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(1) INTRODUCTION

The Advanced Japanese Studies Program (AJSP) commences for the first time in April 2000. It is an intensive but flexible Japanese language acquisition program for learners who already have JLPT Level 2 proficiency, a recognized equivalent level or higher. The intense interactive 21 class per week schedule is designed to prepare students for professional careers where a high level of Japanese proficiency is required and for successful entry into leading undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Japanese universities and colleges.

The program has a strong emphasis on preparing academic skills in Japanese and fluency in Japanese conversation. The curriculum particularly stresses reading and oral proficiency and students commencing the program with Level 2 Proficiency are expected to reach JLPT Level 1 well before the program conclusion. Students commencing with a level higher than JLPT Level 2 are expected to reach very high levels of proficiency.

(Note: This file is long and contains all of the information relevant to the AJSP. Readers interested in applying are advised to print or copy the file for further reference.)

PROGRAM OUTLINE

The AJSP is available in 3-month quarters for 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The maximum period of study is 12 months. Students can choose which quarter they wish to graduate in. The AJSP is taught from pre-advanced level only (Japanese Language Proficiency Test level 2). All applicants will need to demonstrate proof of proficiency by forwarding a copy of their JLPT results, presenting a letter of recommendation from a Professor or Japanese Faculty member of a university recognized by Yamasa, or passing an entrance examination either on arrival in Japan or after a minimum of 1 quarter of studies in Yamasa's Academic Intensive Japanese program (AIJP).

The AJSP is taught by designated teaching team selected from Yamasa's faculty members who will provide considerable variety, although one faculty member will be designated as your academic advisor. All of the teachers are native speaking, fully qualified and highly experienced professional teachers of Japanese as a foreign language. Before assuming positions in the AJSP teaching team, all of the faculty are required to have considerable experience in teaching Japanese as a second language both overseas and teaching Yamasa's AIJP.

Classes are taught via the direct method only. You will hear no foreign languages in the classroom and will be expected to speak Japanese only at all times.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

There are 4 quarters (terms) per year. The AJSP commences in April (Spring Quarter) , July (Summer Quarter) , October (Autumn/Fall Quarter) and January (Winter Quarter) . Students requiring student visas (Shugakusei) need to commence in April (Spring Quarter) or October (Autumn Quarter).

From April 2000 to March 2001, there are 213 program days involving 901 program hours. This means that in addition to being one of the few programs designed for pre-advanced students, the AJSP is also one of the more intensive programs in the country, and yet retains the same low at-cost tuition rates.

NOTE 1: *Each program hour is calculated as 50 minutes in accordance with APJLE regulations.
NOTE 2: **"Other" includes time spent in essential tasks such as placement testing, speech contests etc that while not considered formal lessons are integral to the program.

There are 21 classes per week. Classes start at 9.00am and finish at 2.30pm from Mondays to Wednesdays. On Thursdays and Fridays classes are from 9.00am to 11.50pm. Each class period is of 50 minutes duration. An ususual feature is the self-guided study periods (not included in the 21 hour per week schedule) where AJSP faculty assist you in identifying individual areas for improvement and assist your self-learning where requested. An average weekly schedule would resemble something similar to the following:

Please note that the above schedule is only a sample and would not apply throughout the length of the program or in similar emphasis. Athough a strong focus on grammar is a key part of Yamasa's curriculum, all-round skills are essential and the curriculum will differ in emphasis at different times of the year. Yamasa's teaching teams use an interactive style - you will be expected to participate in class discussions, debates and activities.

The 21 contact classes does not include self-learning (guided or unguided) or preparation time. In addition, all students enrolling in the AJSP will be able to learn to use Japanese language software and send/receive email in Japanese during their FIRST quarter. (A "name"@yamasa.org email address is supplied free on request) The objective is to improving the suitability of using the AJSP as a springboard to employment or further studies.

PROGRAM DATES

*Japan has a large number of public holidays. The dates listed in the "Holidays" are public holidays occurring on weekdays. The only exception is the 1 week break in August (the Obon festival). As all weekends are holidays they have not been listed.

AJSP students are required to arrive in Okazaki at least 1 day prior to commencement. If you are travelling across 6 time zones or more (ie there is a time difference of 6 hours or more between your location and Japan) then we advise you to arrive 2 days early. AJSP students can move into accommodation up to 3 days prior to commencement and stay for 3 days after without additional charge. Students who need to arrive earlier than 3 days prior to the program commencement should inform Admissions as far in advance as possible. Students arriving at Nagoya International Airport can arrange to be met by our free pickup service. Students arriving by train can be met at Okazaki Station. For more information please read the Location file in the center homepage.

