Knowledge of Japanese can give you advantages in the workforce, especially when paired with skills gained in your major field of study.
Japan's thriving financial sector, including the Tokyo Stock Exchange, may offer employment opportunities as large companies and multinational banks and finance firms work with their counterparts in Japan.
Additionally, Japan is well known for being home to a range of technology companies, including Sony, Casio and Canon as well as car manufacturers like Honda and Toyota and video game companies like Sega and Nintendo. Skills in business, information systems and computer science and engineering paired with experience in Japanese language and culture may help graduates find employment in large or small multinational companies engaged in international business or trade.
A minor in Japanese can also prepare you for careers that require foreign language proficiency, including translation and interpretation, which can be beneficial in diverse fields, from communications to health services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 24 percent job growth for interpreters and translators between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster than average. This growth is largely driven by globalization and an increasingly diverse U.S. population, according to the BLS.