JapanLab is a project designed to re-imagine Japanese Studies for the 21st century. It is based at the University of Texas at Austin but the template is available for use at universities across the world. The program aims to generate a steady stream of Japan-focused educational video games and other Digital Humanities content designed by undergraduate students via semester-long internships. These games which can be seen here are designed to open new pathways to Japanese history and literature. The project has three basic components.

Internships

Teams of students work together in a collaborative space to produce high-quality digital content including educational video games. JapanLab relies on an internship model in which students are rewarded for their work with skill development, course credit and the chance to shape education about Japan.

Digital Skills Courses

The program aims to integrate digital skills development across all aspects of the Japanese Studies curriculum. We ask students to create fully functional video games, design virtual worlds and create innovative online exhibits. We have also created extensive guides to integrating DH content across your syllabus.

Educational resources

There is enormous demand for free digital teaching resources based on recent scholarship. JapanLab has developed a wide array of digital resources that we make available for free for teachers across the world with accompanying study guides. We have games that explore Japanese history from the medieval to the modern period.

JapanLab is generously funded by the Japan Foundation with matching support from the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin.