1.1 History and Achievements

Tohoku University was established in 1907 as the Tohoku Imperial University. Ever since, Tohoku University has embraced its role as one of Japan’s leading academic institutions, fostering the next generation of leaders through academic excellence. “Research First”, “Open Door” and “Practice Oriented Research and Education” have been the defining principles of the university for more than a century. Emphasis has been put on research, with the belief that top-class researchers would be able to provide a high level of education, and contribute to the overall good of society. This spirit has allowed us to earn recognition in Japan and beyond for both research and educational excellence.
Since its establishment, the university has continued to grow in size and is attracting a growing number of students. Tohoku University now consists of 10 faculties for undergraduate students, 16 graduate schools, together with a number of research institutes. More than 3,000 academic staff engage in research in a variety of areas. There are approximately 16,500 students enrolled, including 10,040 undergraduates, 3,838 graduate students in the master’s program, and 2,581 doctoral students. International students come to Tohoku University from over 90 countries and regions.

1.2 Location and Campus

The main campuses of Tohoku University are located in the city of Sendai, the political and economic center of the Tohoku region. Sendai is located approximately 300 km to the north of Tokyo, and is linked by high-speed trains to the capital (travelling time approximately 100 minutes). Sendai Airport is served by flights to major airports in Japan including Narita International Airport, and also to a number of international destinations such as Seoul and Taipei.
Despite being home to over one million residents, Sendai is known as “the forest city” for its natural beauty. The main campuses of the university are located on the nature-rich Mt. Aoba, conveniently connected to central Sendai by a subway system (less than 10 minutes to central Sendai). The city is remarkably compact and easy to get around. Most students live near the campus and commute by foot or bicycle.

2.1 Bridging Theory and Practice

In line with the university’s motto of “Research First” and “Practice Oriented Research and Education”, the Graduate of School of Law has been promoting research with the ideal of “bridging theory and practice”. We continue to value this tradition we have inherited from our former faculty members, which include notable figures such as Shigeru Oda (former judge at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)), Tokiyasu Fujita (former justice of the Supreme Court of Japan), Soji Yamamoto (former judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)), and Kuniko Ozaki (judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC)).
Bridging theory and practice together in our research, the Graduate School of Law/Faculty of Law at Tohoku University is regarded as a center for research in a number of fields of law, such as administrative law, family law, and international law. We endeavor to continue our ongoing contributions in addressing various issues faced by society today through the lens of law.

2.2 Continuing the Law of the Sea Tradition

Ever since Judge Oda took up his position at our school in his twenties after writing his renowned “International Control of Sea Resources”, our department has been a center of law of the sea studies in Japan. Centering mainly on the issue of ocean resources, the law of the sea has considerably evolved increased its importance since the era of Judge Oda’s early career. This is especially true in East and Southeast Asia, where ongoing maritime disputes such as in the South China Sea are a significant problem for the overall relations in the region. We envisage that expertise in the international law of the sea should greatly benefit JDS fellows from Vietnam who are pursuing a career in diplomacy/international law or ocean policy.
Continuing our tradition, current faculty members of the Graduate School of Law include leading experts on cutting-edge issues in the law of the sea, such as South China Sea issues, conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) and Arctic issues. We invite future JDS Fellows with interest in this field to be a part of our tradition, and to bridge a deeper understanding of the law of the sea from studying at our school (“Theory”) with your future career (“Practice”).

2.3 A Rich Academic Environment

The Graduate School of Law at Tohoku University is an ideal place to study law, and international law in particular. The close academic community of faculty members and students offer a unique environment in which to engage in discussions not only with staff and students in your own field of study, but also with those involved in research in other related fields.
The Tohoku University library’s large collection of academic material will support students in their coursework and in writing their master’s theses. The library holds a good collection of books, journals and electronic material, including access to major law databases. A considerable amount of material on the law of the sea in particular has been accumulated over the decades. The library is also a United Nations Depository Library, and will provide easy access to UN documents and materials.

