8B531101 Introduction to the Geography of Japan

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2026Year School/Graduate School Morito Institute of Global Higher Education

Lecture Code 8B531101 Subject Classification Specialized Education

Subject Name 日本地理入門

Subject Name
（Katakana）

Subject Name in
English Introduction to the Geography of Japan

Instructor YAMANAKA YASUKO

Instructor
(Katakana) ヤマナカ　ヤスコ

Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 1st-Year, Second Semester, Intensive

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (Int) Inte：ECON A208

Lesson Style Seminar Lesson Style
(More Details) Face-to-face

Credits 1.0 Class Hours/Week 　 Language of Instruction J : Japanese

Course Level 1 : Undergraduate Introductory

Course Area（Area） 23 : Arts and Humanities

Course Area（Discipline） 12 : Geography

Eligible Students This course is intended primarily for special auditing students participating in the Hiroshima University Morito Institute of Global Higher Education Study Abroad Program for Students of the Mongolian

Keywords Regions, Local Areas, Industries

Special Subject for Teacher Education 　 Special Subject 　

Class Status
within Educational
Program
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced
Evaluation
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)

Class Objectives
/Class Outline This course, offered as part of Japanese Studies education, aims to deepen students’ understanding of Japan by providing fundamental knowledge of Japanese geography and regional characteristics. Through this process, students will enhance their Japanese language proficiency and develop the knowledge necessary for successful adaptation to contemporary Japanese society. Class sessions will be conducted primarily through discussions and peer exchanges of ideas related to each lesson theme.

Class Schedule lesson1 Japan's Territory and Territorial Waters
lesson2 Regions of Japan I: Hokkaido
lesson3 Regions of Japan II: Tohoku
lesson4 Regions of Japan III: Kanto I
lesson5 Regions of Japan IV: Kanto II
lesson6 Regions of Japan V: Hokuriku and Shinetsu
lesson7 Regions of Japan VI: Tokai
lesson8 Regions of Japan VII: Kinki
lesson9 Regions of Japan VIII: Chugoku
lesson10 Regions of Japan IX: Shikoku
lesson11 Regions of Japan X: Kyushu and Okinawa
lesson12 Japanese Industries: Agriculture
lesson13 Japanese Industries: Fisheries
lesson14 Japanese Industries: Manufacturing
lesson15 Climate of Japan

Final exam & quizzes will be given.

Text/Reference
Books,etc. No textbook required.

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. Handouts, moodle

(More Details)

Learning techniques to be incorporated Discussions, Quizzes/ Quiz format

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review While advance preparation is not mandatory, students are encouraged to stay informed about current events and actively seek information about different regions of Japan. Reviewing class materials after each lesson will also help deepen their understanding of the topics discussed.

Requirements This course is open to international students. Priority in enrollment will be given to students participating in the Hiroshima University Morito Institute of Global Higher Education Study Abroad Program for Students of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology.

Grading Method Grades will be based on the following criteria: Final Examination (50%), Reflection Quizzes (20%), and Presentations (30%).

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message Take a look at the various statistical data available in Japan Statistical Yearbook published by the Statistics Bureau of Japan (https://www.stat.go.jp/data/nihon/index1.html). Exploring these data will help you gain a deeper understanding of Japan’s regions, industries, and society.

Other

Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Academic Year	2026Year	School/Graduate School	Morito Institute of Global Higher Education
Lecture Code	8B531101	Subject Classification	Specialized Education
Subject Name	日本地理入門
Subject Name （Katakana）
Subject Name in English	Introduction to the Geography of Japan
Instructor	YAMANAKA YASUKO
Instructor (Katakana)	ヤマナカ　ヤスコ
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	1st-Year, Second Semester, Intensive
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(Int) Inte：ECON A208
Lesson Style	Seminar	Lesson Style (More Details)	Face-to-face

Credits	1.0	Class Hours/Week		Language of Instruction	J : Japanese
Course Level	1 : Undergraduate Introductory
Course Area（Area）	23 : Arts and Humanities
Course Area（Discipline）	12 : Geography
Eligible Students	This course is intended primarily for special auditing students participating in the Hiroshima University Morito Institute of Global Higher Education Study Abroad Program for Students of the Mongolian
Keywords	Regions, Local Areas, Industries
Special Subject for Teacher Education		Special Subject
Class Status within Educational Program (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced Evaluation (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Class Objectives /Class Outline	This course, offered as part of Japanese Studies education, aims to deepen students’ understanding of Japan by providing fundamental knowledge of Japanese geography and regional characteristics. Through this process, students will enhance their Japanese language proficiency and develop the knowledge necessary for successful adaptation to contemporary Japanese society. Class sessions will be conducted primarily through discussions and peer exchanges of ideas related to each lesson theme.
Class Schedule	lesson1 Japan's Territory and Territorial Waters lesson2 Regions of Japan I: Hokkaido lesson3 Regions of Japan II: Tohoku lesson4 Regions of Japan III: Kanto I lesson5 Regions of Japan IV: Kanto II lesson6 Regions of Japan V: Hokuriku and Shinetsu lesson7 Regions of Japan VI: Tokai lesson8 Regions of Japan VII: Kinki lesson9 Regions of Japan VIII: Chugoku lesson10 Regions of Japan IX: Shikoku lesson11 Regions of Japan X: Kyushu and Okinawa lesson12 Japanese Industries: Agriculture lesson13 Japanese Industries: Fisheries lesson14 Japanese Industries: Manufacturing lesson15 Climate of Japan Final exam & quizzes will be given.
Text/Reference Books,etc.	No textbook required.
PC or AV used in Class,etc.	Handouts, moodle
(More Details)
Learning techniques to be incorporated	Discussions, Quizzes/ Quiz format
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	While advance preparation is not mandatory, students are encouraged to stay informed about current events and actively seek information about different regions of Japan. Reviewing class materials after each lesson will also help deepen their understanding of the topics discussed.
Requirements	This course is open to international students. Priority in enrollment will be given to students participating in the Hiroshima University Morito Institute of Global Higher Education Study Abroad Program for Students of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology.
Grading Method	Grades will be based on the following criteria: Final Examination (50%), Reflection Quizzes (20%), and Presentations (30%).
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message	Take a look at the various statistical data available in Japan Statistical Yearbook published by the Statistics Bureau of Japan (https://www.stat.go.jp/data/nihon/index1.html). Exploring these data will help you gain a deeper understanding of Japan’s regions, industries, and society.
Other
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes. Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Back to syllabus main page