PROGRAM COST

The low cost location, non-profit status and long-term financial support provided by the Hattori Foundation enables Yamasa to provide the AJSP at cost price to international students.

Application Fees:

NOTE 1: *For student visa information, please read carefully through the visa requirements section in the center homepage.
NOTE 2: There is no application fee if you are enrolling for 1 quarter only, or if you do not require a student visa.
NOTE 3: The application fee covers most of the costs incurred by Yamasa in obtaining the visa. However even if processing your visa incurs costs well in excess of 21000 yen, you will NOT be required to make additional payments.
NOTE 4: Students requiring a student visa are usually required to enrol for a minimum of 2 quarters (6 months). If your university or other scheduling requirements are such that you need to enroll for longer than 1 quarter but are not able to enroll for a full two quarters then please contact the Admissions Coordinator Mr Declan Murphy at Admissions and explain your requirements.

Tuition fees:

NOTE 1: Why are there figures such as 226,012 and 625,537??? The reason why there is no rounding off of figures (up or down) is because of the commitment to provide the program 'at cost'. Extensive use of intranets and effective management keeps Yamasa's cost overhead and structure down, and this is passed on to students.
NOTE 2: The above figures quote only the application and tuition cost of the program. As each student chooses a different Student Accommodation mix, it is more effective to visit the Student Accommodation section in the center homepage for housing costs. Health Insurance is also accessed from the center homepage.
NOTE 3: According to surveys of our students, their average cost of living is just 50000 to 55000 yen per month. Students living in Yamasa's Student Accommodation walk or bicycle to the Institute - no public transport costs are incurred. The cost of text books and study materials is not known until after placement testing is completed, but rarely would exceed 15000 yen for 4 quarters.

Information regarding deposits:

NOTE 1: If you NEED a student visa then you only need to pay the application fee of 21000 yen. You do not need to pay a deposit. You do not need to pay any tuition until after your certificate of eligibility (see visa information section below) has been confirmed.
NOTE 2: If you DO NOT need a student visa then you will need to pay for your tuition (1 quarter - 226012 yen) at least 35 days prior to commencement. Many students prefer to secure their position in the program several months in advance via a 25000 yen deposit, and then pay for the rest of the tuition 35 days before the program commences. The deposit is not an application fee and so if you confirm your place via a deposit, then you only need to pay a further 201,012 yen to complete your enrolment.

PROGRAM LOCATION

All AJSP classes are conducted at Yamasa's Okazaki campus. AJSP Classes are usually conducted in the Yamasa II building - just 7 minutes walk from JR Okazaki Station. For more information please read the Campus Guide file in the center homepage.

You will enjoy living in the historic castle town of Okazaki, located in Aichi Prefecture in Central Japan. The castle was the birthplace and initial stronghold of the greatest 'shogun' Tokugawa Ieyasu (born 1542), the founder of modern Japan. With a population of 330,000, it is a prosperous town with modern hi-tech industries that has also maintained its traditions and festivals and has many heritage sites, old temples and shrines including Hozoji - now more than 1200 years old. More information about Okazaki is available from the Location file in the center homepage. In short though, it is safer, cheaper and quieter than crowded cities like Tokyo or Osaka, and more suited for study and a taste of the traditional Japan.

For AJSP students, Okazaki has the advantage of being halfway between Tokyo and Osaka and convenient to both. It is also not too far from Kyoto and Nara to the west, Mt Fuji and Shizuoka to the east. It is easy to travel to each of these locations from here. Prices here are much less than Tokyo, Osaka or that of tourist traps like Kyoto, (rent for example is actually less than half that of Tokyo), the cost of living is therefore lower. According to surveys of our students, their average cost of living is just 50000-55000 yen per month. Public transport is good, bicycles probably the best and easiest mode of transportation.

MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The AJSP is an academic program and students need to have a high level of motivation to learn Japanese as well as the necessary academic aptitude. Although almost all AJSP students will usually be graduates or be currently enrolled university or college students, a tertiary background is not currently set as a minimum entry requirement. If your language skills can be proven to be good enough, then the program will be open for enrolment provided you meet the minimum entry requirements below.

