Joining Sports Clubs As A Grad Student In Japan

Extracurricular activities are an important part of student life in Japan, with approximately half of university students taking part in sports or artistic and cultural circles. These activities are known as 'bukatsu' and are available to students at all levels of education, from elementary school to university. At university, there are two types of extracurricular groups: 'clubs' and 'circles'. Clubs are official, university-authorized groups that are financially backed by the university and tend to involve sports activities. Circles, on the other hand, are unofficial groups run by students and cover a wider range of activities. While clubs have a strict age-based hierarchy, circles are more relaxed and focus on cultivating friendship and having fun. Both types of groups are open to students, including graduate students, and offer a great opportunity to enrich their overall university experience, socialize, and make new friends.

Grad students at Japanese universities can join sports clubs, but they may face language barriers

Sports clubs are a significant part of student life in Japan, with around half of university students taking part in sports or cultural activities. These extracurricular activities are known as "bukatsu", and they are not limited to high schools and universities but are also common in middle schools and sometimes even elementary schools.

Grad students at Japanese universities can join sports clubs, and there are two types of groups: "clubs" and "circles". Clubs are official, university-authorized groups that are financially backed by the university and tend to be more demanding and competitive. They also have an "age-based hierarchy" where junior students (kōhai) must show respect for senior students (senpai). Circles, on the other hand, are unofficial groups run by students and tend to be more relaxed and focused on having fun. Both clubs and circles usually meet one to three times a week for practice, and some even have training camps during school vacations.

While grad students can join sports clubs, they may face language barriers if they don't speak Japanese. Some clubs may discriminate against international students, assuming they cannot speak the language or are not dedicated enough. Additionally, official university sports teams may require members to be full-time students attending the university for four years.

Overall, joining a sports club as a grad student in a Japanese university is possible, but it may be challenging due to language and cultural barriers. It is important to consider the level of commitment, eligibility requirements, and Japanese proficiency needed for the specific club or circle.

There are official and unofficial sports clubs at Japanese universities

Extracurricular activities are an important part of student life in Japan, with approximately half of university students taking part in sports or artistic and cultural groups. These groups are known as "clubs" and "circles".

Official, university-authorized groups are called "clubs", and they are financially backed by the universities. Clubs tend to involve sports activities, with frequent and demanding training sessions in preparation for competitions and games. There is an "age-based hierarchy" custom (jōge kankei in Japanese) within these clubs, where junior students (kōhai) must show respect for senior students (senpai). Juniors may have to use honorific language when addressing their senpai and consider seating arrangements at meetings and parties, so that the senior students can sit in the seats of honour.

"Circles" are unofficial groups that are run by students. Circles usually do not receive aid from universities and cover a wider variety of activities than clubs. Some circles take their activities very seriously, while others focus more on having fun and cultivating friendships. Age-based hierarchies are usually less strict within circles. It is common for two or more circles within a university to share the same type of activity, in which case, students can choose the circle that best suits them based on factors such as training frequency and toughness.

For example, a tennis club may involve rigorous training for competitions, while a tennis circle may focus more on stress relief, socialising, and gathering for parties.

Both clubs and circles usually meet for training one to three times a week, although some groups may practice every day or only during certain seasons. In addition to regular practices, clubs and circles also hold gasshuku (training camps) several times a year, where members stay in dormitories near the training facilities to practice intensively for a few days.

Sports groups include baseball, soccer, American football, rugby, volleyball, track and field, swimming, dance, and traditional Japanese sports such as judo, kyūdō (archery), and aikido. Cultural groups include music clubs (orchestras, choruses, and bands), photography and film clubs, volunteer groups, and English-speaking societies.

Official sports clubs are called clubs and are financially backed by universities

In Japan, extracurricular activities are an important part of student life, with around half of university students taking part in sports or artistic and cultural circles. These extracurricular groups can be divided into two forms: official, university-authorized groups called "clubs", and unofficial groups run by students, called "circles".

Official sports clubs, or "clubs", are financially backed by universities and often involve sports activities, with frequent and demanding training sessions. Club members mostly train for competitions and games. There is an "age-based hierarchy" custom (jōge kankei in Japanese) within these clubs, where junior students (kōhai) must show respect for senior students (senpai). For example, juniors may need to use honorific language when addressing their senpai and may have to consider seating arrangements at meetings and parties, ensuring that senior students sit in the seats of honour. This custom is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and can also be observed in companies.

The University of Tokyo, for example, has a range of student clubs and circles that encompass sports, cultural activities, and more. The location, eligibility, Japanese proficiency requirement, participation fee, and level of commitment vary depending on the activities and groups.

While official sports clubs are financially backed by universities, unofficial groups or "circles" do not receive aid from universities. These circles cover a wider variety of activities and can be intra-collegiate or inter-collegiate. Intra-collegiate circles involve students from the same university, while inter-collegiate circles (called "Inkare" in Japanese) include members from various universities. Circles tend to be less strict regarding age-based hierarchical relationships, and the focus may be more on having fun and cultivating friendships rather than intensive training.

For international graduate students at the University of Tokyo who are based on the Hongo Campus, a list of registered circles can be found on the university's website.

Unofficial sports clubs are called circles and are run by students

In Japan, extracurricular activities are an important part of student life, with around half of university students taking part in sports or artistic and cultural circles. These circles are unofficial groups that are run by students and are separate from the official, university-authorised groups known as 'clubs'. Circles cover a wider range of activities than clubs, and while some take their activities seriously, others focus more on having fun.

Circles are a great way for students to cultivate friendships and relieve stress through shared interests. For example, a tennis circle might be more focused on socialising and enjoyment, whereas a university-authorised tennis club would involve rigorous training for competitions.

The University of Tokyo, for instance, has circles that are open to both undergraduates and graduates. Circles are also not limited to a single university, as there are intercollegiate circles that include members from multiple universities.

Circles are a fantastic way to enrich your experience, socialise with people who share similar interests, and make new friends. They can also be a great way to experience Japanese culture, as they often involve traditional practices such as the "age-based hierarchy" custom, where junior students (kōhai) must show respect for senior students (senpai).

Circles tend to be more relaxed and focus on cultivating friendship

In the Japanese education system, extracurricular activities are an important part of student life. These activities are known as "bukatsu", and they take place after school, on weekends, and even during vacations. While "bukatsu" is mostly associated with high school and university students, middle schools and sometimes even elementary schools also offer these activities.

When it comes to universities, extracurricular groups can be divided into two main forms: "clubs" and "circles". "Clubs" are official, university-authorized groups that often focus on sports activities with frequent and demanding training sessions. They are financially backed by the universities and have a strict "age-based hierarchy" (jōge kankei) where junior students (kōhai) must show respect to their senior students (senpai).

On the other hand, "circles" are more relaxed, unofficial groups run by students. They cover a wider range of activities and are usually not funded by the university. While some circles take their activities seriously, others focus more on cultivating friendship, having fun, and relieving stress. For example, a tennis circle may be more about playing tennis for fun and socializing, rather than intensive training for competitions.

The University of Tokyo, for instance, offers a range of circles for its students, with activities taking place on both the Komaba and Hongo campuses. Circles are also inter-collegiate, bringing together members from different universities.

In conclusion, circles in Japanese universities tend to be more relaxed and socially oriented than clubs. They provide an opportunity for students to cultivate friendship, share common interests, and relieve the stress of academic life.

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