In Term 1 of the 2025–26 academic year, the Department was pleased to once again have Koide-sensei host the Japanese Table for our MAJS students. This initiative provided a valuable platform for students to actively apply their Japanese language skills through structured discussion and meaningful interaction.
The Japanese Table sessions were held on 1 November 2025 (Saturday), 11:30–12:30 at WMY504, and on 12 November 2025 (Wednesday), 18:30–20:00 at YIA511. Participants prepared by viewing NHK’s Jiron Koron in advance and selected topics of interest for discussion. The exchange of diverse perspectives not only enhanced students’ ability to articulate opinions in Japanese but also fostered critical thinking.
Koide-sensei further arranged for Japanese exchange students to join the session, offering participants authentic opportunities to converse with native speakers. Although the themes were intellectually demanding, students expressed a strong sense of achievement and benefited from the teacher’s attentive guidance, which encouraged confident participation.
These sessions successfully combined academic learning with practical language use, reinforcing the department’s commitment to providing enriching experiences for MAJS students.
We were delighted to welcome over 30 students to our Orientation Meeting on 6 September 2025, marking a joyful start to the new academic year 2025-26. This year, we have a total of new 46 MAJS students.
Professor Jeremy Yellen delivered a welcome speech, introducing the programme structure, course schedule, and key academic requirements to help students begin the new academic year with confidence.
The event also featured group discussions, giving new students the opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and explore topics related to the programme. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Professor Jeremy Yellen for also hosting the Research & Writing Workshop, as well as to alumni Anny and Spencer, and our Year 2 and graduated student sharers for their valuable insights.
Congratulations to our 9 newly elected student representatives!
We look forward to a vibrant year together!
In May 2025, our MA students embarked on a two-day summer study trip in Tokyo. The itinerary included corporate visits, museum tours, and academic lectures, offering a multidisciplinary and cross-cultural learning experience.
The trip began with a visit to the Japanese public relations firm rayout inc. (rayout株式会社), where students learned about the company’s approach to developing strategic promotional plans for various enterprises. Through guided tours and discussions, students observed the practical aspects and industry culture of Japanese media.
Next, we visited the University of Tokyo’s Komaba Campus to explore an exhibition titled “The history of Chinese students at Ikko High School and Building No. 101 (一高中国人留学生と101号館の歴史展)”. The exhibition highlighted the experiences of Chinese students studying in Japan during the late Qing Dynasty and the educational exchanges between China and Japan.
In the afternoon, students attended an academic lecture hosted by Prof. CHEUNG Ching Yuen, focusing on climate change and human society. The lecture examined the impact of climate change on historical development from a philosophical perspective.
The day’s final visit was to TOKYO LEGAL MIND K.K. (LEC) (LEC東京リーガルマインド), a company specializing in professional training for lawyers, civil servants, and accountants. During the visit, students explored how Japan’s professional education system responds to societal needs and gained a deeper understanding of curriculum design and examination systems.
On the second day, the group traveled to Tatebayashi City in Gunma Prefecture to visit the Tanaka Shōzō Memorial Hall. They were warmly received by the hall’s director, Kaoru Shimano, who introduced the collection and shared insights into Tanaka Shōzō’s legacy.
At the memorial hall, students engaged with Prof. Horie Norichika from the University of Tokyo, discussing the environmental philosophy of Tanaka Shōzō and the Ashio Copper Mine incident. They also participated in a public commemorative lecture organized by the memorial hall, further exploring how local communities confront destruction and imbalance during modernization.
Once again, we express our sincere gratitude to all the individuals and organizations who welcomed and engaged with us during our time in Tokyo.
Dear Prospective Students and Friends,
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us for the Information Session for the 2025-26 Master of Arts in Japanese Studies (MAJS).
The session began with a warm welcome message from our Programme Director, Dr. AOYAMA Reijiro, who shared insightful perspectives on the features of the MAJS programme. He introduced MAJS teaching team and provided a detailed overview of the course structure, programme details, and the enriching learning activities.
We were delighted to have our current students shared their personal learning experiences with us. Their stories and reflections offered invaluable insights into the opportunities that the programme provides, giving attendees a clear sense of what to expect as part of the MAJS community.
Thank you once again for your support and participation. We sincerely look forward to welcoming you to the MAJS family in the near future.
