Japan Studies VIIB

Introduction to Japanese Politics and Mass Media

This course provides an overview of Japanese politics and mass media, helping students understand how political reporting functions in Japan. Through lectures, discussions, and student presentations, students will explore key political structures, historical developments, and the role of media in shaping public opinion. Topics include Japan’s political party system, factionalism ("habatsu"), the 1955 system ("55-nen taisei"), election dynamics, and media influence on political discourse. The course is designed for international students and Japanese students to learn together in an English-speaking environment.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

Understand key aspects of Japan’s political system, including its historical evolution.

Analyze the role of media in shaping political narratives.

Discuss major political events and their media coverage in Japan.

Develop critical thinking and presentation skills through discussions and presentations.

Students are expected to engage in in-class activities, such as discussions.

Lecture content changes depending on the student's learning level, attainment, and interests.

Provide feedback through class dialogue and discussion.

I highly evaluate in-class discussion and dialogue. Each time I will show you topics to cover the next session. Students are expected to think about the subject for the next week.

1回の授業につき予習・復習あわせて最低4時間の学修が必要となります。
「授業時間外の学修（予習・復習等）」に明記されている想定学修時間の合計が4時間を上回っている場合は、その学修時間を必要とします。

Each student is required to give presentations to the class, and all classmates will evaluate them.

＜教科書不要科目＞