Can the "&"-symbol (ampersand) be used in Japanese to connect two language names?

Question

For example, is this correct and commonly understood by Japanese-readers:

"日本語 & 英語"

which should represent "Japanese & English" and denote a bilingual edition of a certain text document?

I understand that the most correct way to connect the two language names is:

日本語と英語

where "と" does not precisely mean "and", but rather "with", as stated in this post.

Brief background:

I'm designing the layout for bilingual info-brochures for a university-project and Japanese is among the given languages. On the cover page I want to place the contained languages, as a subtitle of sorts, for example:

ランダムなタイトル

日本語 & 英語

As the ampersand makes a good design-element in the latin languages, it would be favourable beeing able to use it for the Japanese versions as well.

So the question is really how well or bad it the ampersand perceived and if it's acceptable to be written / printed in a semi-formal context (i.e. university-conference). Or does it look too non-native / unprofessional?

Answer 1

The letter "&" is indeed used in the sense of "and" (to join) the two words as you say.

It is not that this symbol is particularly impolite or non-native.

However, if you use it at the "university" you are talking about, it might be considered a bit "impolite" by the professor or teacher.

Rather than being impolite, this symbol is rather informal and is used for messages between friends, not for school documents.