Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Academic Office
  1. Chapter 8: APS / Chapter 9: APM / Chapter 10: ST
  2. 5. Common Education Subjects (Language Education Subjects)

5-2. Japanese Language

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Many of the international students who enroll at APU have never spoken a word of Japanese before arriving at an airport in Japan. The Japanese language education program at APU assists students through the phases of their studies, from basic hiragana characters to complex sentence structures and beyond.

232023 Curriculum

  • 1.Students who enrolled as new (1st-semester) students from AY 2023 onwards.
  • 2.Students who enrolled as 2nd-year transfer students from AY 2024 onwards.
  • 3.Students who enrolled as 3rd-year transfer students from AY 2025 onwards.

Japanese Language Subjects・Language for Specific Purposes

For English-basis students, the starting level of your required Japanese language courses will be based on the results of the placement test taken at the time of enrollment.
Language for Specific Purposes is offered to students who have completed the required Japanese language subjects and wish to develop their language ability further. As each course has its own prerequisites and recommended language level, please refer to the syllabus for details.
In addition, Japanese-basis International students can take Language for Specific Purposes courses, so please check the PDF for details.
Required Language Subjects・Language for Specific Purposes

Specific Subjects

Subject Name (Number of Credits) Required / Elective Registration
Japanese Linguistics for Japanese Language Education (2) Elective Registered by student
Japanese Language Teaching (2) Elective Registered by student

Credits from these courses are counted as Language Education Course credits. Please check the course syllabus for information on the content of the course and prerequisites.

Japanese Learning Materials - Language Proficiency Exams

Information about useful apps, the SALC (Self-Access Learning Center), and other resources to help you learn the language are shown below.

Japanese Language Learning App [TOBIRA]

App Store Google Play

  • *Not available on tablet devices.
  • *Recommended environment: iOS (iOS 11.0 and above), Android (Android 8.0 and above).

Japanese Language Teaching Materials [TOBIRA]

The content of materials published in Tobira are available in video and audio format.

Language Proficiency Exams

APU encourages students to take the following tests to objectively measure their Japanese language skills.

SALC (Self-Access Learning Center)

In the SALC, in addition to various levels of learning materials written in English and Japanese we also provide self-study guidance so you can effectively develop the skills you want to focus on. Please feel free to stop by!

AY 2024 Spring Semester Placement Tests

Schedule(Detail will be announced by e-mail)
  • *Online Test
    1st session : February 15th – 18th(For all students taking Japanese Language course)
    2nd session : March 5th – 7th (Some students may be required to take the test depending on the results of the first session of the online test.)
  • * In-Person Test / Interview : Marth 25th (For all students taking Japanese Language course)

Japanese Subject Timetable for 2024 Spring Semester Students

Current Students / Exchange & fee-based study abroad students
→It is announced on Campus Terminal “Action Required” on 15th March, 2024.

New and Returning students
→It is announced on Campus Terminal “Action Required” on 3rd April, 2024.

Japanese Language Subject Exemption

Students at APU are required to take language courses in their non-basis language as a graduation requirement. The starting level of these required language subjects is determined by the placement test taken at the time of enrollment. However, in the following cases it is possible to apply for an exemption for Japanese language subjects.

While at APU

【Application Criteria】
  • The student must not apply for a subject which they are taking in the semester of application.
  • The student has obtained a valid score on either JLPT or EJU which fulfills the exemption criteria.
  • If a student does not possess a valid score, they must include a signature of recommendation from the instructor of their Japanese language class (or instructor of a past class) in their application form.
【Exemption Criteria】
  • The student must earn a passing grade (A+/A/B/C) for their registered Japanese subjects (if taking Japanese subjects in the semester of application).
  • The student must pass the interview which will be conducted after the application (if not taking Japanese subjects in the semester of application).

While Studying Abroad or Taking a Leave of Absence

【Application Criteria】
  • A valid JLPT or EJU score that was attained while studying abroad or taking a leave of absence which fulfills the exemption criteria.
  • The student must apply for an exemption during the semester immediately preceding their return to APU.

Exemption Criteria

Subject Name Exemption Criteria
Japanese Foundation I JLPT 4th level (old) or JLPT (new) N5
Japanese Foundation II
Japanese Foundation III JLPT 3rd level (old) or JLPT (new) N4
Japanese Intermediate EJU, Japanese 200 points or JLPT (new) N3
Pre-Advanced Japanese EJU, Japanese 220 points or JLPT (new) N3
Advanced Japanese EJU, Japanese 240 points or JLPT (new) N2

Application Schedule

Details of the application schedule will be announced on Campus Terminal.