Warm regards,
Department of Japanese Studies
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
We are thrilled to announce the 2023-2024 MAJS (Master of Arts in Japanese Studies) Scholarship Presentation Ceremony, held in November 2024. This meaningful event celebrated the outstanding academic achievements of our first-year students, recognizing their hard work, dedication, and excellence in the field of Japanese Studies.
The MAJS Scholarship is awarded annually to first-year students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance within the MA Programme in Japanese Studies. This prestigious scholarship not only acknowledges their achievements but also serves as encouragement for continued success in their academic journey.
This year, five exemplary students were honored with the MAJS Scholarship for achieving the highest cumulative CGPA at the time of nomination. Our scholarship recipients, were presented with certificates during the ceremony by our distinguished faculty: Dr. AOYAMA, Prof. PETERS, Dr. LIN, and Dr. TU.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to each of the awardees. Their accomplishments fill us with immense pride, and we eagerly look forward to witnessing their continued growth and future successes.
Once again, congratulations to our scholarship recipients for their well-deserved recognition!
We are pleased to share the successful completion of the 2024-2025 MAJS (Master of Arts in Japanese Studies) Programme Orientation Day, held on 31st August 2024. This event was a gesture of the Programme’s warm welcome of our new cohort of students into the MAJS community.
The Orientation Day commenced with a welcome speech by Dr. AOYAMA, the Programme Director, who introduced the new students to the MAJS Programme, outlining the course structure, academic expectations, and key programme offerings. This sets the stage for students to gain a clear understanding of what lies ahead in their academic journey.
In addition to meeting the MAJS faculty, new students had the opportunity to interact with current students and gain valuable insights into the programme. An alumni sharing session further enriched the day, where former students shared their experiences and provided practical advice on how to make the most of their time in the programme.
The day also featured a campus tour, led by student representatives, allowing new students to explore the beautiful CUHK campus and familiarize themselves with important locations and resources that will support their academic success.
Overall, the event fostered a strong sense of community and excitement for the year ahead, as students, alumni, and faculty came together to celebrate the beginning of a new academic chapter.
We warmly welcome all of our new students into the MAJS family and wish them great success in their studies.
Are you a sweet tooth and fancy about Japanese traditional delicate and appealing craftmanship? MAJS held a Japanese Wagashi (和菓子)workshop last week for our current students and we would like to share with your all the incredible highlights!
We are honoured to have a Wagashi professional instructor, Ms. Doris Wong, among our students to share the knowledge. The workshop kicked off with a quick run-through of Wagashi’s history and cultural significance, and then it was straight to the fun part – shaping and sculpting our very own Wagashi!
A huge thanks to Doris and all our participating students (Matthew, Timmy, Alice, Eunice, and others) for making this workshop a hit.
A brief background knowledge on Wagashi
Japan is renowned for its exquisite cuisine and food culture, which includes a wide range of desserts and sweets. Among the oldest and most traditional types of sweets in Japan is wagashi (和菓子), a form of confectionery that has been enjoyed for centuries. The origins of wagashi can be traced back to the Edo Period in Japan, which spanned from the 1600s to the mid-1860s. This confectionery holds great importance in Japanese culture and has evolved into an art form, with visually stunning and delicately crafted sweets that tantalize both the eyes and the taste buds. Wagashi also holds deep symbolic and cultural significance, which is why they are typically refined and not typically consumed in everyday casual settings.
Face-to-face summer exchange has been suspended for 3 threes and thanks to the re-opening of border, CUHK-MAJS has resumed the “actual” summer exchange and the one held at the end of May with Shinshu University was an absolute success! Our students were able to enjoy and experience Japanese culture on-site and the 2-day trip was full of eye-opening experiences and loads of laughter!
MAJS would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the support from student representatives and participations from our students!
Here’s the contents of photos in sequence:
1) Iconic group photo
2-3) Souvenir exchange – CUHK – Prof. Nakano(Ms.) and Shinshu University – Sengoku Senior Assistant Professor(Mr.)
4) Dinner @Aplico Plaza Hotel
5) In front of Matsumoto Castle
6) What a lovely souvenir! Kusama Yayoi’s exhibition @Matsumoto Museum of Art
7-8) Ishii Miso Brewery and a taste of local-made products
9) Nawate Street – featuring frog theme. Frog in Japanese is “Kaeru”, same pronunciation as the word “return” in Japanese. This resonates the meaning of “returning home safe”
10) Crafts Fair Matsumoto – Every year in May, craftsman from all over Japan will gather in Matsumoto and appeal to the audience of their crafted goods
Do you know where is Shinshu University?
