1.
associate professor (former academic title)
The former Japanese academic title roughly equivalent to associate professor. Officially replaced by 准教授 in 2007, but still widely understood and occasionally used.
父はかつて大学の助教授だった。
My father was once an associate professor at a university.
助教授という肩書きは現在は使われていない。
The title of associate professor (jokyōju) is no longer used today.
2007年に助教授は准教授に改められた。
In 2007, the title jokyōju was changed to junkyōju (associate professor).
Composed of 助 (assistant, helper) + 教授 (professor). This was the standard title for the rank below full professor in Japanese universities until 2007, when the School Education Act was revised and the title was changed to 准教授.
The change was made partly because 助 ("assistant") was seen as implying a subordinate role, whereas 准 ("associate") better reflected the independent standing of the position.
RELATED TERMS:
- 准教授: associate professor (current official title)
- 教授: professor
- 助教: assistant professor (current title, created in the 2007 reform)
- 講師: lecturer
NOTE:
Still frequently encountered in older texts, historical accounts, and popular media. Many people continue to use 助教授 informally even after the official change.