This course explores the visions and historical processes that shaped the political, economic, and legal principles, policies, and practices of a transnational order in East Asia from the mid-nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth. Its focus will be on the trans-Pacific interactions between the United States, Japan, the Philippines, and China, but always with the rest of East Asia in mind. The discussions will delve into the interplay of law, politics, and economics during the period covered. Through these discussions, this class will explore new ways of understanding the historical developments whereby a coherent transnational order was formed in East Asia. The aim will be to overcome the limitations of the two prevalent narratives regarding East Asian history. The first, known as the “Western Impact” model, looks at modern East Asian history in the context of how each society reacted to Western powers attempting to dominate the area through trade and colonization. The second approach has traditionally been presented as an antithesis to the first, focusing on the internal logic of East Asian societies, and modernization in these societies is explained by referring primarily to domestic political dynamics, avoiding overemphasis on influence from the West. By grounding our analyses on the development of a transnational order among East Asian societies on one hand, but focusing on trans-Pacific interactions on the other, our objective will be to re-assess not just the history of East Asian societies, but the history of the US, and its role in the shaping of a global order that remains crucially important to this day.

This course explores the visions and historical processes that shaped the political, economic, and legal principles, policies, and practices of a transnational order in East Asia from the mid-nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth. Its focus will be on the trans-Pacific interactions between the United States, Japan, the Philippines, and China, but always with the rest of East Asia in mind. The discussions will delve into the interplay of law, politics, and economics during the period covered. Through these discussions, this class will explore new ways of understanding the historical developments whereby a coherent transnational order was formed in East Asia. The aim will be to overcome the limitations of the two prevalent narratives regarding East Asian history. The first, known as the “Western Impact” model, looks at modern East Asian history in the context of how each society reacted to Western powers attempting to dominate the area through trade and colonization. The second approach has traditionally been presented as an antithesis to the first, focusing on the internal logic of East Asian societies, and modernization in these societies is explained by referring primarily to domestic political dynamics, avoiding overemphasis on influence from the West. By grounding our analyses on the development of a transnational order among East Asian societies on one hand, but focusing on trans-Pacific interactions on the other, our objective will be to re-assess not just the history of East Asian societies, but the history of the US, and its role in the shaping of a global order that remains crucially important to this day.

・英語で日本法を学ぶ機会を広く提供するプログラムであり、アメリカ、オーストラリア、韓国、シンガポール、タイ、台湾、中国、ベルギーなど各国からの学生が参加する予定である。本学の学生にとっても、世界各国の学生や、海外で活躍する日本の一線級の実務家・研究者と議論し、大いに見聞を拡げ、将来に向けての継続的な交流の手がかりを得る場となることが見込まれる。 ・講師が単に日本法の講義を行うというのではなく、多様なバックグラウンドを持つ参加者間でのディスカッションを通じて、日本が直面する現在の法的な問題に取り組むことを想定している。また、最高裁判所や法律事務所の見学を予定しており、学生の間に日本の法実務に触れる良い機会にもなろう。

In this course, we will read and discuss (i) some foundational cases that have been frequently cited in subsequent cases and also (ii) latest cases addressing contemporary issues, under the WTO dispute settlement procedures. The course aims that participants will accurately understand and digest the required legal knowledge, and will be able to discuss and analyze the implications of findings in the subject cases.

How does law realize public policy? What prevents laws to be effective? How can practitioners prepare for various stages in the making of law and public policy? With the focus on international economic law, this course will address these questions by exploring the two-level game theory, which views international negotiations as simultaneous discussions at both the domestic and international levels, as well as the concept of ambiguity of law. This course is structured around three learning objectives: (1) understanding the theories of law and public policy; (2) applying theoretical understanding of law and public policy to real-life issues and cases; and (3) experiencing negotiations and briefings which are the daily activities of practitioners.

