Keith Mack
If you're interested in studying American law in Japan, there are a few options available to you. Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) is the first educational institution in Japan to be officially recognized as a Foreign University, and it offers students from Temple Law School and other U.S. law schools the opportunity to study in Tokyo for a semester or complete a full four-year program. The University of Michigan Law School also offers a Japanese Legal Studies Program that combines training in law with substantive knowledge of Japan. Additionally, since 2004, Japan has allowed the development of graduate-level law schools offering Juris Doctor degrees, which typically take between five and seven years to complete. However, it's important to note that semester tuition fees and living expenses in Japan are generally higher than in the U.S.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Law school system | Based on formal schooling rather than comprehensive and difficult annual examinations |
| Bar exam passage rate | Nearly 50% |
| Number of attempts allowed for the bar exam | 3 in 5 years |
| Semester tuition fees for a law degree | 600,000 yen (4500 Euros, $6000 USD) |
| Average school expenses for international students | $60,000 USD (45,000 Euros) |
| Currency | Yen |
| Language | Japanese |
| Unique opportunity | Semester-long program in Tokyo, Japan offered by Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) |
| Courses offered by TUJ | Standard and specialty law courses with a focus on international, comparative, and Asian legal studies |
| Number of students in the TUJ program | 25 |
| Number of credits required for a J.D. degree at TUJ | 80% of the total credits |
| Number of countries represented by students at TUJ | Over 20 |
| University with longstanding ties to Japan offering a Japanese Legal Studies Program | University of Michigan Law School |
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What You'll Learn
Temple University, Tokyo
Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) is a branch campus of Temple University, a large public institution based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the oldest and largest foreign university in Japan, with approximately 1,840 matriculated undergraduate students, of which approximately 40% are from Japan. The university offers degree programs, including an AA, BA, MSEd, in TESOL, PhD in Applied Linguistics, Master in Management (MiM), and LLM, and offers semester and year-long study abroad programs for U.S. undergraduate and law students.
Since 1994, Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) has offered students from Temple Law School, other U.S. law schools, and international law schools the opportunity to study in Tokyo, Japan, for an entire semester. This is the only ABA-approved semester-long program in Japan. The program also provides participants with an invaluable chance to experience Asia and an opportunity to become distinguished in a competitive legal market. The courses are taught by a combination of full-time faculty resident in Japan, one faculty member from the main campus who is visiting Japan, and local adjunct faculty.
Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) shares a campus with Showa Women's University (SWU) in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. The Temple Japan building provides excellent resources, including enhanced common areas, a modern library, expanded and improved studio spaces, and a dedicated art gallery. There are also athletic facilities and a more traditional university setting at Showa. Facilities include classroom space, art studios, computer labs, and a wireless network, student lounges, a library, a career center, a teaching and learning center, and administrative offices.
Students can take both standard and specialty law courses that focus on international, comparative, and Asian legal studies and provide students with practical knowledge of international law and business. The comparative law courses provide in-depth knowledge of current issues in transnational law through an analysis of the cultural foundation for the Japanese legal system. Students may also take a non-credit Japanese language course.
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Japanese Law School System
Japan implemented a new law school system in 2004, shifting the focus from comprehensive annual examinations to formal schooling. The Japanese government also passed a law in the same year, permitting the establishment of graduate-level law schools offering Juris Doctor degrees. Obtaining a law degree in Japan typically takes between five and seven years.
The Japanese Bar Exam, or Shihō Shiken, is known for being one of the most challenging exams worldwide, with a historical passing rate of only three per cent. Since 2006, it has been mandatory to possess a law school degree before taking this exam. The revision of the exam has resulted in passage rates climbing to nearly 50 per cent. The exam can be retaken, but only up to three times in five years.
In Japan, there are over 100 universities with undergraduate law faculties, and more than 35,000 attorneys registered with bar associations as of August 2014. However, due to cultural traditions, lawsuits are rarely used to settle disputes in Japan. This has led to a shortage of lawyers, prompting the government to allow universities to offer graduate law courses.
For international students, the cost of earning a law degree in Japan is significantly higher than in the US or Europe. The average fees at a Japanese university amount to 600,000 yen (4500 Euros or $6000 USD). International students can expect to pay around $60,000 USD (45,000 Euros) in school expenses alone. Additionally, living expenses in Japan, particularly in major cities like Tokyo, are higher than in Western countries.
