New Opportunities for Japanese Universities to Internationalize Communication Courses

• Published in: Journal of technical writing and communication Vol. 54; no. 2; pp. 163 - 180
• Main Author: Fujio, Misa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-04-2024; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Communication; Education reform; English; Native Speakers; Universities; partnership with overseas universities; Japan Virtual Campus (JV Campus); Top Global Universities in Japan; global human resources; Japanese educational reforms
• ISSN: 0047-2816; 1541-3780
• DOI: 10.1177/00472816231188110

Due to the economic sluggishness seen in Japan over the past few decades and the shrinking inward investment market, the Japanese government has introduced educational reforms in order to foster “global human resources” able to compete with overseas talent. One key area of emphasis has been communication education with a special focus on English. In this article, after reviewing the government’s reform plans, the author will analyze (1) how Japanese universities have incorporated these policies into their organizations, with an emphasis on the country’s internationally top-rated universities, and (2) how individual instructors have modified them for their own classes, with reference to a specific case of a successful partnership with an overseas university. Based on the analyses, future opportunities for communication studies will be highlighted in “Discussion” section, including stronger and more flexible ties with overseas universities, in particular among the Asia-Pacific Region, and how a country of non-native speakers of English could show initiative in developing collaborations with overseas universities.