Department of Law

Nurturing “true legal professionals” who are conversant with the law and able to contribute to society

To study the law is to become an active supporter of civil society by holding to a sense of morality and social responsibility based on legal knowledge and legal thought. Such an individual becomes a “true legal professional” as a citizen who can contribute to society by knowing the law and putting that knowledge to good use regardless of their occupation or position. Considering this to be the significance of the study of the law, in the Department of Law we refine the student’s ability to discern right from wrong, and we nurture students who can make a practical contribution to society as they use their specialized legal knowledge and stay actively involved in society.

Curriculum overview

The curriculum comprises various areas of study: the “positive law area” covering the study of laws currently in force in Japan; the “basic law area” covering the study of laws of foreign countries and the history, ideology, and philosophical aspects of the law; the “related-subjects area*” covering subjects related to the aforementioned areas; and the “cutting-edge area” covering current problems in society. The “positive law area” is further subdivided into public law, civil law, and criminal law. In the Department of Law, there are over 130 courses available in the legal field.

In the introductory and foundational stage of the first two years, students develop an overall understanding of the law through small-class introductory courses and basic seminars in civil, criminal, and basic law. Then they move on to full-fledged study of the basic laws of the three subdivisions of positive law: the Constitution, the Civil Code, and the Criminal Code. In the fundamental and developmental stage of the third and fourth years, based on their own autonomous judgment, students can further strengthen their knowledge and learning with fundamental law courses matched to their future career plans. At the same time, they can also study cutting-edge legal fields related to international corporate activities, consumer and environmental problems, adult guardianship, etc.

In addition to the courses provided by the department, there is an extensive support system for qualification acquisition, civil service examinations, and job search. Learning support is available under a special TA system in which graduate school students with a master’s degree in law provide comprehensive support for the student’s studies. The Council of Preparation for National Examinations holds support courses for national examinations and national-qualification acquisition.

*Related-subjects area: a wide variety of courses are held covering current-events English and business English, political history and financial theory, and sociology and other academic disciplines.