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences in Japan, and Introduction to Deep-Sea Biology. For students who have already earned undergraduate degrees, the Nagoya Institute of Technology and Chiba University offer prestigious Monbusho (Ministry of Education) research scholarships for 18 months of study. The Monbusho scholarship provides round-trip transportation and monthly stipends to cover living costs.

The Japan Program conducts a variety of outreach and academic enrichment programs in its Japan Culture and Information Center (see p. 56) and the Tuscaloosa Saturday School (supplementary education in Japanese for children ages six to 16 from Japan). A founding and active member of the Tuscaloosa Sister-Cities Commission as well as the Japan-America Society of Alabama, it also organizes the annual spring Sakura Festival and Haiku contest for the state of Alabama and publishes the quarterly Japan Program Newsletter.

Further information about the Japan Program may be obtained from the director, Dr. Marilyn B. Emplaincourt, 135 B. B. Comer Hall; (205) 348-5312.