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Recommendation of the Translation of Titles in the Australian Academic System to Japanese

In Australia, academic titles and their hierarchy within universities differ from those in Japan, leading to a significant disparity between the titles employed in the Australian system and their direct translation into Japanese. This has been causing misunderstanding and negatively affecting Australian academics in Japan.

Of particular note, the titles of "Senior Lecturer" and ‘Associate Professor’ in Australia carry a higher level of status and prestige compared to their equivalent translations in Japan.

Here's an overview of academic titles in Australia and how they differ from Japan.

Academic Titles in Australia:

1. Lecturer: This is typically the entry-level academic position in Australia. Lecturers are responsible for teaching and may engage in research activities as well.

2. Senior Lecturer: A more senior teaching and research position, similar to an Associate Professor (准教授, Jun-Kyōju) in Japan. The position also typically entails managerial responsibilities at the school level.

3. Associate Professor: This title is used for academics with significant teaching, research experience as well as substantial managerial responsibilities at the faculty level. It is somewhat equivalent to a "Full Professor" (教授, Kyōju) in Japan.

4. Professor: In Australia, the title of "Professor" is the highest academic rank and is associated with a distinguished record of teaching, research, and service. It is regarded as a prestigious title and carries high status. Japan uses the title "Professor" (教授, Kyōju) for top-ranking academics, but it may not carry the same level of prestige as in Australia. 

In light of these differences, the Japanese Studies of Australia （JSAA）recommends to standardise the translation of these titles as follows:

1. Lecturer: 上級講師, Jōkyu-Kōshi

2. Senior Lecturer: 准教授, Jun- Kyōju

3. Associate Professor: 教授, Kyōju

4. Professor: 教授, Kyōju 

This standardisation will help bridge the gap in understanding the differences between the Australian and Japanese academic systems and promote a more accurate representation of academic titles in both contexts.

These videos promote Japanese language education at Japanese Studies at university.