Politics and Japanese

Politics and Japanese is a combination that equips you to understand one of the most significant countries in global affairs through both the theoretical frameworks of political science and the direct linguistic access that Japanese language study provides. Japan is the third largest economy in the world, a major ally and trading partner of the UK, a country with a distinctive and influential political culture, and a society navigating some of the most demanding challenges of the contemporary world, including demographic change, technological transformation and complex relationships with China and the United States. Understanding Japan well means understanding both its political institutions and its language and culture.

At the University of Manchester this four-year programme develops your Japanese from your starting point to an advanced level, while also giving you a thorough grounding in political science. In politics you will study political theory, comparative government, international relations and public policy, developing the analytical tools that allow you to engage rigorously with political questions. In Japanese you will develop proficiency across reading, writing, speaking and listening, and engage with Japanese culture, history and contemporary society.

The programme includes a sandwich year and work placement opportunities, giving you professional experience alongside your academic studies and extending your networks in relevant fields.

Graduates with combined politics and Japanese knowledge are well placed for careers in diplomacy, the foreign service, international organisations, journalism, business with a Japan focus, the civil service, academia, consultancy and NGO work. The ability to engage with Japanese political, cultural and economic life in the original language is a genuine and rare advantage in careers concerned with East Asia. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in Japanese studies, international relations, East Asian politics or area studies.

The combination is demanding and the rewards, professionally and intellectually, are correspondingly substantial.