|  | |
|
Semester in Tokyo Japan
Thank you for your interest in Temple law school's spring semester study abroad program at the Temple University, Japan Campus in Tokyo. For more information, please select one of the links below.
If you have any additional questions, please visit the Law Program's web site and feel free to contact us. Please complete this online form to request a brochure.
Also, please view the ABA report (PDF file) for the Temple University Japan semester study abroad program prepared by Professor Kent D. Syverud, currently serving as dean of Washington University in St. Louis School of Law.
Welcome
Temple University School of Law welcomes your interest in our international programs. Allow me to introduce you to Temple's renowned Semester Law Program in Japan --the only ABA-accredited semester law program in Asia.
Our Law Program presents a unique opportunity for you to study international law overseas for an entire spring semester and familiarize yourself with the global legal community. Regardless of your interest or familiarity with Japan, you can reap the rewards associated with our Program. By studying comparative and international law in Tokyo, you are exposed to a nation with a fascinating culture and the world's second largest economy. You also have access to private and public interests from Asia, Europe, South America, Middle East, and the United States.
I can personally attest to the benefits of the Law Program. As a former student participant, the Law Program propelled me to an intriguing career in both the United States and abroad involving international disputes and transactions. It served as a major building block in the 15 years experience that I have amassed in relation to Japan, the Asia-Pacific region, and international legal matters.
Many factors contribute to the allure of the Law Program. For an entire semester (or an entire year for Transnational LL.M. students), students from nearly any ABA-accredited law school may take advantage of the invaluable educational, international, legal, cultural, and career-enhancing opportunities offered by our Program. It is not necessary to speak Japanese or possess any prior experience with Asia to take advantage of our Program, as everyone is rewarded with a better understanding of international law, global issues, and cross-border business gained through classes with distinguished scholars and global practitioners. Students are also exposed to visits to legal institutions such as the Japanese Supreme Court, the Diet, and a maximum security Japanese prison. In addition, the Law Program opens doors to practical experience and a professional network in the international legal, business, and academic communities.
Many law students land internships in Tokyo at major corporations, international and Japanese law firms, governmental agencies, and public interest organizations. In today's legal environment, such opportunities are invaluable!
I strongly encourage you to participate in the Law Program as a J.D. student or candidate for our LL.M. in Transnational Law degree. If you need additional information or have questions about the Law Program, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely, Matthew J. Wilson, Associate Dean
Academic Program
Since 1994, Temple's Law Program in Japan has offered law students a unique opportunity for a meaningful study abroad experience designed to prepare the next generation of lawyers to practice in the global marketplace. In addition to studying Asian, international, and comparative law with an outstanding faculty composed of American and Japanese-educated professors, students are immersed in the Japanese culture every day. Student interaction with peers from Japan and other parts of the world is an extremely important aspect of the Program as it promotes cultural understanding and provides students with long-term professional contacts. Living in Japan helps students to understand the depth of cultural differences and develop the essential skills for true cross-cultural cooperation. This is the only ABA-approved semester abroad program located in Asia. Some students have taken advantage of the opportunity to apply credits earned in Tokyo during their J.D. studies towards Temple's LL.M. in Transnational Law.
Program Requirements
J.D. students who wish to attend the Semester in Japan must have completed their first year of study and be in good academic and disciplinary standing at an ABA-approved law school. The Program is also open year-round to students pursuing Temple's LL.M. in Transnational Law.
J.D. students are encouraged to take Introduction to Japanese Law, but are free to choose from any of the courses offered. We strongly recommend students consult with their home law school's academic advisor and/or dean of students when selecting courses to ensure they meet all the requirements for their degree.
The Curriculum
The curriculum consists of a mixture of standard law courses and specialty courses focusing on international, comparative, and Asian legal studies. The courses give students an in-depth understanding of the cultural underpinnings of Japanese and Asian law and exposure to current issues in transnational law and practice. Class sizes offer the students an opportunity to interact often with the faculty and other students. Approximately fifteen courses are offered each spring and all classes are taught in English, except Current Issues in Japanese Law, which is taught in Japanese. In addition, we offer a non-credit Japanese Language course.