As a minimum:

1) All applicants will need to demonstrate proof of JLPT Level 2 proficiency by forwarding a copy of their JLPT results, presenting a letter of recommendation from a Professor or Japanese Faculty member of a university recognized by Yamasa, or passing an entrance examination either on arrival or after studies in the AIJP.

2) Applicants must have a minimum of 12 years of full-time education in their native country or have a diploma equivalent to a Japanese senior high school diploma.

3) Applicants must have academic abilities equal to or higher than that of the average Japanese high school graduate.

4) As a general rule students need to be 18 years and over. (For the student visa you must be at least 18) There is no upper age limit.

Citizens of certain countries will need to find guarantors. Please check the Visa Requirements section in the center homepage to see if this applies to you.

LEVELS AVAILABLE

Students entering the AJSP classes are graded via a placement test and placement interview at the beginning of the quarter so that faculty have a detailed score profile of their proficiency level. Usually the AJSP would consist of only 1 or 2 classes, so the test isn't so much for placement purposes as for faculty use. If there are 2 classes, the classes will be split accordingly to proficency level and not age, nationality or other criteria. Once you enter the program the materials you will be using are usually advanced texts for students of Japanese combined with materials initially written for native Japanese speakers - for example newspaper and magazine articles. If a student entering the AJSP finds the level too difficult, it is possible to enroll for 1 quarter in the Pre-Advanced level of the AIJP, and apply to re-enter the AJSP 1 or 2 quarters later. In addition to our regular classes, private or semi-private (2-4 students) classes are usually also available on demand. Private or small classes can be scheduled flexibly.

FACILITIES

As noted in the Location section, the classes will be usually be conducted in the Yamasa II building. This modern 5 story building is fully air-conditioned and apart from the lobby on the ground floor, is a smoke-free zone. For more details please see the Campus Guide.

The computer laboratory has full internet access through Yamasa's LAN. All students have free web access and can send and receive personal electronic mail. Students bringing laptops should be able to connect directly to the LAN through jacks provided specifically for student use. For more details regarding internet connectivity please read through the connectivity file in the center homepage.

All AJSP students have the opportunity to learn how to use Japanese language software. You will have the opportunity to use Japanese software and send/receive Japanese language email.

All classrooms and amenities are large and western style. Yamasa allocates more space per student than nearly any accredited institution in the country. The extra space means that instead of sitting in chairs with writing flaps attached to the arm of the chair - every AJSP student has a wide desk perfect for spreading dictionaries and study aids in front of them for easy reference. This extra space is assisted by the policy of having a maximum class size of 15, which is 5 students less than the standard required by the regulating body for Japanese language education in Japan - the APJLE.

The offices of your academic advisors are also located in the same building so that you can easily consult faculty outside class hours.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

At present the following accommodation options are available to AJSP students:

i. Studio Apartments (Yamasa Villa I, III, IV, Residence U, Residence K)

ii. Yamasa Student Village

iii. Homestay Program

For details please visit the Student Accommodation section in the center homepage.

Students can choose various combinations of Student Housing. It is possible to move from one option to another. All prices are in the Student Accommodation section in the center homepage. The accommodation options can be booked online through the Online Catalog.

VISA INFORMATION

Students who intend enrolling for 1 quarter only will not require anything more than a tourist visa. In the case of students from countries where tourist visas can provide a period of stay of up to 6 months, 2 quarters are possible. These students and those students who are prepared to exit Japan after 3 or 6 months and re-enter with a student visa are able to commence the AJSP in any quarter.

With the exception of a few students (Working holiday makers, students with Japanese ancestry, cultural activities visa etc), students enrolling in the AJSP for more than 6 months will need a student visa (shugakusei). At the moment Japan's Immigration bureaucracy requires that you can only start the AJSP on a student visa in April or October. The visa requirements section in the center homepage has further details and appropriate links to the relevant Ministry of Foreign Affairs sites.

Citizens of certain countries will need to find guarantors. See the Visa requirements section of the center homepage.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Once you have read everything on this page, especially the sections below, have checked your status re guarantors, chosen your preferred accommodation options, schedule and so on, you will need to apply as follows.

In the Online Catalog you will find an icon called Program Applications. Please click on that icon and follow the directions given.