Semester Application Period Interview date Announcement of the result
Spring Semester Around July Late July – Early August Grade Announcement date
Fall Semester Around January Early February Grade Announcement date

Application Method

Information on how to apply will be announced on Campus Terminal. The screening will be based on your application content and an interview. To apply, you must submit your test results (expired results not accepted). Please be sure to keep the original copy.

Score Sheet

An "original score sheet" is a certificate or report from a testing organization which clearly shows your pass/fail exam results. This must be printed by the testing organization itself, and documents that have been downloaded will not be accepted. Please note that testing organizations may take several days to reissue score sheets, so please apply well in advance if you need any additional certificates.

Interview

If you are unable to attend the interview, your application will be rejected. Please make sure you are available for the interview.

Important Notes

In principle, applications for exemption cannot be cancelled after taking the exemption exam.
Please note your exemption application will be canceled or rejected in the cases shown below.

  • Application is incomplete
  • Application submitted after the deadline
  • Details of submitted certificate data, such as proficiency exam score sheet, is unclear, or if the original cannot be produced following request by the office
  • Lack of score from a designated exam
【Only for exchange students or students on leave of absence】
  • Score was not received while on “leave of absence” or during “period of exchange”
  • Does not attend interview on the designated day (for any reason)

Language Class Attendance Rules

The following rules concerning class attendance will apply to all language education subjects (English, Japanese, AP languages). In addition, each class may have special rules concerning attendance. Please be sure to confirm these in each course syllabus.

Attendance

Please attend all classes. Even if you must be absent from class for an unavoidable reason, you must attend at least ¾ of all classes (including regular classes days and final exam days). If you do not fulfill this attendance requirement, you will receive an automatic failing grade (F) for the course.

Absences

If you are not present at the time class attendance is taken, you will be marked absent. However, absences may be excused in the following cases:

【Absences due to Legally-Recognized Infectious Disease】

You must submit a certificate from a medical institution stating that you have contracted a legally-recognized infectious disease to the Academic Office. The Academic Office will contact your course instructor directly in the following days.

【University-Authorized Absences】

The office involved (Academic Office / Student Office / Career Office, etc.) will contact your course instructor directly with the required documents. The student is not required to submit any documents to the instructor.

172017 Curriculum

  • 1.Students who enrolled as new (1st-semester) students between AY 2017 and AY 2022.
  • 2.Students who enrolled as 2nd-year transfer students between AY 2018 and AY 2023.
  • 3.Students who enrolled as 3rd-year transfer students between AY 2019 and AY 2024.

Japanese Language Subjects・Language for Specific Purposes

For English-basis students, the starting level of required Japanese language subjects will be based on the results of the placement test taken at the time of enrollment.
Language for Specific Purposes is offered to students who have completed the required Japanese language subjects and wish to develop their language ability further. As each course has its own prerequisites and recommended language level, please refer to the syllabus for details.
Required Language Subjects・Language for Specific Purposes (PDF)

Specific Subject

Subject name (Number of credits) Required / Elective Registration
Japanese Linguistics for Japanese Language Education (2) Elective Registered by student
Japanese Language Teaching (2) Elective Registered by student

Subject field of Specific Subject is Language Education Subject. Please refer to the syllabus for class content.

Japanese learning materials - Language Proficiency Exams

In the following, you will find some information on useful apps, the SALC (Self-Access Learning Center) and other resources to help you learn the language.

Japanese language learning app [TOBIRA]

App Store Google Play

  • *This service is not available on tablet devices.
  • *Recommended environment: iOS (iOS 11.0 and above), Android (Android 8.0 and above).

Japanese language teaching materials [TOBIRA]

The contents of the teaching materials published in the Tobira are available in video and audio formats.

Language Proficiency Exams

APU encourages students to take the following tests to objectively measure their Japanese language skills.

SALC (Self-Access Learning Center)

SALC has a wide range of English and Japanese materials at different levels and also offers self-study guidance to help you develop the skills you want to improve efficiently. Please feel free to drop in.

Japanese subject Timetable for 2024 Spring semester students

Current Students / Exchange & fee-based study abroad students
→It is announced on Campus Terminal “Action Required” on 15th March, 2024.

New and Returning students
→It is announced on Campus Terminal “Action Required” on 3rd April, 2024.

Japanese Language Subject Exemption

For students at APU it is a graduation requirement to take required language subjects in their non-basis language. The starting level of these required language subjects is determined by the placement test taken at the time of enrollment. In the following instances, however, it is possible to apply for exemption for Japanese language subjects.

