Comparative Studies of the Normative Basis of Civil Society II

The following schedule is subject to change. Week 1: Course management and introduction (1) How does law connect with the environment? How does science connect with the law? How does environmental protection accommodate the economy? How does the environment connect with civil society and the government? Week 2: Introduction (2) Overview of Japan’s environmental law Overview of Japan’s history and legal system Source of Japanese law Week 3: Japan’s experiences (1): Minamata---Mercury poisoning Science and the law: Causation in torts and injunction Development of Japanese environmental law: from damages to regulation Week 4: Japan’s experiences (2): Fukushima Dealing with nuclear power plants and energy policy: Interdisciplinary issues and a nexus approach Is nuclear energy a good source? Answer yes or no with reasons. What kind of impacts on global society in the case of nuclear power plant accidents? What kind of regulatory schemes exists in both domestic and international jurisdictions? How do our everyday lives, industry, energy, and climate change connect with each other? Week 5: Principles of environmental law (1) PPP/EPR principles and cost-sharing Week 6: Principles of environmental law (2) The precautionary principle and evidence-based regulation Week 7 (TBA): Guest Speaker The Roles of an environmental NGO Week 8: Principles of environmental law (3) Sustainable development, SDGs, and environmental justice Week 9: Principles of environmental law (4) Rio 10 principle: Transparency, public participation, and access to information and remedies Connection of legislation and judicial review Week 10: Environmental impact assessment Week 11: Climate change, Paris Agreement and climate change litigation Week 12: In-class presentations (1) Week 13: In-class presentations (2), Wrap-up

Students are expected to participate in class discussions and presentations, with reading assigned materials before the class.

Grading will be based on class participation, including an in-class presentation (50%) and one single-spaced 10-page-minimum term paper submitted as an attached file, due on 31 January 2024 (50%).

Reading materials will be posted at the ITC-LMS. See separate paper for reading assignment and reference.

Reference books will be suggested in classes.

This course will be conducted in English. All classes, including the first class, will be conducted in person on campus.