3.1 Master’s Program in Law

Students enrolled in the Master’s Program in law are required to acquire 30 credits or more in two years to be awarded a degree of Master of Laws. They must also complete their master’s thesis and pass an oral examination, in partial fulfillment of the degree requirement. The Master’s program consists of two main components: (1) taking courses in order to acquire/enhance their knowledge of specific areas of study (22 credits) and (2) completing a master’s thesis on a specific topic under supervision (8 credits).
To fulfill the needs of JDS Fellows seeking to become experts in international law and especially in the law of the sea, courses on international law in general and in the law of the sea will be provided in English. However, students are also encouraged to explore the variety of English-taught courses available in the Graduate School of Law Master’s program and in other departments of the university. Courses in related areas such as global governance, international relations, Japanese politics and Law and Chinese politics are provided in the Master’s Program in Law, and will provide a broader perspective in which to address law of the sea issues.
Based on basic training provided though the courses, students will then focus on a selected topic they choose for their research. Students are expected to choose a particular theme in the law of the sea which have both theoretical and practical implications. A supervisor will closely guide students on their research, from choosing the research theme to completing the thesis. A number of “checkpoints”, such as a colloquium for students to make interim presentations on their progress will be set up, to ensure that students will not be left behind. Through this process, students will acquire the basic skills and knowledge necessary to become an “expert” on the law of the sea.
JDS Fellows interested in studying the Japanese language will also have the option of taking courses offered in the Tohoku University Japanese Language Program. The Language Program offers a variety of courses at different levels. Although these courses are not eligible as credits for the fulfillment of the degree requirement, they may provide additional value to your stay in Japan for two years.

3.2 Law of the Sea Program

Although the Graduate School of Law at Tohoku University has been offering courses in English for international students for a quite a number of years, we have newly designed a program focused on the international law of the sea, especially tailored to suit the needs of foreign students wishing to acquire/enhance their knowledge of the law of the sea. We are launching the program with the renewed realization that this field of law increasingly requires serious attention, especially in its current Asian context. We look forward to discussing law of the sea issues with JDS Fellows from Vietnam, among other students from various backgrounds.
In light of our spirit of “Research First” and “Practice Oriented Research and Education”, it is our belief that being an expert is more about being able to utilize deep understandings of the law in practice than merely being knowledgeable. For this reason, less than half of the courses on international law and the law of the sea are lectures. The rest of the classes will be small-sized seminars focused on discussing a particular case or issue. For example, in the Seminar on the Law of the Sea, students will choose a particular topic from a list of issues and conduct research on their own, starting from the suggested reference materials. They will then make presentations in class, followed by discussions with all the participants. Through this kind of active learning process, JDS Fellows will foster not only their legal expertise, but also their presentation, writing and debating skills in English.

3.3 Special Program for JDS Fellows

Special Programs for our JDS Fellows will focus on three major areas: (1) special seminars and lectures and (2) organizing a study trip to Tokyo. As we are newly launching our program, we will adjust the special seminars, special lectures and study trips according to the Fellow’s research interests. We also plan to make improvements upon feedback.
(1) We will organize special seminars and lectures and invite renowned experts or practitioners in the field of the law of the sea and in related areas. The seminar will highlight a particular current issue and will provide an opportunity to have discussions with an expert with first-hand knowledge of the issue. The themes of the seminars will be selected so as to facilitate JDS Fellows in their work on their master’s thesis as much as possible. The special academic seminar will also aim to connect Fellows with key experts and practitioners in Japan.
(2) We will organize a study trip to Tokyo, to visit related ministries and think-tanks and to exchange views with officials and experts on ongoing law of the sea issues. This will provide a chance for JDS Fellows to understand how issues are perceived by relevant actors and stakeholders in Japan. At the same time, Fellows will be asked to be ready to explain the relevant issueｓ for Vietnam. This will create good opportunities for Fellows to reflect on the implications of their studies for their home country. The study trip will also be yet another opportunity for JDS Fellows to get acquainted with experts and practitioners in the field.

To obtain the degree of Master of Laws from the Graduate School of Law at Tohoku University, students are required to take 30 credits or more, and to complete a master’s thesis under supervision from the supervising faculty member. 6 credits are awarded when students complete their master’s thesis and pass the final examination, and 6 additional credits can be acquired for supervised work in developing the thesis. The rest of the credits must be acquired by taking and passing courses in the Master’s Program.

There are no compulsory courses in the Master’s Program. JDS Fellows may choose from courses taught in English in the Program. If they wish, they may also choose from courses offered in other departments and in the Faculty of Law for undergraduates (Upon approval, students may include up to 8 credits in the 30 credits required for the master’s degree).

Courses specially designed for JDS Fellows and other international students will be offered in the field of international law and the law of the sea (4 to 6 credits each semester). These courses include an introductory lecture in international law (depending on Fellows’ experiences in international law), a lecture on the international law of the sea, and seminars each focused on (1) international legal theory, (2) reading academic literature, (3) analyzing judgments/awards of international courts and tribunals, and (4) engaging in research and discussions on contemporary issues in the law of the sea. A special lecture in the intersessional period (2 credits) will also be provided.

