Japanese Study Opportunities

Students interested in studying in Japan may spend one semester studying at Waseda University Law School for transfer credit toward their J.D. degree. Semester study at Waseda may complement the extensive curricular offerings in Japanese studies at the Law School and the University.

Interdisciplinary Opportunities

Students may pursue concurrent work in the graduate program in Japanese Studies and the Law School, leading to both the M.A. and the J.D. degrees. This joint program recognizes the growing need for specialists who combine training in law with substantive knowledge of Japan.

The University's Center for Japanese Studies, established in 1947, coordinates nearly 100 courses in various disciplines relating to Japan, including business, economics, language, anthropology, political science, and sociology. Second- and third-year students may, with the approval of the Associate Dean through the Registrar, elect up to 12 hours of credit in courses that are acceptable for graduate credit in other departments within the University. Approval is normally granted upon a determination that the course is relevant to or will contribute to the education of a lawyer. Professor Mark West, Director of the Japanese Legal Studies Program, served as director of the Center from 2003 to 2008.

Faculty Exchange Program

For nearly two decades, the Law School has formally maintained a faculty exchange relationship with the University of Tokyo Faculty of Law. This program is a unique opportunity for students to meet experts on many fields of Japanese law, as well as to discuss comparative issues with regular Law School faculty who have taught in Japan (nearly half of the faculty have done so, and many have published scholarship in Japanese).