KCJS: Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies Information

Established in September 1989, the Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS, 京都アメリカ大学コンソーシアム) is a consortium of 13 American universities that sponsors a rigorous, two-semester academic program for undergraduates who wish to do advanced work in Japanese language and cultural studies. KCJS began as the Kyoto Center for Japanese Studies in the fall of 1989 as a consortium of nine American universities. It changed its name to the Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies in 2006 and now consists of 13 member institutions. KCJS is administered jointly by Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement and a full-time staff based in Kyoto. The KCJS offices and classrooms are located on the second floor of the Fusokan (扶桑館) building in Doshisha University’s Imadegawa campus. KCJS also maintains a longstanding relationship with Kyoto University, one of the top national universities in Japan. The “Kyodai” campus is only about ten minutes from Doshisha University by bicycle, and about twenty minutes on foot. During the academic year, qualified Doshisha and Kyodai students may enroll for credit in the afternoon subject courses taught by KCJS instructors. KCJS is thus in a unique position to provide opportunities to study alongside both Doshisha and Kyodai students, and to get to know them through the language exchange partner program, student clubs and various extracurricular activities.