It’s in Matsumoto-shi, Nagano Prefecture, about 3 hours train distance from Tokyo. This is definitely one of the beautiful backyard of Tokyo!
The online exchange covers 2 topics on Nature and Local attractions. Students shared their own cultures with each other and MAJS students are thrilled to visit Shinshu U next month too! 🥳🥳
Have you heard of a Japanese paper carve called “Erimono”? It is an unique Japanese paper carvings decorated on the square stage “Konawa”（神庭）, where the scared “Yokagura”( 夜神楽)* dance was performed. “Erimono” art piece represents good luck and has a variety of designs, such as the cosmic dual forces (yin and yang) ,the five elements, and the twelve Chinese zodiac signs.
MAJS is honoured to have Mr. Ueki, the Managing Director of Miyazaki Prefectural（宮崎県）Hong Kong Representative Office, as the “Erimono” instructor and shared with us the traditional culture, the myths, the art pieces , the food, and scenery from Miyazaki.
MAJS students enjoyed creating their own colourful paper carvings and were excited to learn more about Japanese culture outside classroom! 😊
*“Yokagura” , originated from Takachiho (高千穂) in Miyazaki prefecture, renowned as the birthplace of Japanese mythology, is a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in Japan .
Mr. Ueki, Managing Director of the Miyazaki Prefectural HK Representative Office(Right) and Prof. Nakano (Left)
Erimono, the beautiful Japanese paper carving art
Shamisen is a traditional three-stringed instrument which is believed to be originated from Ryukyu Kingdom (Okinawa).
It can be served as an accompaniment to kabuki drama and narrative shows or played as a solo instrument.
In this activity, our Shamisen instructor, Mr. Kenneth Mak, who is currently a jun-natori （準名取）, has introduced the history of Tsugaru shamisen＜津軽三味線＞, which is deeply tied to the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture.
MAJS students were thrilled to play Shamisen with great success! It was some rare and unforgettable experiences!
Japanese Origami is a Japanese traditional paper craft, and the term ‘origami’ refers to the art of folding paper to shape objects for entertainment purposes.
MAJS is honoured to invite an experienced Origami instructor – Ms. Misaki NAGAOKA, to host this workshop.
This is some precious and relaxing cultural experiences outside classrooms.
Our students learnt about the background knowledge of Origami and created their own beautiful and unique masterpieces!
Japanese Budo Festival is one of the programme events in “Japan Autumn Festival in Hong Kong – Rediscovering Nippon 2022”.
Thanks to one of our MA students, Mr. Alex Cheung, who possess in-depth knowledge in Japanese martial arts, has offered some free tickets exclusively for our fellow MA students to enjoy various Budo performances.
It was an exhilarating and valuable experience to our students!
Notes: There were 4 Japanese martial arts entities participating in the Budo Festival –
*Iaido「千月堂」
*Aikido「佑武會」
*Karate「橋治會」
*Shakuhachi「鈴法會」
Mr. Alex Cheung (Middle) has kindly offered the entry tickets.
Little Karate experts from 「橋治會」preparing for the performance.
Here comes the first activity organized by MAJS student representatives!
A Campus Tour was held on 17th Sept 2022 especially for newly admitted year-one students.
Through this, they become acquainted with each other and the campus, thus contributing to their fulfilling study period.
Applause for our students’ effort to organize and run this tour!
The 2022 Orientation Meeting was held on 3 September 2022. Thank you for our students’ participation! Our Programme Director, Professor Lynne Nakano, has given a brief introduction of the MA programme and other points to note. We are very much delighted to meet with Year 1 new students, and are truly thankful to MAJS student representatives, alumni and current Year 2 students who has generously shared their study experiences.
This year, MAJS is celebrating our 10th Anniversary. It’s a pity that, due to continuing pandemic, we are not able to gather for any reception party.
In view of this, we have prepared a small gift to all participants on that day.
We hope students have benefited from the Orientation and would like the gift! ?
MAJS Programme Director: Prof. Lynne Nakano
A small gift to the participants
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