About Japanese

Japan is an important partner in today's world.

Learn Japanese for business, for travel, to learn about your heritage, to read manga, to learn about Japanese culture. Whatever your reason, our dedicated and experienced faculty will help you reach your goal.

Explore Potential Careers

Studying Japanese can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have!

  • Secondary and Postsecondary School Teachers
  • Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Interpreters and Translators
  • Bilingual Book Editors
  • Journalism
  • Public Relations
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Business
  • International Relations
  • Education
  • Political Affairs
  • Advertising or Sales

Program Options

Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish.

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals.

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units
ENGL 1A + 1AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 3 - 5
Additional Major Requirement (See Counselor) 4 - 6
GE Area G1 Health Knowledge Requirement 2 - 3
GE Area G2 Physical Skills Requirement 1 - 3
Degree Applicable Elective   3

Total Units: 13 - 20 

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units
JAPA 2 Continuation of elementary Japanese 5
MATH 46, MATH 60 or 860, ET 108B, or ET 50, or PSYC 5, or ECON 5, or LALS 5, or PHIL 12A, or FIN 136M or higher math course (or equivalent) Math Graduation Requirement 3 - 8
GE Area D Social and Behavioral Sciences Requirement 3
Degree Applicable Elective   3

Total Units: 14 - 19 

Semester 3

Course Number Course Title Units
JAPA 3 Intermediate Japanese 5
GE Area C Natural Sciences Requirement 3 - 6
GE Area F United States History and Government Requirement 3
GE Area H Ethnic Studies, Women's and Gender Studies and LGBTQ Studies 3
Degree Applicable Elective   3

Total Units: 17 -20

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units
JAPA 4 Continuation of Intermediate Japanese 5
Degree Applicable Elective   3
Degree Applicable Elective   3
Degree Applicable Elective   3
Degree Applicable Elective   3

Total Units: 17

View Requirements in College Catalog

Choose 5 to 6 units from the following core courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
JAPA 3 Intermediate Japanese 5  
or      
JAPA 3A Intermediate Japanese 3  
and      
JAPA 3B Intermediate Japanese 3  

Total Units: 5 - 6

Choose at least 11 units from the following courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
JAPA 1 Elementary Japanese 5  
or      
JAPA 1A Elementary Japanese 3  
and      
JAPA 1B Elementary Japanese 3  
JAPA 2 Continuation of Elementary Japanese 5  
or      
JAPA 2A Continuation of Elementary Japanese 3  
and      
JAPA 2B Continuation of Elementary Japanese 3  
JAPA 4 Continuation of Intermediate Japanese 5  
or      
JAPA 4A  Continuation of Intermediate Japanese 3  
and      
JAPA 4B Continuation of Intermediate Japanese 3  
JAPA 10A Beginning Conversational Japanese 3  
JAPA 10B Beginning Conversational Japanese 3  
JAPA 10C Intermediate Conversational Japanese 3  
JAPA 16 Beginning Kanji for Reading and Writing 3  
JAPA 17 Continuation of Beginning Kanji for Reading and Writing 3  
JAPA 18 Intermediate Kanji for Reading and Writing 3  
JAPA 39 Japanese Culture and Civilization 3  

Total Units: 11 

Overall Total Units: 16 - 17

Transfer Options

The program coursework you complete at City College will satisfy lower-division requirements for related majors at several colleges and universities. Start planning your transfer by exploring Japanese programs at the following institutions: 

  • San Francisco State University
  • San Jose State University
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of California, Davis
  • University of California, Santa Cruz
  • University of California, Los Angeles

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.