Kentaro NISHIMOTO, Ph.D., Professor of International Law

Kentaro Nishimoto is Professor at the Graduate School of Law, Tohoku University. He obtained his doctorate from the University of Tokyo in 2011, with a thesis on the “Territoriality and Functionality in the Historical Formation of the Modern Law of the Sea”. He teaches public international law at Tohoku University, and also teaches a course on the law of the sea at the Graduate School of Public Policy, the University of Tokyo. He serves on a number of government committees and expert groups in Japan, such as the Advisory Board on the Extension of the Continental Shelf at the Secretariat of the Headquarters for Ocean Policy. He is also adviser to the Japanese delegation to the “Intergovernmental Conference on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction”. His current research focuses on the legal regime of the outer continental shelf, settlement of maritime disputes in Asia, marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction, and Arctic issues.

The standard time frame for the completion of the Program is two years. The following table is a model schedule for JDS Fellows in the Master’s Program in Law:

Accommodation
Tohoku University has several residence complexes close to its campuses that offer housing for international students, subject to availability. University House Aobayama, located in an adjacent campus, is suitable for master’s course students as it allows for stays up to two years (Other university accommodation only allow for stays less than a year). University House Aobayama is a new facility which opened recently in 2018. It features open living rooms and private bedrooms furnished with a variety of necessities. In the event that university accommodation is not available, there are private housing options in the area around the university campus.

Library
Students in the Master’s Program in Law will have access to the Tohoku University library system. The department library located in the first floor of the Faculty of Law building has a good collection of periodicals in the field of law and politics, including international law. The Faculty of Law building is conveniently located next to the Main Library, which houses over 2.7 million books, about 40% of which are in foreign languages (mostly English). The Main Library was recently renovated and easy to use. The library offers “Concierge Service for International Students” staffed by graduate student staff from various countries, to help international students with using the library or with their studies.

International Support Office
The International Support Office of the Tohoku University provides support to international students and researchers on a variety of issues, “from issues with the Status of Residence to tips for everyday shopping. The office has an informative website in English, covering all aspects of coming to and living in Sendai. The website can be accessed at http://sup.bureau.tohoku.ac.jp/index_en.html

From University:

Message to Future JDS Fellows
The law of the sea program at the Graduate School of Law at Tohoku University is a newly launched program that we plan to foster with our future JDS Fellows. However, based on our experience with international students and our tradition of bridging theory and practice, we are confident that our program will fit comfortably with the needs of Fellows with an interest in the field of the international law of the sea. We look forward to seeing you in Sendai.

From JDS Alumni/Fellow:

Ms. Duong Tra My, JDS 2018 – 2020, National Boundary Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The first winter in Japan

“Having dreamed of studying and living in an advanced country with rich culture like Japan, undoubtedly I feel a lot of luck for being chosen as one of the applicants of JDS 2018. The most impressive thing after 1 year in Tohoku University, which tops 4th in Japan’s universities, is that I have approached to a modern academic environment which always facilitates students to actively learn and research for continuous self-improvement in study journey. Besides, the students, especially international students, are encouraged to join various local extracurricular programs and tours to discover and have a better perception of the life, people and culture in North East Japan and other regions of beautiful Japan.”

Mr. Phan Hoang Tran Trong An, JDS 2019-2021, the People's Court of Hai Phong City, Supreme People's Procuracy

JDS Fellows in front of Tohoku University

“Thanks to the JDS scholarship program, I have the opportunity to study at the prestigious Tohoku University. This is one of the seven national schools of Japan, always in the top of the best universities in Japan and the world. You will have access to a modern, friendly learning environment, a huge knowledge library, and the enthusiastic help of professors and universities. It can be said that, when coming here, the only worry is studying, just study.
And to talk about the city of Sendai, if you have ever traveled to a region just to enjoy a dish of a 3-star Michelin restaurant, you should definitely go to Sendai. It can be said that this is a land of culture, of cuisine, and especially of plants. The four seasons of Sendai City are four different shirts, each with a different look. Spring, the season of the breath of life. Summer, the season of festivals. Winter of snow and autumn of red-green forests. Being immersed in the dense knit space of culture, cuisine, nature of Japan in general, and Sendai, in particular, will definitely be an unforgettable experience.”