For Current Students
こんにちは！ようこそ！
Welcome to the Japanese program at Lewis & Clark College. We offer a range of courses in Japanese language and literature, which contribute to the exciting programs in World Languages and in Asian Studies. In addition, we provide a Japanese minor, which combines a thorough grounding in the language with a knowledge of the literature and culture of Japan.
Our classes encompass four years of instruction, from Beginning Japanese to Advanced Readings in Fiction and Nonfiction, allowing students of all abilities to immerse themselves in both the written and spoken languages they will encounter in Japan. Literature in translation courses explore both pre-modern and modern fiction, exposing students to the rich tradition of Japanese writing from the past thousand years, everything from Heian court texts to contemporary writers like Murakami Haruki. These courses are taught in English and no knowledge of Japanese language is required.
Our students benefit from the numerous Japanese students on campus, many of whom will become their language-exchange partners. Many students also participate in Japan events around campus such as cooking with the Japanese club, going off-campus to Japan events, or dancing at the annual International Fair.
Nearly all of our students experience life in Japan through our study-abroad programs, offered for a single semester or for a full year. Our students study at one of four universities: Hokusei gakuen in Sapporo, Osaka Gakuin in Osaka, Seinan Gakuin in Fukuoka City or Waseda University in Tokyo (full year only).
Our students go on to a variety of careers after graduation. Many participate in the JET Program (we have had great success in placing graduates into JET as both CIRs and AETs). Some work for Japanese firms (Fed Ex Japn, software companies), and others go on to do graduate work (recent graduates have gone on to PhD programs in History at Harvard and Columbia, and on to law school at the University of Hawaii).
Come and find out more about Japanese at Lewis & Clark.
News
Our students won the first place and the third place in the annual Japanese speech contest!
On Saturday, April 19, the 29th Annual Toyama Cup speech contest was held.
The event is sponsored and hosted by Japan’s Toyama prefecture, Oregon’s sister state, and the Japan-America Society of Oregon (JASO). The event consists of a lower and higher level, with the champion of the higher level winning a trip and week-long stay in Toyama, Japan. All winners and runners-up received a variety of gifts from Toyama.
This year, students from Lewis & Clark, Oregon State University, Pacific University, Portland Community College, University of Oregon, and Mt.Hood Community College had a heated competition, where everyone demonstrated impressively high Japanese skills.
After extremely close-fought competitions, Charlotte Jaguzuy (Asian Studies major, Japanese minor ’25) came in first in the upper division, and Nico Quade (English Major ’27) came in third place in the lower division.
Charlotte will go visit the Toyama prefecture this summer as a cultural envoy!
Everyone in the Japanese section is so proud of them!
Teacher of the Year Winner!
It is with great pleasure to announce and congratulate our 2025 Teacher of the Year: Satomi Newsom, Instructor of Japanese. Satomi has inspired students through her dedication, passion, and excellence in teaching. Her commitment to student success and her dynamic contributions to the academic life of our college have truly set her apart.
Fullbright Information session
Interested in teaching, study, or research abroad after graduation?
The Fulbright program awards grants in over 160 countries.
Come and learn more about the Fulbright U.S. Student program, the opportunities it offers around the world, and the application process.