We expect that the course schedule for the Spring 2010 semester will be finalized in August or September 2009. However, we anticipate that the following courses will be offered in the upcoming spring semester:
| Trust & Estates |
3 credits |
| Corporations |
3 credits |
| Evidence |
3 credits |
| Intro. to Japanese Law |
3 credits |
| Comparative Immigration |
3 credits |
| Current Issues in Japanese Law |
2 credits |
| East-West Negotiation |
3 credits |
| International Commercial Transactions |
2 credits |
| International Contract Drafting |
3 credits |
| International Entertainment Law |
2 credits |
| Intellectual Property Licensing |
2 credits |
| International Finance |
3 credits |
| International Taxation |
2 credits |
| Global Workplace: Comparative Employment/Labor Law Writing Seminar |
3 credits |
| Comparative Criminal Law & Justice Writing Seminar |
3 credits |
No prior knowledge of Japanese is required for enrollment in the Program, but students may consider studying Japanese during their stay in Japan. Students who have done so report that it enhanced their understanding of culture no matter what their level of proficiency. The Law Program has arranged for 30 hours of Japanese language instruction at the University spread over the course of several weeks for a discounted fee of $350 for the semester. Each student's language skills will be assessed at the beginning of the semester and students will be placed in an appropriate class. One course will be at a "survival" level for students with little or no prior exposure to the Japanese language. No academic credit will be given for these courses. Only beginning and intermediate level instruction is available.
Students wishing to intensively study Japanese during their stay in Tokyo can do so through Temple's Continuing Education program. The intensive Japanese language program consists of approximately 150 hours of study over a 10 week period. While the cost is subject to change, the intensive language class costs approximately $1,500. Courses are offered at Temple during the morning hours when law classes are not being held. Law students who have enrolled in the intensive language study have greatly benefited from their experience.
Temple law students may also audit an introductory Japanese language course on Temple's Philadelphia campus prior to leaving for Japan. There is no charge, but students must register in advance as there are limited seats. Temple law students may not take Japanese for credit toward the J.D. degree.
Academic Calendar
The semester abroad program follows an American academic calendar, from early January to early May. All efforts are made to ensure third year students are able to return in time for graduation and bar exams.
Spring 2009
Accreditation
Temple University School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and is a member of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS). The semester in Japan is accredited by the ABA. Temple University Japan is designated as a foreign university under Japanese law.
The Faculty
The faculty at our Tokyo campus combines academic excellence with broad experience in international law. Students learn a great deal about theories of Asian and International Law as well as how these theories are actually applied in international practice. The faculty varies somewhat from year to year, with two law professors resident in Tokyo year-round and at least one full-time faculty member from the main campus in Philadelphia teaching each spring.
Associate Dean, Japan Campus
Matthew J. Wilson, Associate Professor
Director
Sumi Sakata, Assistant Professor
Full-time Faculty
Professor Finbarr McCarthy
Adjunct Faculty
Law courses are also taught by outstanding adjunct professors who are distinguished scholars and outstanding legal practitioners based in Japan. Over the past few years, the following professors have taught in the Law Program.
Delon Abrams, Dresdner Kleinwort (Japan) Ltd.
Richard Barrett, Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Dept. of Justice
Victoria Becker, Counsel, State Street Bank
Jonathan Blaine, Vice President, Lehman Brothers
Neal Colton, Partner, Cozen O'Connor
Jeffrey D. Diener, Attorney, Paul Hastings
Paul de Graaf, Senior Counsel, The Walt Disney (Japan) Company, Ltd.
Carl Goodman, Partner (Retired) Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
Heath Havey, Attorney, Baker & McKenzie
Mark Hunsaker, General Counsel, Nikko Citigroup
Douglas Hymas, Attorney, Citigroup Asset Management Group, Ltd.
