From Anime to Careers: Japanese Language Enrollment Grows at OCC

Japanese language and culture continue to gain momentum at Oakland Community College, where advanced language course enrollment now outpaces other foreign language programs at the college.  
 
Interest in anime, manga, gaming and travel is fueling growth, shifting demand from business-focused learners to students inspired by pop culture. Japanese now ranks third in overall enrollment, behind Spanish and French. 

Adjunct Faculty Michael Rubida has seen the change firsthand since joining the College in 2004.   

"When I started teaching at OCC, business professionals were coming to learn Japanese because they needed to speak it at the office,” he said. "Students’ interests have changed. Japanese animation, comics, video games and Netflix are very popular. They get hooked and think it would be fun to read and speak the language without subtitles.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engagement drives momentum 
 
OCC offers six world languages: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish.  

Student Meghann Locker, who recently completed the Japanese curriculum, initially planned to take one semester of Japanese but continued through the highest level. She enjoys Japanese programs on television and reads Japanese comics and books. She hopes to someday teach English in Japan. 
 
“What keeps people going through to the highest level of Japanese here is the engaging professors,” said Locker, a 42-year-old Clawson resident. “Both of my (instructors) have fantastic teaching styles. They are really engaging (and) really helpful, and it’s made me learn the language faster than I could have on my own.” 
 
Dual Enrollment student Nya Baptiste agrees. 
 
“Lessons aren’t boring, and I feel like I’m engaged in what we are doing,” said Baptiste, 17, of Novi, noting the classes help “even those who knew no Japanese” quickly build strong skills.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Japanese enrollment highlights 
 
OCC data in foreign languages for Academic Years 2020-21 through 2025-26 (excluding summer 2026) shows: 

• Japanese leads advanced-level foreign language enrollment (142 students), followed by Italian (94) and Spanish (58)
• Japanese enrollment peaked at 293 students in 2024-25
• Highest enrollment is among students ages 18-24
• While more females take foreign language classes at OCC overall, Japanese enrollment skews slightly higher for males 

In Michigan, OCC’s enrollment in 2024 surpassed three community colleges—Mott, Lansing and Washtenaw—who participated in a survey by the Consulate General of Japan. 
 
Why Japanese? 
 
Students are applying Japanese skills in practical settings. John Bennett, a student and lead mechanic at Round One amusement center at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills, uses his new language skills to interpret equipment manuals.  
 
When a pinball or claw machine breaks down, he’s usually the go-to person to fix it.  

“Sometimes there isn’t a single word of English (in the manuals),” said the 39-year-old Rochester resident. “We got a new manual (and) I could tell the company just AI translated it and didn’t proofread it because two-thirds of the way through, it switches back to Japanese. I was the only person in the building who could figure out what it said.” 
 
Real-world relevance 
 
Four adjunct faculty teach Japanese classes at OCC. They emphasize cultural fluency alongside language skills.  
 
Instructor Michele Plattenberger, who also teaches Japanese at Oakland University, lived in Japan for six years while working with Ford Motor Company. She now works for an automotive supplier that supports Japanese customers. 
 
“Learning Japanese isn’t just about the language,” she explained. “Students need to understand the Japanese are not as forward and assertive (as Western society) in how they manage business and that understanding can make or break a business relationship.”  
 
From passion to profession 
 
For Rubida, teaching Japanese is both a career and a calling. He teaches middle school through advanced college courses.  
 
“Japanese culture, language and everything related to Japan has been a lifelong fascination,” he said. “I feel like I’m getting paid to talk about what I love. I’m grateful I made a living sharing it all these years.” 
 
For more information visit: https://catalog.oaklandcc.edu/course-descriptions/jpn/ 

About OCC       
Oakland Community College (OCC) has educated over one million students since 1965. OCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs and is committed to student success with affordable tuition, support services, flexible class options and top transfer opportunities. The College serves more than 20,000 students annually while advancing our community through education, training and career support. OCC is nationally recognized as Michigan’s top online college, and seventh in the U.S., by Newsweek’s  America’s Top Online Colleges 2025. Learn more at   oaklandcc.edu.        
 

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