For students applying for the student visa, please understand that in Japan the visa process is a little bureaucratic. You will be sent an application kit - usually by courier or registered post. There is a considerable list of required documentation however if you follow the detailed instructions in the application kit you will have no difficulty in securing your visa. So far, all students who have applied using the kit have received their visas successfully. Students are advised to APPLY EARLY.

Once your application has been accepted and confirmed, please use the "Student Accommodation" icon in the Online Catalog to apply for Accommodation including the Homestay Program.

If you are applying for a homestay - please note that the application should be made AT LEAST 2 months in advance. For students requiring a student visa, there is no requirement to submit program fees until the visa is officially confirmed. However students who DO NOT require the visa are advised that the homestay search does not commence until tuition fees have been remitted.

DEADLINES FOR APPLICATION

(1) For students requiring a student visa: (If you DO NOT need a student visa please scroll down)

After you complete the documents included in the application kit, you must deliver it either to The Yamasa Institute or one of our offices abroad by mail, courier or hand delivery. The Student Services and visa specialists will start screening when the application fee (21,000 yen tax included) has been received. Due to the heavy screening and translating costs required in obtaining the visa for you, we regret that the application fee cannot be refunded.

The application MUST be received by June 20 for October commencement, and December 20 for April commencement.

In some circumstances, it MAY be possible to extend the deadline for 1 month. These circumstances are determined not by Yamasa but by the Immigration Bureau:

a) Applicants under the age of 30
who have

b) Completed full time studies during the previous 18 months
and are

c) Citizens or Permanent residents of OECD countries.

If you meet the above criteria however, do not assume that you will definitely receive the 1 month extension. If the December and Junes deadlines are close or just passed, please contact Admissions immediately and mark the subject field "URGENT - AJSP VISA INQUIRY". Our visa specialists will give your mail priority.

SCREENING FOR STUDENTS REQUIRING STUDENT VISAS :

Once your application fee is verified, we can screen your application. The screening is done on the basis of the documents submitted with the application kit. An interview is usually required for applicants who are already in Japan. After screening, we will notify you of the result and then submit your documents to the Immigration Bureau for application for a CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY. After inspection, and if there is no problem, the Immigration Bureau will issue the CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY. YAMASA will inform you of the outcome (approval or refusal). The frustrating part of the application is that the Bureau will not inform Yamasa of the result of the application until late August/early September in the case of October commencement, and until late February/early March in the case of April commencement.

1. You will then be asked to remit a minimum of 1 quarter (3 months) of tuition fees.
2. Yamasa's Admissions Office will then be able to send you the CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY and LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE.
3.You then need to take this letter with your passport to the nearest Japanese diplomatic office to receive your visa stamp.
4. Only then are you able to enter Japan.

The rest of the enrollment procedure is completed upon arriving in Okazaki.

(2) For students who DO NOT require a student visa:

After you complete the Online Application, you will need to submit 4 passport photographs by mail or 1 by email. We request that you complete the application at least 42 days (6 weeks) prior to commencement. If as you read this you realize that the deadline has passed, please contact the Admissions Coordinator Mr. Declan Murphy at Admissions immediately to see if a vacancy remains or if cancellations will give you the opportunity to take up a place.

Once your application and photos have been received and confirmed, Yamasa will require you to confirm your place either by making a deposit of 25000 yen or by transfering the program fee. If you confirm the place via a deposit, please remit the balance at least 35 days (5 weeks) prior to commencement. Only after the tuition has been paid are we able to issue a letter LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE - this is the letter that you show Immigration as you enter the country, or if you need to apply for a tourist visa, then its the letter you show to the embassy or consular officials.

PAYMENT METHOD

Payment of Application Fees OR Deposits (21000 yen for the Application fee, 25000 yen for a deposit) and Tuition fees is usually done by Bank Transfer. If the bank fees for a transfer are excessive, another option is to post or courier an International Money Order or Bank Check. It is possible to pay accommodation fees and subsequent tuition fees by credit card (Master/Visa) after you arrive in Japan, it is only the initial payment that needs to be done by bank transfer. More information and Yamasa's bank account details can be accessed from the "Payment Methods" icon in the Online Program Catalog.

Yamasa will confirm all remittances.

We hope that you can join us and study Japanese in one of Japan's leading programs. If you have any inquiries please contact "AJSP Admissions" at Admissions

Please send any postal mail to:

The Yamasa Institute
1-2-1 Hanehigashi-machi, Okazaki-shi,
Aichi-ken Japan 444-0832

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