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Foreign Lawyers in Japan
Foreign lawyers can practice law in Japan, but they must register as a "registered foreign lawyer" or "GJB/Gaiben" (.. colloquial term). This requires approval from the Minister of Justice, three years of job experience, and registration as a special member of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA) and a local bar association. The JFBA is a federation of all local bar associations in Japan, with one exception in Tokyo, which has three local bar associations. To become a member of a local bar association, the applicant must have two members who will recommend them, who may be Japanese lawyers or GJB members. The registration process includes a registration and license tax of 60,000 JPY, a registration fee of 30,000 JPY for the JFBA, and a registration fee of 30,000 JPY for the local bar association.
The Foreign Lawyers Act, enacted in 1987, created a pathway for foreign lawyers to practice specified foreign laws in Japan. The Act has undergone several amendments since its enactment, with the most recent amendment in 2020 relaxing the requirements for foreign lawyers. Previously, foreign lawyers needed three years of post-qualification experience in their home jurisdiction to be eligible to become a Registered Foreign Lawyer. The 2020 amendment allows up to two years of lawful practice in Japan to be counted towards this requirement.
Registered foreign lawyers in Japan have some restrictions on the legal services they can provide. They may not handle certain legal services such as representation in procedures before public agencies, including Japanese courts. They may employ an attorney but may not provide business instructions beyond the scope of their competence. They are also subject to disciplinary action if they violate the Act on Special Measures or any provisions of the articles of association of the bar association to which they belong.
For foreign students interested in studying law in Japan, Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) offers a semester-long program in Tokyo, as well as a year-round program where students can earn LL.M. degrees and certificates. The courses are taught in English, and the program welcomes students from Temple Law School and other U.S. and international law schools. The semester program provides an opportunity for students to experience Asia and gain a competitive edge in the legal market.
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US Law School Recognition
The Temple University Beasley School of Law, Japan Campus (TUJ) is the first educational institution in Japan to be officially recognised as a Foreign University by the country's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The university's law school, founded in 1895, is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and has been offering students from Temple Law School, other US law schools, and international law schools the opportunity to study in Tokyo, Japan, for a semester since 1994. This is the only ABA-approved semester-long program in Japan.
The Beasley School of Law offers LL.M. degrees and certificates, with courses taught in English, usually on weekday evenings and occasionally on weekends. The program ordinarily welcomes 25 students, with approximately 15 students from Temple Law and 10 from other law schools. Students from other law schools are encouraged to apply, but they should consult with their home institution to confirm that the coursework will count toward their J.D. degree. Most ABA-accredited law schools will accept Temple credits toward their J.D. degree.
The Temple University Japan Campus shares a campus with Showa Women’s University (SWU) in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. The program provides students with an invaluable chance to experience Asia and an opportunity to become distinguished in a competitive legal market. Students take both standard and specialty law courses that focus on international, comparative, and Asian legal studies, and provide practical knowledge of international law and business. The comparative law courses offer in-depth knowledge of current issues in transnational law through an analysis of the cultural foundation for the Japanese legal system.
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Japanese Language Courses
Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) is the first educational institution in Japan to be officially recognized as a Foreign University by the country's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The university offers students from Temple Law School, other U.S. law schools, and international law schools the opportunity to study in Tokyo, Japan, for a semester or two. The courses are taught in English and focus on international, comparative, and Asian legal studies. Students can also take a non-credit Japanese language course.
The University of Michigan Law School also offers a Japanese Legal Studies Program. The program recognizes the need for specialists with training in law and knowledge of Japan. The University's Center for Japanese Studies coordinates nearly 100 courses in various disciplines relating to Japan, including language. Students may pursue concurrent work in the graduate program in Japanese Studies and the Law School, leading to both the MA and the JD degrees.
Columbia Law School also offers a course in Japanese Legal Studies. This course provides an introduction to the Japanese legal system, and all instruction is in English. Japanese language ability is not a prerequisite, but students may also take advantage of the Center for Japanese Legal Studies programs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) has offered students from Temple Law School and other U.S. law schools the opportunity to study in Tokyo, Japan, for a semester since 1994. The program ordinarily welcomes 25 students, with approximately 15 students from Temple Law and 10 from other law schools.
The courses focus on international, comparative, and Asian legal studies, providing students with practical knowledge of international law and business. The comparative law courses provide in-depth knowledge of current issues in transnational law through an analysis of the cultural foundation for the Japanese legal system.
Students must attend a minimum of 80% of the regularly scheduled class hours in a course to be considered in regular attendance. Faculty members may impose more stringent attendance requirements by giving enrolled students reasonable advance notice of their specific attendance policies.
