For many Japanese people Poland is unknown and exotic country, which is associated with Frederic Chopin, Maria Sklodowska-Curie, Copernicus, Pope John Paul II, Lech Walesa and Andrzej Wajda. In 1991, at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies the first department of Polish studies in Japan was established. Unknown and exotic country – Poland – is an excellent field of research for Japanese scientists. The main purpose of this article is to introduce the Polish Studies in Japan, their history and future perspectives.

The author presents the history of Polish Studies in Japan with the presentation of the research areas. He considers on the future direction after the structural changes, which took place in April 2012 when the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies philological faculty was changed into two faculties. New Tokyo University of Foreign Studies has two faculties: Faculty of Language and Culture Studies and the Faculty of International and Area Studies. As a result of the reform the Polish studies were also divided into two parts. After 20 years after opening of this unique Polish studies in Japan, we must redefine our goals and create new educational system that is compatible with the current educational realities. The author hopes that Polish studies in Japan will continue to develop and there will be more educated professionals (including the researchers) involved in Poland and Polish language.