by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Japanese Studies involves the study of Japanese Studies. A Program That Focuses On The History, Society, Politics, Culture, And Economics Of The Peoples Of Japan, And Related Island Groups And Coastal Neighbors. Read on to learn the important information every japanese studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering japanese studies programs.
Nationwide, japanese studies is a popular field of study, with 64 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Japanese Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 15 schools to determine the best overall colleges for japanese studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of japanese studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for Japanese Studies emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations japanese studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a japanese studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a japanese studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several japanese studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 50 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 13 |
People currently working in careers related to japanese studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 60.5% |
| Master’s degree | 31.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.2% |
| First professional degree | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in japanese studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying japanese studies prepares you for numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to japanese studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to japanese studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of japanese studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,815 |
| 4 years | $54,317 |
| 5 years | $64,382 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for japanese studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers japanese studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 15 different japanese studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased japanese studies school rankings to help you.
Students interested in japanese studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| American/United States Studies/Civilization | 1,156 |
| Asian Studies/Civilization | 705 |
| Regional Studies (U.S., Canadian, Foreign) | 680 |
| Area Studies, Other | 630 |
| East Asian Studies | 581 |
| Latin American Studies | 498 |
| Near and Middle Eastern Studies | 317 |
| African Studies | 209 |
| French Studies | 143 |
| Russian Studies | 124 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
