The Zemi in Japanese higher education: continuity and contemporary significance

This article explores the positioning of the Zemi (seminar class) in undergraduate education in Japan. First introduced in the late 1800s, Zemi is a type of small-group research class characterized by student initiative and intensive project-based learning. Despite the globalization of higher education, the Zemi format has persisted as a distinctive element in the university curriculum, particularly in the humanities and social sciences. Through a combination of survey data and interviews with professors, the article reveals Zemi’s multifaceted role in fostering academic and social integration, enhancing employability, and supporting students’ transition to the workforce. The article critically situates Zemi within both local educational traditions and internationally accepted pedagogical frameworks, evaluating its contemporary significance in increasingly globalized and standardized academic contexts.