The Department of Japanese Language and Culture at National Chengchi University originated as the Japanese Division within the Department of Eastern Languages. It was established in 1989 and was the first department of Japanese language and literature founded at a national university in Taiwan. In its early years, the department faced both internal and external challenges, including limited faculty and facilities. However, through the dedicated efforts of its faculty and students, it gradually developed into a well-structured department with a solid academic foundation.
In 1998, the Japanese Division was formally upgraded to the Department of Japanese, and in 2003, the master’s program was established. In 2025, to better reflect the department's evolving focus and academic scope, it was renamed the Department of Japanese Language and Culture.
Currently, the department has 9 full-time faculty members (3 professors, 2 associate professors, and 4 assistant professors), 7 adjunct faculties, 13 adjunct faculties from minor program, and 2 administrative staff members.
To fulfill its educational objectives, the undergraduate curriculum not only focuses on cultivating core language competencies—listening, reading, speaking, writing, and translation—but also offers a variety of courses related to Japanese culture, as well as practical and specialized subjects. These courses are designed to complement one another and provide a diverse, well-rounded academic experience. Students may choose different specialization tracks based on their interests. In line with the university’s goals of encouraging double majors, diversification, and internationalization, students are also encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary programs and second foreign languages.
With the diverse academic backgrounds and specializations of its faculty, the master’s program offers advanced courses in three major fields: Japanese linguistics, Japanese literature, and Japanese history and culture. The department also actively invites distinguished scholars from Taiwan and abroad to give lectures or serve as visiting or short-term professors, providing students with global perspectives and deeper expertise in their research areas.
To foster well-rounded individuals with a broad and deep understanding of Japan. Students will develop the five core language skills—listening, speaking, reading, writing, and translation—and build a foundation through specialized courses in linguistics, literature, and cultural history. The program aims to nurture graduates who, based on their university training, can contribute to fields such as education, research, translation, diplomacy, business management, and international trade involving Japan.
Drawing on NCCU’s strengths in the humanities and social sciences, the master’s program centers on Japanese linguistics, literature, and historical culture to cultivate advanced research talent. Students are trained to conduct independent research, identify and investigate academic problems, and understand the complex relationships between Japanese studies, Taiwan, and the broader East Asian region.
