Faculty Service Award (2025)
Department of World Languages and Cultures, Utah State University, USA
Faculty Creative Activity and Research Enhancement (C.A.R.E) Award (2025)
College of Arts & Sciences, Utah State University, USA
Excellence in Teaching Award (2023)
School of Languages and Cultures, Purdue University, USA
Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award (2022)
School of Languages and Cultures, Purdue University, USA
Excellence in Teaching Award (2021)
School of Languages and Cultures, Purdue University, USA
学生最喜爱的老师 [Student Favorite Teacher Award] (2016)
Yangtze University, China
"Minobe sensei is an awesome teacher. He does a great job of breaking down complex grammar into small, understandable pieces that make learning a difficult language manageable. When teaching, he provides an insight that helps students develop cultural understanding. His classes are engaging and fun, and he creates a comfortable environment where students feel encouraged to participate. His projects are especially fun, like dubbing an anime in Japanese or cooking with the class. On top of that, his passion for teaching is clear in every class session, which has really motivated me to keep improving and stay interested in learning Japanese. "
- Student from JAPN 1010 (Fall 2025) & JAPN 1020 (Spring 2026)
"Minobe 先生 is an amazing teacher, and has done a lot to help me learn Japanese these last two semesters. He presents the material in an understandable and fun way, and somehow has a perfect balance of just enough homework. Not too much that it's overwhelming, but enough that we get plenty of practice. I also appreciate that he never makes us feel stupid or ignorant for forgetting something. He guides us onto the right track in a way that makes us feel like we got there ourselves. Overall, he is a very talented teacher, and I would recommend his classes to anyone interested in Japanese."
- Student from JAPN 1010 (Fall 2024) & JAPN 1020 (Spring 2025)
"Minobe Sensei is an amazing teacher. He is strict but in a good way that motivates me to do better. He teaches in a way that I can understand and lets his students ask questions. He teaches effectively and puts effort into putting notes on assignments that we turn in to let us know how we can do better. Before school started, I did not know any Japanese. I am now in my second semester and I know the 2 Japanese alphabet hiragana and katakana. And I know over 50 Kanji not to mention all the grammar and conjugation I have learned. He teaches quickly and effectively."
- Student from JAPN 1010 (Fall 2024) & JAPN 1020 (Spring 2025)
"Minobe Sensei has been a wonderful Japanese teacher. He utilizes patience and is in depth knowledge to assist students in understanding new concepts of grammar and writing. I specifically enjoy that he shares the origins of written kanji to help students understand why and how the kanji developed into the way that they are written today. Not only is this interesting, but it has also helped me to retain information and broaden my understanding of the Japanese language."
- Student from JAPN 1010 (Fall 2024) & JAPN 1020 (Spring 2025)
"Dr. Minobe is an outstanding and dedicated Japanese professor. He makes the classroom welcoming and engaging and is passionate about teaching. His method of teaching includes student collaboration which makes learning and practicing Japanese effective and successful. His technique of learning Kanji through mnemonics is greatly beneficial and simple to learn. Dr. Minobe is kind and caring to all of his students and he goes above and beyond in his teaching. I truly appreciate him as my Japanese professor."
- Student from JAPN 1010 (Fall 2024) & JAPN 1020 (Spring 2025)
"Minobe-sensei has been an incredibly competent and engaging instructor. He takes the time to make each class session fun and high-energy, with different activities. I know he cares about all of his students and he puts in so much work to get everyone to the level they need to be at. I've personally had a lot of helpful and meaningful conversations with him that both improved my Japanese and created a great friendship."
- Student from JAPN 3000 (Fall 2024) & LANG 3990 (Spring 2025)
"Dr. Minobe is an outstanding and dedicated Japanese professor. He makes the classroom welcoming and engaging and is passionate about teaching. His method of teaching includes student collaboration which makes learning and practicing Japanese effective and successful. His technique of learning Kanji through mnemonics is greatly beneficial and simple to learn. Dr. Minobe is kind and caring to all of his students and he goes above and beyond in his teaching. I truly appreciate him as my Japanese professor."
- Student from JAPN 1010 (Fall 2024) & JAPN 1020 (Spring 2025)