Study Programme of Japanese Language & Cultural Studies, Faculty of Cultural Studies (FCS) Brawijaya University, started as Diploma Program I of Japanese Language in 2001. Due to the strong interest from high school graduates and the big chance to enter the working world, especially in Japanese company, Diploma Program III of Japanese Language was opened in 2002 (SK Dikti No. 4219/D/T/2004).

In one and a half year, a student from Diploma III Japanese Language, Prihandayani Ratnasari, won the first prize in the National Model Student of Japanese Language Competition in 2004. In 2005, the students from Diploma III won as the runner-up in East Java’s Japanese Speech Contest. In the same year, the students successfully achieved the second place winner in the National Level. In 2006, students from Diploma III, Robbi Widodo and Hermina Regina were accepted in the selection by Monbusho Scholarship to study in Japan for a year.

Study Programme of S1 Japanese Literature (SK Dikti No. 1504/D/T/2007) was established in 2007 when it was still under the Language and Literature Program. Ever since Diploma III was established, the student achievements were always on the rise. Almost every year, students of Japanese Literature consistently selected for the Monbusho Scholarship. A wonderful achievement came in 2012 when seven students were accepted by the Monbusho Scholarship out of all fifteen students majoring in Japanese Language in Indonesia. In 2013, there were four students selected by the Monbusho Scholarship who would depart in October of that year. In addition to the Monbusho Scholarship, the students were also declared as the General Winner of the National Kanji Cup Competition, the fourth year in consecutive since 2010.

The student achievements in 2014 were Second Winner of the National Kanji Cup Competition, First Winner of Japanese Speech Contest in East Java area, Third Winner of the National Japanese Speech Contest, and got six students approved by the Monbukagakusho scholarship (Department of Education, Culture, Sport, Knowledge and Japanese Technology).

The accreditation of Study Programme of Japanese Language & Cultural Studies (SPJLCS) is “A” with certificate from National Board of Accreditation for Higher Education, No. 2891/SK/BAN-PT/Akred/S/VIII/2017. In 2019, SPJL has attemped to get International certification from ASEAN University Network of Quality Assurance (AUNQA).