This course will help students understand the fundamentals of law in contemporary Japan. Students will gain a foundational grasp of the origins of Japan’s legal system and the key concepts and influences that shape it today, both in isolation and in their social context. Students will learn to consider core areas of Japanese law critically, discuss their perspectives with others, and draw on comparisons with other legal systems as needed. The course assumes no knowledge of Japanese law or law in general.

This course will help students understand the fundamentals of law in contemporary Japan. Students will gain a foundational grasp of the origins of Japan’s legal system and the key concepts and influences that shape it today, both in isolation and in their social context. Students will learn to consider core areas of Japanese law critically, discuss their perspectives with others, and draw on comparisons with other legal systems as needed. The course assumes no knowledge of Japanese law or law in general.

It has been almost a century since Japan's first trial by jury system (Baishin-seido 1928) was introduced. More than fifteen years have passed since the introduction of Japan's second trial by jury system (Saiban'in-seido 2009). Both of Japan's trial by jury systems were significant but controversial reforms aimed at incorporating citizen participation in criminal trials in order to improve the functioning of the judiciary and overcome its failures to strengthen the rule of law. This seminar will critically examine why these systems were introduced, what functions these systems actually fulfil and how they operate in reality. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach inherent to law and society studies, we will explore the historical, comparative, political and sociological dimensions of Japan’s trial by jury systems, with a particular focus on Japan's unique trajectory. The seminar will begin by tracing the historical development of jury trials in Japan, from early experiments in the late 19th century, through their pre-war implementation (1928-1943), to their post-war revival under US rule in Okinawa (1945-1972). Through this historical lens, we will contextualise Japan's modern Saiban'in system within broader global trends and compare it with jury systems in other jurisdictions. Our discussions will also incorporate contemporary issues, such as political discourses surrounding citizen participation and trends in statistical data, to provide a basis for understanding jury trials both quantitatively and qualitatively. The jury is often hailed as a symbol of democracy and fairness, but it is also criticised for being biased, unpredictable, and unqualified. To assess these claims, we will analyse a range of primary materials - including court decisions, legislative texts, political speeches, and personal accounts - alongside secondary academic readings. Methodological introductions at the beginning of each class will equip students with sociological tools, such as legal consciousness studies and comparative analysis, to critically engage with these materials. In addition, students will conduct interviews with individuals who have participated in jury trials, fostering first-hand insights into the practical realities of citizen participation in legal decision-making. The course will also include guest speakers from a range of legal backgrounds, such as practising lawyers, judges, and NGO representatives, who will provide practical perspectives on the role of the jury in contemporary society. Through our discussions, students will grapple with pressing questions: How do collective social narratives shape perceptions of justice? Why does Japan's criminal justice system resist deeper structural change? How does the interplay between institutional frameworks and cultural values influence jury systems? By the end of the course, students will have developed a nuanced understanding of the jury as a dynamic yet controversial institution. They will be able to analyse the challenges facing the jury in contemporary society, understand the legal rules governing jury trials, and engage with key social science research on jury systems. In addition, students will apply social science theory, research, and methodology to address complex issues surrounding the jury, equipping them with the tools to critically assess its potential and limitations in Japan and beyond.

広く産学官にわたってグローバルに活躍するために必要な「俯瞰力」を養成することを目指す。物質科学の各分野について最先端の知識を修得し、自分の専門分野と周辺分野がどのように関連するか、あるいはし得るか、について深く考察するために、第一線で活躍する講師の方々にその分野の最前線を概観していただく。さらに、それらの講義を通して異分野間のコミュニケーションを円滑に進めるための具体的方法論を学ぶ。 This survey course is designed to enable students to develop the broad perspective that is required of global leaders working in and across industry, academia, and government. Students will gain knowledge and insight on advancements in each field of materials science research, given by leading researchers working on the frontline in those fields. This will allow students to consider how peripheral fields are related to their own area of expertise, and to consider the potential for forging bridges between related fields in the future. In addition, students will learn specific methodologies designed to facilitate smooth communication among different disciplines.