Overview

Kyushu University is one of the oldest and most prestigious national universities in Japan. The history of the University dates back to 1902, when Fukuoka Medical College was founded. Kyushu Imperial University came into existence in 1911, after the Colleges of Medicine and Engineering were established.

The University offers undergraduate and graduate level education across a full range of academic disciplines. There are currently around 19,000 students enrolled and 2,000 faculty members.

Kyushu University is particularly well known for the large number of international education programs that are offered, and for the resulting diverse student body. In 2009, the University was selected by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to participate in the “Global 30” project to further promote internationalization of higher education in Japan. At present, there are around 2,000 international students enrolled at Kyushu University from around seventy different countries.

Kyushu University is located in, Itoshima, close to the city of Fukuoka. Fukuoka is the largest city in Kyushu, the most southern of Japan’s four main islands. Fukuoka is at the heart of East Asia, midway between Tokyo, Shanghai and Seoul. It is a thriving modern metropolis that has not sacrificed its unique local character and charm. Fukuoka has regularly featured in various international rankings of the “world’s most livable cities.”

The Faculty of Law was established in September 1924 as the Department of the Faculty of Law and Letters, and acquired independent status in 1949. Since that time, the Faculty of Law has established a reputation as a centre of progressive legal research and high-level legal education.  

Annually, 200 students are admitted to the Faculty as undergraduates. As of April 2017, over 14,500 students have completed the undergraduate program. Occupational activities of these alumni are diverse, covering the legal profession, government service (both national and local), business, journalism, education, and academia. The graduate program of the Faculty, which was set up in 1953, has produced over 1,500 Master’s and 110 Doctoral degrees.

In 1994, the Faculty of Law launched Japan’s first Master’s program taught entirely in English; the LL.M. in International Economic and Business Law (IEBL). In 1999, a similar program was established focusing on comparative politics and political administration (CSPA). In 2001, the Faculty launched a special government funded program for young legal professionals of designated Asian countries (YLP). The LL.M., YLP and CSPA programs have been accepting JDS Fellows since the inception of the program.

Around 40% of students entering graduate programs at the Faculty are now coming from overseas. The Faculty now has the experience of educating students from more than 50different countries including Bangladesh, Canada, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Laos, Mongolia, South Africa, and Vietnam. Over 500 students have graduated from the various international programs offered by the Faculty. As a result, the university has accumulated a great deal of experience receiving foreign students and providing reliable support systems in education, research and living in Japan.

Requirements to Obtain a Degree

All students in the International Economic and Business Law program are expected to complete a 20-credit curriculum of coursework and write a Master’s thesis (10 credits).

【Curriculum】
The curriculum plan for a two-year Master’s program is as follows:

Semester I [6 credits]: Students must take Introduction to Legal and Political Studies, Legal Research Methodology & Writing, and two other courses offered within the framework of the IEBL.

Semester II [6 credits]: Students must take three courses offered within the framework of the IEBL.

Semester III [6 credits]: Students must take four courses offered within the framework of the IEBL. Students must also re-take Legal Research Methodology & Writing as an auditor.

Semester IV (2 credits): Students are expected to concentrate on completing the Master’s thesis. Any student who has not completed 20 credits by this stage is expected to complete the remaining necessary courses in Semester IV.

From October 2015 onwards, the teaching of each subject will be done within the framework of a quarter-system. Students will have at least two classes of each subject per week.

The courses offered in the framework of the IEBL can be found at:
http://www.law.kyushu-u.ac.jp/programsinenglish/iebl/2018.4-2019.3/class%20list%20and%20course%20description%202018.pdf

The IEBL program focuses on international economic and business law from a comparative perspective, emphasizing (i) domestic laws related to this issue, especially civil law, competition law, foreign investment law, civil litigation, intellectual property law, commercial law, and conflict of laws, and (ii) the emerging fields of international commercial and trade law.

The program is intended to provide JDS Fellows with a variety of intellectual and practical skills required to confront the many challenges of international economic affairs and commercial transactions in a rapidly globalizing world.

Students who successfully complete the program will be conferred a Master’s degree in law (LL.M.).

Over the two years of study, JDS Fellows are required to complete a coursework component of approximately 10 semester length courses and write a 70+ pages master’s thesis on a topic of their choosing.

【Courses】
Below is an indicative list of the type of courses available for JDS Fellows:

• Legal Research Methodology and Writing
• Fundamental Issues in IP Laws
• Introduction to EU Law
• Transnational Commercial Law and Foreign Investment Law
• White Collar and Corporate Crime
• International Law in Today’s World
• IP and Private International Law
• International Maritime Law
• Contemporary Issues in Competition Law
• Introduction to Japanese Law, Historical Perspective
• Mediation & Conflict Management Approaches
• Japanese Intellectual Property Law Practice
• Creative Economy and Cultural Diversity
• Environmental & Energy Governance
• International Financial Law and Regulation
• Comparative Corporate Law
• Legal Negotiation
• World Trade Law
• Platforms and the Law

【Thesis】
JDS Fellows are required to write a Master’s thesis of over 70 pages. The thesis may be on any topic in the fields of economic and business law.

Two professors will supervise students in writing their thesis. The supervisors will offer both practical and specialized help to ensure that the thesis meets the standards expected of Master’s level research.

