As part of the Well-Being with Arts research project at Kyushu University, Japan, and part of the classes of the Languages and Literatures Department at the Faculty of Humanities, I had the pleasure of teaching a course titled « Santé, Bien-être et Bonheur dans la société française / Health, Well-Being, and Happiness in French Society » to third- and fourth-year undergraduate students. This first semester course has just ended this week. Yes, your reading is correct: the university year is not constructed the same way in Japan. The first semester starts around the 1st of April.

This course was designed not only to enhance students’ French language skills and cultural knowledge but also to deepen their understanding of how happiness and well-being is perceived and pursued in France – offering a comparative framework for reflection on Japanese society as well.

Exploring French Society through Health and Culture

The course examined a wide range of topics central to public health and societal well-being in France. Students explored: addiction prevention and anti-smoking campaings, the role of the French national health insurance system, food regulation and obesity prevention through journalistic approaches, sport practices in relation to health and community, the history of vaccination with a focus on Louis Pasteur, the perception of worldwide health crisis especially through the lens of press drawings, fertility and family support, cultural perception of happiness through literature. The aim of this multimodal approach was to allow students to engage with the topics in a dynamic and meaningful way.

A Comparative Perspective: Students’ Reflections on Japan

One of the evaluations of the course was the final oral presentation, in which students were asked to reflect on well-being in Japan, presenting their findings in French. This assignment encouraged them to draw comparisons between France and Japanese approaches to health, happiness, and societal care.

Three students generously agreed to share their presentation slides (this only gives a sum-up of their very rich oral presentation), which are featured in this article:

• Risa MORIKAWA explored the cultural and therapeutic significance of onsen (Japanese hot springs) and tôji (thermal cures) in promoting physical and mental well-being. Her presentation traced the historical evolution of onsen usage – from imperial and noble healing practices to modern tourism and stress relief. She highlights the mental benefits (stress reduction, mental resilience) and physical benefits (immune support, healing capacity, lifestyle health) of onsen bathing. Risa emphasized how the natural environment, thermal water, and relaxation rituals contribute to holistic wellness, especially in contrast to the stress and digital saturation of modern life. Her personal reflection underscored the onsen‘s enduring role in supporting both body and mind in contemporary Japan.

• Hanano MURAKAMI presented Zen Buddhism as a path to mental and physical well-being in Japan. She explained the origins of Zen, its core practices like zazen (seated meditation), and its philosophical foundations such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Her presentation highlighted how Zen practice helps for stress reduction, self-awareness, and physical health through posture and improved sleep. She also explored the historical development of Zen in Japan (from Indian Buddhism to Chinese Chan and Korean Buddhism, leading to the Japanese Zen), and its influence on Japanese culture, showing how meditation remains a vital tool for inner balance today.

• Shiori YOSHIKAWA presented washoku, traditional Japanese cuisine, as a holistic approach to well-being. She explained its core principles: nutritional balance (e.g., ichiju sansai), seasonal harmony, and the use of healthy ingredients and cooking methods. Washoku emphasizes umami (the fifth taste), fermentation for gut health, and aesthetic presentation. Shiori also highlighted the cultural values of gratitude and mindfulness expressed through phrases like itadakimasu. Her presentation showed how washoku nurtures both body and spirit, making it much more than just food : it is a way of life.

I would like to warmly thank Risa Morikawa, Hanano Murakami and Shiori Yoshikawa. Their work offers thoughful insights into Japanese perspectives on well-being, providing a valuable counterpoint to the French society’s practices studied in class.

Bridging Teaching and Research

This course illustrates the mission of the Well-Being with Arts project: to foster interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue around the necessity of physical and mental well-being. By integrating language and culture learning with cultural analysis and public health themes, students not only improved their linguistic proficiency but also developed a more nuanced understanding of how different societies strive for collective happiness and health.

As we continue to study the intersection of art, culture, and well-being, I look forward to further bridging teaching and research, empowering students to become active participants in these vital conversations.

Author: Associate Professor Dr. Charlène Clonts