Ateneo Japanese Studies Program

Check out the updated sched of ONSITE NFE classes!

Enroll today, start tomorrow!

Ateneo de Manila University
Japanese Studies Program

is now accepting enrollees for

𝗡 𝗜 𝗛 𝗢 𝗡 𝗚 𝗢 𝗙 𝗢 𝗥 𝗘 𝗩 𝗘 𝗥 𝗬 𝗢 𝗡 𝗘 𝟮 𝟬 𝟮 𝟲

Basic Japanese language courses for Ateneo and non-Ateneo learners, 16 years old and older.

𝐂𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝟐: 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐5 - 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
.....................................................................

𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱
𝐍𝐅𝐄 𝟭 - For those with no background in the Japanese language
𝐍𝐅𝐄 𝟮 - For those who have successfully finished NFE1 or 30 hours of basic Japanese
𝐉𝐋𝐏𝐓 𝐍𝟓/𝐍𝟒 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 - Contains review of grammatical patterns and kanji for the appropriate level; listening exercises, and mock tests similar to that of the actual test. THIS IS NOT A LECTURE CLASS, AND PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF JAPANESE APPROPRIATE TO THE JLPT LEVEL IS REQUIRED.

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗲:
Online : 𝗣𝟰,𝟴𝟬𝟬
Inclusive of online sessions (20 hours synchronous,10 hours asynchronous), teaching materials, and a certificate for those who will finish the NFE course successfully.




𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗼 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 & 𝗟𝗼𝘆𝗼𝗹𝗮 𝗤𝗖 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀:
𝐍𝐅𝐄 𝟭 - For those with no background in the Japanese language
𝐍𝐅𝐄 𝟮 - For those who have successfully finished NFE1 or 30 hours of basic Japanese

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗲: 𝗣𝟱,𝟱𝟬𝟬
Inclusive of 20 hours face-to-face classes and 10 hours asynchronous, teaching materials, and a certificate for those who will finish the NFE course successfully.

. .

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝗥 or thru this link:
https://go.ateneo.edu/NFECycle2-Registration

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 22 April 2026

. .

For further details, visit the Ateneo JSP webpage:
www.ateneo.edu/soss/japanese-studies/nihongo-for-everyone

Revised schedule of
Nihongo for Everyone Cycle 2:
25 April - 27 June 2026

The Sana-mania talk will now be held online via Zoom for those who are affected by the nationwide transport strike. The onsite event will still push through as scheduled.

To join, please scan the QR or click here:
https://bit.ly/Sana-mania

The Zoom details will be included in the confirmation message after you sign up.

In celebration of Women's Month 2026,
the Ateneo de Manila University
Japanese Studies Program
Dr. Rosita G. Leong School of Social Sciences

presents

𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐀-𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐀: 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐱 𝐈𝐭𝐬 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬?

A lecture by
Dr Hiroko Nagai
Assistant Professor, Japanese Studies Program

Elected as Japan’s first female prime minister in October 2025, Sanae Takaichi faces significant challenges, particularly in the area of gender equality. Japan continues to rank low on global gender equality indices, and public opinion is divided regarding Takaichi's leadership on gender-related issues. While some view her election as a symbolic breakthrough and a sign of progress, others regard her as an extension of the existing patriarchal political system. This talk explores Takaichi’s potential impact on Japan’s gender dynamics at a critical juncture. The country is confronting multiple structural pressures, including an aging population, a shrinking labor force, economic stagnation, and declining negotiating power with the United States and China. Within this context, it examines whether Takaichi’s leadership can translate into substantive institutional change that meaningfully shapes the lived experiences of Japanese people.

Friday, 27 March 2026
3:30 - 5:00PM
Faura AVR

Scan the code or sign-up here to join:
https://bit.ly/Sana-mania

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 & 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 "𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞"

The Japanese Studies Program, in partnership with the Department of History and the Department of Fine Arts, invites everyone to join comic creators Cat Aquino and Dominique Duran for a lecture on the creative process behind their VIZ Media debut, "Champion of the Rose".

This session offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how a high-stakes gladiatorial epic—set against the backdrop of the formidable Empire of Sagrada—was built through a synergy of rigorous historical research and bold fantasy world-building.

Through this talk, we hope students will gain insight into the coordination of roles required in professional book production and learn how to integrate complex historical research into a comic narrative without losing the "heart" of the story.

Register using the QR Code or go to https://bit.ly/Champion_of_the_Rose

Tuesday, 24 March 2026
5:00 - 6:30PM
Faura AVR

The Ateneo Japanese Studies Program and Koukon Co., Ltd. are hosting a dedicated talk for students eyeing a future in Japan. Discover the perks of working in one of the world’s most innovative hubs and get a "day-in-the-life" look at an engineering career at Naigai Denki.

Don't miss the live Q&A session to help clear your path to an international career.

Register now to secure your spot!
https://bit.ly/Koukon_InfoSession

Wednesday, 4 March 2026
11:00AM - 12:30PM
CTC 306

To interested college students:
𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 2026 𝐉𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 2026 𝐉𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

The JAL Scholarship Program invites college students from across Asia and Oceania to Japan every year and provides them with opportunities for workshops and cultural interchange. Through these activities, the Program aims to enhance their understanding beyond national borders.

Consisting of 7-day online program and 15-day study tour in Japan, the program will deepen your understanding about global environmental issues and help you come up with possible future solutions (i.e. Action Plans).