LL.M. Program in International Economic and Business Law (IEBL)

The IEBL program focuses on international economic and business law from a comparative perspective, emphasizing (i) domestic laws related to this issue, especially civil law, competition law, foreign investment law, civil litigation, intellectual property law, commercial law, and conflict of laws, and (ii) the emerging fields of international commercial and trade law.

The program is intended to provide JDS Fellows with a variety of intellectual and practical skills required to confront the many challenges of international economic affairs and commercial transactions in a rapidly globalizing world.

All students in the JDS Program are expected to complete a 20-credit curriculum and write a 70 pages Master’s thesis (10 credits).

The JDS Program uses a Quarter System. Each Semester (Fall and Spring) is divided into two quarters. Students will normally have two classes of each subject per week over the course of the quarter for regular classes. In addition, intensive classes are organized during the Semester. Most classes award 2 credits.

The curriculum plan for the JDS Program is as follows. Students must gain a minimum of 20 credits from courses offered within the framework of the JDS Program.

4 credits are received from taking a special course for JDS students - the JDS Forum – taught over two years.

The 16 remaining credits from courses must be distributed as follows over the four semesters of study:

A list of the courses offered in the framework of the JDS Program can be found at:
http://www.law.kyushu-u.ac.jp/programsinenglish/iebl/2018.4-2019.3/class%20list%20and%20course%20description%202018.pdf

The following is an indicative list of courses offered in the last few years (this list is just indicative and is subject to change on a yearly basis):

(IMPORTANT NOTE: the schedule below serves as an example and will be subject to change)

Academic Calendar 2018-2019

Library
The Law Library of Kyushu University houses one of the largest collections in Japan with over 310,000 volumes. It is particularly well known for its collection of international and foreign-language materials, and provides an excellent research resource for all graduate students.

Technology
Kyushu University provides wireless access throughout the campus. International students enrolled on a program at the Graduate School of Law are given access to the LL.M. Study Room, which contains a number of computers and network hubs for laptops. Students are also given access to an extensive selection of on-line databases containing both English and Japanese materials, including LEXIS/NEXIS & WESTLAW.

Student Supporter
All international students enrolled on a course at the Graduate School of Law will be provided with a Student Supporter to assist with various practical matters upon arriving in Japan. This includes meeting newly arrived students at Fukuoka Airport, accompanying the student to their accommodation, helping in opening a bank account & registering at the Ward Office, and other practical assistance. The support service ensures that adjusting to life in Japan goes smoothly for all incoming international students.

International Student Center
With over 2,500 international students from over 80 countries, Kyushu University has a diverse and international student body. The International Students Center serves as a resource providing a range of services from Japanese language classes, immigration advice to counseling. For more information, please see:
http://www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/intlweb-e/student/index.htm

Housing
Information on university accommodation can be found on the KUSC web page:
http://www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/supportcenter/en/housing

The “Housing Application Form” for university accommodation can be completed via the KUSC on-line system. The cost of university accommodation is significantly cheaper than the private sector.

Please note, however, that university accommodation is limited and we cannot guarantee that it will be provided. Please note that this year the system for allocating housing for international students has changed, and – in consequence – there is less housing available than before. Any information that you may have received from former students may be out of date.

In the event that you are not allocated university accommodation, KUSC will provide information about other appropriate dormitories.

From University:

The support systems that Kyushu University has established for international students ensure that settling in Japan will be a smooth and comfortable experience. Moreover, the city of Fukuoka enjoys a reputation for its comfortable living conditions and openness to foreign residents.

A motivated and committed faculty will strive to ensure that all JDS Fellows have a rewarding educational experience. The Faculty of Law has been conducting courses in English for almost 20 years. The “know-how” gained from this experience means that JDS Fellows are offered an international standard educational experience that is sensitive to the differing needs of a diverse student body.

In addition to the Regular Curriculum, the JDS Program in Kyushu University has been developing the following activities under the “Special Program” for more than 10 years. Almost all of these activities are jointly designed and implemented by JDS students and the JDS Director, to fully achieve the objectives of JDS Program:

(a) Pre-arrival Training: Preparatory “distance education” by email & Skype or supervision in each country, from May to August prior to their arrival, to clarify the research proposals of new students;

(b) Post-arrival Training: A workshop organized right after arrival. Based on their pre-arrival training, newcomers are required to make presentations and have debates with Professors and 2nd-year students, to help students to complete their theses in time;

(c) JDS Intensive Courses: A series of intensive courses (3~4 days or 1 week) by distinguished scholars or practitioners in the fields of the research topics of JDS students;

(d) JDS Forum: Class organized for JDS students only (every week), which is an Intensive training to practice the skills of making a presentation & debate in English (20 min. of presentation & 70 min. of defense for each student);

(e) JDS Special Lecture: Special lectures by practitioners in (non-intensive) ad hoc style;

(f) JDS Front: Practical education by actively attending international & domestic conference, Moot Competition, Gashuku (field trips), internship etc., such as participating in ASLI (Asia Law Institute) International Conference held abroad (every year), Joint Workshops with JDS Alumni in JDS countries (every year), JDS Gashuku (field trips in Japan to improve their understandings of Japanese society and culture, and to promote exchanges between JDS students and local practitioners (twice per year), participation in Moot Competition (every year), and exchange programs and internships, etc. Under JDS Front, all JDS students will be required to visit at least 4 foreign countries and 4 major cities in Japan during 2-year study in JDS Program;

(g) English Language Check of Thesis Draft: Before submitting the thesis, students will be provided with an English language check of their whole thesis by native English speakers.