This course is a continuation of Japanese IV (JPSE2006). It helps students to develop their interpersonal and intercultural communication skills and to understand current issues in Japan. Through intensive training, such as role-play, group work, oral presentation and reading of texts, students will learn sentence structures, expressions, communication skills and interaction strategies at the upper intermediate level of Japanese language proficiency. Students are encouraged to express their viewpoints on topical issues, giving reasons and explanations for opinions. Japanese culture and life style will be explored with the aid of videos, TV programs, readings and music.