While in APU

【Application criteria】
  • The student must not apply for a subject which they are taking in the semester of application.
  • The student has obtained a valid score on either JLPT or EJU which fulfills the exemption criteria.
  • If a student does not possess a valid score, a recommendation signature of the Japanese language class instructor (signatures from past instructors are also acceptable) must be included in the application form.
【Exemption criteria】
  • A pass grade (A+/A/B/C) for registered Japanese subjects [If a student is taking Japanese subjects in the semester of application].
  • The student must pass the interview which will be conducted after the application. [If a student is not taking Japanese subjects in the semester of application]

While studying abroad or taking a leave of absence

【Application criteria】
  • A valid JLPT or EJU score that was attained while studying abroad or taking a leave of absence which fulfills the exemption criteria.
  • The student must apply for an exemption during the semester immediately preceding their return to APU.

Exemption Criteria

Subject Name Exemption Criteria
Japanese Foundation I JLPT 4th level (old) or JLPT (new) N5
Japanese Foundation II
Japanese Foundation III JLPT 3rd level (old) or JLPT (new) N4
Japanese Intermediate EJU, Japanese 200 points or JLPT (new) N3
Pre-Advanced Japanese EJU, Japanese 220 points or JLPT (new) N3
Advanced Japanese EJU, Japanese 240 points or JLPT (new) N2

Application Schedule

Details of application schedule will be announced through Campus Terminal.

Semester Application Period Interview date Announcement of the result
Spring Semester Around July Late July – Early August Grade Announcement date
Fall Semester Around January Early February Grade Announcement date

Application Method

The application method will be announced through Campus Terminal. The screening will be judged comprehensively based on the application and the interview.
The score sheet (within the expiration/validated date) is required to apply. Please keep the original document at hand.

Score Sheet

An "original score sheet" is a certificate or report from a testing organization which shows an evaluation of language ability. This must be printed by the testing organization itself, and downloaded documents will not be accepted. Please note that the testing organizations may require several days in order to reissue score sheets, therefore we ask that you apply well in advance when an additional certificate is needed.

Interview

If you are unable to attend the interview, your application will be considered invalid. Be sure to have your time available for the interview appointment.

Important Notes

In principle, students cannot cancel the application after taking the exemption test.
Also, please note that the exemption application will be invalid or will not be considered in the following cases.

  • The application is incomplete or incorrect.
  • Application documents are not submitted or do not arrive by the deadline.
  • If the online submitted certificate, such as a qualification exam score sheet, is unclear, or if the original document cannot be submitted when requested by the office.
  • The test score is not one of the specified qualifications for exemption.
【Only for students who are applying for exemption while they are studying abroad or are taking a leave of absence】
  • The score was not attained during "study abroad" or while taking a "leave of absence"
  • The student does not attend the interview on the specified day (regardless of the reason).

Language Class Attendance Rules

The following rules concerning class attendance will apply to all language education subjects (English, Japanese, AP languages).
In addition, each class may have special rules concerning attendance. Please be sure to confirm these in each course syllabus.

Attendance

Please attend all classes. If circumstances require your absence, you will still be required to attend at least 3/4 of the classes (including regular class days and final exam). If you do not attend this number of classes, you will automatically receive a failing (F) grade for the course.

Absence

If you are not present at the time class attendance is taken, you will not be counted present. However, absences may be excused in the following cases:

【Contraction of an infectious disease (as recognized by Japanese School Health Law)】

Students must apply to the APU Academic Office with the required documentation in order to have their absences from class excused for this reason.

【University-authorized leave of absence】

The relevant APU office (i.e. Academic Office, Student Office, Career Office) will send the documents directly to the class teacher. The student does not need to submit the documents to the teacher.

112011 Curriculum

  • 1.Students who enrolled as new (1st-semester) students between AY 2011 and AY 2016.
  • 2.Students who enrolled as 2nd-year transfer students between AY 2011 and AY 2017.
  • 3.Students who enrolled as 3rd-year transfer students between AY 2011 and AY 2018.
  • 4.Students who originally enrolled before AY 2011, but as a result of reinstatement or readmission will be in the same semester as students in Group 1.

Japanese Language Subjects・Language for Specific Purposes

For English-basis students, the starting level of required Japanese language subjects will be based on the results of the placement test taken at the time of enrollment.
Language for Specific Purposes is offered to students who have completed the required Japanese language subjects and wish to develop their language ability further. As each course has its own prerequisites and recommended language level, please refer to the syllabus for details.
Required Language Subjects・Language for Specific Purposes (PDF)

Study Support・Language Proficiency Exams

In the following, you will find some information on useful apps, the SALC (Self-Access Learning Center) and other resources to help you learn the language.

