Facilities
The Culture Room (Washitsu)
The department has a Japanese-style room (washitsu) with an area of twelve tatami mats. This room is used for cultural activities to introduce students to the Japanese way of life.
Library Resources and Audio-Visual Materials
The Japanese Resources Collection, a separate section of the university library, has over 26,000 books in Japanese. It subscribes to 175 periodicals and to several major Japanese newspapers. In addition, a significant collection of works concerning Japan written in English and other languages is housed in the Central Library and in other libraries on campus. The department's Staff Library also has a wide range of books and periodicals in Japanese and English, as well as a good collection of Japanese-language audio and videotapes. The department also has access to the university's up-to-date audio-visual facilities and language laboratories.
Computers
The department has a number of computers and a growing collection of Japanese language software. The offices of all full-time staff are equipped with computers linked to the university's mainframe computer and library catalogue system. Each user also has access to the Internet and is fully equipped to send and receive electronic mail worldwide. With the receipt of a grant from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the department has a number of computers for students to practise on Computer Aided Instruction (CAI) programmes as a supplementary approach to learning Japanese.