Stanford University: Institution Main

Founded in 1885, Stanford University is a private research university located in Palo Alto, California, the heart of Silicon Valley. It was created as a religiously unaffiliated, practice-focused university in memory of Leland and Jane Stanford's only son, Leland, Jr., who died in 1884 of typhoid fever.

The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures dates back to 1938, when Chinese language courses began being taught within the School of Letters. Stanford is also home to the Hoover Institution, which includes multiple Japan-related collections, including their Japanese Diaspora Initiative.

Stanford University is also home to the Hoover Institution, which includes strong Japanese and East Asian collections. For more information, please visit out Hoover Institution guide.

East Asia Library

Cantor Arts Center

Bing Overseas Studies Program

Center for East Asian Studies

Center for the Study of Language and Information

Ho Center for Buddhist Studies

US-Asia Technology Management Center

Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center

Undergraduate Studies

• The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures offers a B.A. with a concentration in Japanese.
• The Center for East Asian Studies offers a B.A. with a concentration on East Asia.
• Those interested in applying to Stanford University should see their Admissions page.

Graduate Studies

• The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures offers a M.A. and Ph.D. with a concentration on Japan.
• The Center for East Asian Studies offers a M.A. with a concentration on Japan.
• Those interested in Japan-related degrees from other departments should consult those departments' individual websites.
• Those interested in applying to Stanford University should see their Admissions page.

Other Academic Information

• Stanford University employs about 75 faculty and academic staff in Japan-related positions.
• Japan-related courses are taught outside the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures in the following fields: anthropology, archaeology, art, art history, education, ethnic studies, finance, global/international relations and studies, history, law, literature, music, political science, religious studies, and theatre and performance.

For all comments and questions about the Guide, please e-mail us:

mlaguide@nccjapan.net