Japanese language learning app [TOBIRA]

App Store Google Play

  • *This service is not available on tablet devices.
  • *Recommended environment: iOS (iOS 11.0 and above), Android (Android 8.0 and above).

Japanese language teaching materials [TOBIRA]

The contents of the teaching materials published in the Tobira are available in video and audio formats.

Language Proficiency Exams

APU encourages students to take the following tests to objectively measure their Japanese language skills.

SALC (Self-Access Learning Center)

SALC has a wide range of English and Japanese materials at different levels and also offers self-study guidance to help you develop the skills you want to improve efficiently. Please feel free to drop in.

Off-campus Programs

Please refer toOff-campus Programs

Japanese subject Timetable for 2024 Spring semester students

Current Students / Exchange & fee-based study abroad students
→It is announced on Campus Terminal “Action Required” on 15th March, 2024.

New and Returning students
→It is announced on Campus Terminal “Action Required” on 3rd April, 2024.

Japanese Language Subject Exemption

For students at APU it is a graduation requirement to take required language subjects in their non-basis language. The starting level of these required language subjects is determined by the placement test taken at the time of enrollment. In the following instances, however, it is possible to apply for exemption for Japanese language subjects.

Exemption Criteria

  • The student is studying abroad or taking a leave of absence at the time of application.
  • The student must have received a score for a university-designated language proficiency exam while studying abroad or taking a leave of absence, and must be able to submit the application for exemption one semester before returning to the university.

Exemption Criteria

Subject Name Exemption Criteria
Japanese Foundation I JLPT 4th level (old) or JLPT (new) N5
Japanese Foundation II
Japanese Foundation III JLPT 3rd level (old) or JLPT (new) N4
Japanese Intermediate EJU, Japanese 200 points or JLPT (new) N3
Pre-Advanced Japanese EJU, Japanese 220 points or JLPT (new) N3
Advanced Japanese EJU, Japanese 240 points or JLPT (new) N2

Application Schedule

Details of application schedule will be announced through Campus Terminal.

Semester Application Period Interview Date Announcement of the Result
Spring Semester Around July Late July – Early August Grade Announcement Date
Fall Semester Around January Early February Grade Announcement Date

Application Method

The application method will be announced through Campus Terminal. The screening will be judged comprehensively based on the application and the interview.
The score sheet (within the expiration/validated date) is required to apply. Please keep the original document at hand.

Score Sheet

An "original score sheet" is a certificate or report from a testing organization which shows an evaluation of language ability. This must be printed by the testing organization itself, and downloaded documents will not be accepted. Please note that the testing organizations may require several days in order to reissue score sheets, therefore we ask that you apply well in advance when an additional certificate is needed.

Interview

If you are unable to attend the interview, your application will be considered invalid. Be sure to have your time available for the interview appointment.

Important Notes

In principle, students cannot cancel the application after taking the exemption test.
Also, please note that the exemption application will be invalid or will not be considered in the following cases.

  • The application is incomplete or incorrect.
  • Application documents are not submitted or do not arrive by the deadline.
  • If the online submitted certificate, such as a qualification exam score sheet, is unclear, or if the original document cannot be submitted when requested by the office.
  • The test score is not one of the specified qualifications for exemption.
【Only for students who are applying for exemption while they are studying abroad or are taking a leave of absence】
  • The score was not attained during "study abroad" or while taking a "leave of absence"
  • The student does not attend the interview on the specified day (regardless of the reason).

Language Class Attendance Rules

The following rules concerning class attendance will apply to all language education subjects (English, Japanese, AP languages).
In addition, each class may have special rules concerning attendance. Please be sure to confirm these in each course syllabus.

Attendance

Please attend all classes. If circumstances require your absence, you will still be required to attend at least 3/4 of the classes (including regular class days and final exam). If you do not attend this number of classes, you will automatically receive a failing (F) grade for the course.

Absence

If you are not present at the time class attendance is taken, you will not be counted present. However, absences may be excused in the following cases:

【Contraction of an infectious disease (as recognized by Japanese School Health Law)】

Students must apply to the APU Academic Office with the required documentation in order to have their absences from class excused for this reason.

【University-authorized leave of absence】

The relevant APU office (i.e. Academic Office, Student Office, Career Office) will send the documents directly to the class teacher. The student does not need to submit the documents to the teacher.

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