For more details about the scholarship program and its application requirements, see the link below.
2026年 JALスカラシッププログラム 海外学生参加者募集｜活動紹介：JALスカラシップ｜公益財団法人JAL財団

**Participants must be equivalent to or above Japanese Proficiency Test Level-N2.

Deadline: February 25 (Wednesday), 2026
Download the document from the link below, fill it out and send it to JAL Manila Office.

Download the Application Form Here: https://bit.ly/JALSCH2026

Email to JAL Manila Office: [email protected]

The Japanese Studies Program
Dr. Rosita G. Leong School of Social Sciences
Ateneo de Manila University

invites interested Ateneo students to

𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍 𝐉𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐍: 𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐓𝐀, 𝐓𝐎𝐊𝐘𝐎 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐒𝐀𝐊𝐀/𝐊𝐘𝐎𝐓𝐎

𝒃𝒚 𝑫𝒓 𝑴𝒊𝒌𝒊 𝑻𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒌𝒂𝒘𝒂
𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒅, 𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔, 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎 𝒊𝒏 𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔
𝑨𝒌𝒊𝒕𝒂 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚

𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 24 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 2026
3:30 - 5:00𝐏𝐌 𝐆-204, 2/𝐅 𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐳𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐀𝐃𝐌𝐔

PLEASE REGISTER HERE: 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝗯𝗶𝘁.𝗹𝘆/𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆_𝗶𝗻_𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻

_ _ _

In this talk, Dr Miki Tanikawa, a professor of media and journalism at Akita International University (AIU), will first discuss the opportunity to study at his university, which has a partnership with Ateneo de Manila. He will also discuss studying in Japan more broadly, including in Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto. A native of the Osaka/Kyoto region, Dr Tanikawa previously taught at Sophia University, where he received his BA, and at Waseda University, where he remains a visiting researcher.

While he does not represent any university other than his own, he would be delighted to discuss the benefits of studying in urban areas like Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto as compared to rural areas such as Akita (home to AIU) and Oita (home to Ritsumeikan Asia-Pacific University).

He will entertain any questions you may have about life, society, and culture in Japan, as well as career opportunities in the country.

We look forward to seeing you at this talk!

PLEASE REGISTER HERE: 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝗯𝗶𝘁.𝗹𝘆/𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆_𝗶𝗻_𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻

The Japanese Studies Program
In partnership with the Department of History
Dr. Rosita G. Leong School of Social Sciences
Ateneo de Manila University

cordially invite everyone to

THE 2026 JSP LECTURE SERIES
𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚-𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐖𝐚𝐫
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲

by
Shingo SATO, PhD.
Faculty of Social Information Studies,
Otsuma Women's University

on
Friday, 20 February 2026
5:00 - 6:30PM
Faura AVR

REGISTER HERE FOR FREE:
bit.ly/JSP_Lecture_Series_2


Abstract
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How is the Philippines remembered within the collective memory of Japanese society in the Asia-Pacific War? This lecture will examine the nature of Japan’s national memory and its representations of Southeast Asia. A notable feature is the appearance of the Philippines in the introductory sections of particular texts discussing the “victim” of the Battle of Okinawa or the Atomic Bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, the Philippines is typically represented in military terms, such as “fall” or “climatic battle”, meaning the “victim” of its civilians is seldom mentioned. Considering this issue, the lecture will explore the potential for a dialogue-based memory between Japan and the Philippines.

REGISTER NOW! bit.ly/JSP_Lecture_Series_2

The Japanese Studies Program from the
RGL-School of Social Sciences
invites you to our 2026 JSP Lecture Series titled

"Theorizing the Feminist Potentials of Japanese Women’s Fandom for Male Idols Through Usami Rin’s Oshi, Moyu"
By Dr Thomas Baudinette
Senior Lecturer in Japanese and International Studies in Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Languages and Literatures, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

Friday, 23 January 2026
5:00 - 6:30PM
SEC C 201
2/F SEC Building

Within Japanese girls’ culture, perhaps no fandom is more influential than that of the ubiquitous male celebrities known as ‘idols’ who dominate Japan’s media landscape. Usami Rin’s 2020 award-winning novella Oshi, Moyu (Idol, Burning) presents a thought-provoking window into the lives of the women who dedicate themselves to supporting these male idols via the practice known as oshi-katsu (pushing one’s ‘bias’). Rejecting the view that oshi-katsu solely represents a consumerist behaviour that entangles women within neoliberal structures geared towards their exploitation, this reading of Oshi, Moyu instead argues that oshi-katsu may operate as a significant practice which asserts the agency of women within a society that routinely silences their desires. This article argues that Oshi, Moyu explores the experiences of young women navigating precariousness in contemporary Japan’s hetero-patriarchal society to recuperate oshi-katsu as a feminist praxis. Through a ‘fanthropological’ reading of Oshi, Moyu, it brings previous scholarship on the Japanese idol industries into dialogue with recent feminist theorisations of fandom in Japan, providing a reparative analysis of women’s participation within the fandom which has been largely absent from the previous English-language literature on Japanese idols.

Dr Thomas Baudinette is Senior Lecturer in Global Cultures at the School of International Studies, Macquarie University. A cultural anthropologist, his research primarily explores how popular media and fandom culture inform knowledge about gender and sexuality across East and Southeast Asia. He is the author of Regimes of Desire: Young Gay Men, Media, and Masculinity in Tokyo (University of Michigan Press, 2021) and Boys Love Media in Thailand: Celebrity, Fans, and Transnational Asian Q***r Popular Culture (Bloomsbury, 2023). He is currently working on his third book, tentatively titled Q***r Fantasies of Asia: Japanese and Korean Media Fandom in the Philippines.

Register for this talk using the QR Code or click this link: https://bit.ly/JSPLectureSeries1