When thinking about business Japanese, many people may associate it with honorifics and feel intimidated. This lecture reviews the fundamental concepts of honorifics, explains their usage in business contexts, and deepens understanding from a linguistic perspective. Additionally, resources and effective methods for learning honorific expressions will be introduced.
Accepting applicationsHonorifics in Business Japanese
Lecturer
Naoko MAEDA/ Gakushuin University (Professor)
Graduated from the Faculty of Letters (Linguistics), the University of Tokyo.
Completed a master’s program at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and a doctoral program at Osaka University (Modern Japanese Linguistics). Holds a Ph.D. in Literature.
After working at the University of Tokyo’s International Student Center, appointed Associate Professor at Gakushuin University in April 2002, and promoted to Professor in April 2008.
She has authored numerous influential academic papers, books, and Japanese language teaching materials in the fields of Japanese linguistics and language education. She currently serves as a director of the Society for Japanese Linguistics.
Her book "ビジネス日本語教育の展開と課題（ココ出版）" (Development and Issues in Business Japanese Education (Koko Publishing)) presents significant insights into business Japanese education.
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* Preliminary materials, lecture materials, and lecture videos may not be available.
* The viewing deadline for lecture materials and videos is 7 days including the date on which they became available for viewing. (*It will be available within 7 days from the course date.)
* In order to attend the course, you need to answer the pre-questionnaire. To view the materials on the day, you need to complete both the pre-questionnaire and the post-attendance questionnaire. The deadline for answering the post-attendance questionnaire is 7 days, including the day of the lecture.
Course outline
Lecture nameHonorifics in Business Japanese
Date and timeAugust 19, 2025 (Tuesday) , 01:00 PM (JST) 〜 August 19, 2025 (Tuesday) , 02:30 PM (JST)
Lecturer
Naoko MAEDA
Gakushuin University (Professor)
Gakushuin University (Professor)
TargetInternational students or employees with Japanese proficiency equivalent to JLPT N2 or above.
* Non-Toyo University students can also take this course.
* Participation from abroad is highly welcomed.
* Non-Toyo University students can also take this course.
* Participation from abroad is highly welcomed.
Capacity1,000 participants per lecture (first-come-first-served basis)
Streaming service
Zoom
FeeFree
Application periodJuly 28, 2025 (Monday) , 12:00 AM (JST) ~ August 18, 2025 (Monday) , 11:59 PM (JST)
Precautions
- Courses will be conducted entirely in Japanese.
- You can freely choose to participate in only one course or multiple courses.
- Those who responded to the questionnaire after the course will be able to view the materials and videos used in the course only if the instructor has given permission to distribute them. (This time all courses will provide the materials and videos.)