This course allows you to develop your Japanese language skills and understanding of Japanese politics, history and culture. It’s open to students coming to the subject as an absolute beginner, as well as those with intermediate-level Japanese.Japan plays a significant role in both the global economy and international politics. It is home to a rich culture and history and a varied, changing society, boasting cultural ‘cool’ and high-tech innovation. However, it also faces complex social changes, all of which your studies will help you understand.You’ll become part of a community of staff and students in East Asian Studies at Leeds, whose expertise spans both Northeast and Southeast Asia. This means you’ll gain an understanding of both Japan and the broader region around it. In addition to travelling to Japan in your second year you can take modules on Chinese literature, Korean society and the broader East Asian region.This course is intended for non-native speakers of Japanese only. Specialist facilitiesOur Language Zone gives you access to free learning resources, including space for personal study, language learning software, and video, audio, books and magazines. You'll also have access to our translation computer labs equipped with specialist software and our interpreter training booths to explore different career options. With four libraries on campus, you’ll find space for study, group work and research. Our Japanese Studies collection has been curated since the 1990s, alongside our Chinese holdings (since the 1960s) and a growing Thai collection. The world class Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections – valuable assets for your independent research.You’ll have access to free classes and workshops so you can learn how to find resources and develop your study skills.