Scott Imaye, Attorney, Matsuo & Kosugi
Michael Kaminski, Partner, Foley & Lardner
Marcus Kosins, Jr., Attorney, Kosins International Law Office, Tokyo
Daniel Levison, Attorney, Morrison & Foerster
Thomas Madden, Assistant General Counsel, Bank of America
Katsuya Natori, General Counsel, I.B.M. Japan
Dean Page, Esq., President and Attorney, Japan Auxiliary K.K.
Kristen Smith, Attorney , Sandler, Travis & Rosenburg
Grant Stillman, Legal Advisor, Asian Development Bank Institute
Sidney H. Weeks, Vice President, Gemstar Multimedia Limited
Akiko Yamahara, Senior Counsel, Nikko Citigroup
Tatsuo Yoshikawa, General Counsel, Apple Japan
Stanley Yukevich, Partner, Morrison & Foerster
TUJ Facilities and Services
The Law Program is part of Temple University Japan (TUJ), founded in 1982 as a branch campus of Temple University. The Program is part of TUJ's law department. It is the oldest and largest American university in Japan, with over 2,800 students.
TUJ has two academic buildings and one administrative building located in south central Tokyo in a district that is especially known for the number of embassies located there. The centrally located campus is within easy reach of a number of interesting Tokyo neighborhoods including Shibuya, an entertainment area popular with young adults, and Roppongi, the famous night-life district. The Imperial Palace, where the Emperor resides, the Diet Building, and the shopping districts of Ginza and Shinjuku are all less than three miles from TUJ. There are a number of convenient shops and small Japanese eateries around the campus.
TUJ occupies three modern office buildings, within a ten-minute walk of one another. All buildings are non-smoking. Mita Hall houses the Law Program and certain other TUJ programs, including the Fox School of Business and Management. Mita Hall also houses the Law Program's administration and faculty offices, student mailboxes, smart classrooms, a computer lab with Internet and Lexis/Westlaw access, quiet and group study areas, and student lounges. Azabu Annex houses TUJ administration and Azabu Hall houses additional TUJ administration, the library, undergraduate program and faculty offices, as well as classrooms, computer labs, a writing center, an audio/video center, a language lab, and a student lounge. Law students can take advantage of the resources in both Mita Hall and Azabu Hall. All buildings have wireless internet capability.
TUJ's campus is accessible by public transportation from every part of the Tokyo metropolitan area. Both Mita Hall and Azabu Hall are within walking distance of several subway and JR train stations. Mita Hall is a five-minute walk from Shirokane Takanawa Station on the Namboku line or the Toei Mita line; a ten-minute walk from Mita and Tamachi Stations on the Toei Asakusa line, Toei Mita line, or the JR line; or a fifteen-minute walk from Azabu Juban Station on the Namboku line or the Toei Oedo line.
Library
The TUJ Library is housed in Azabu Hall and provides access to over 48,000 books and 2000 periodical titles. Temple University Japan subscribes to over 600 serial and journal titles. Journal holdings vary by title but, as a general rule, TUJ holds 17-year runs for most titles. Special holdings include a complete microfiche edition of the New York Times from 1851 to the present, and over 500,000 documents from the ERIC document depository for research in education.
The law holdings of the TUJ library have been built both to provide support for the courses offered at the Japan campus and as an introduction to the Japanese and US legal systems. The library attempts to acquire all book materials published in English relating to Japanese law and treatise materials related to our curriculum. When needed for student or faculty research, the TUJ library staff can access the holdings of the Beasley School of Law library in Philadelphia.
The TUJ library general collection provides law students with a full range of materials related to Japanese language and literature, history, psychology, art, religion and business. A video and DVD collection of several thousand feature and documentary films contains several hundred Japanese language films with English subtitles. A multi-cultural bilingual staff of librarians can facilitate interlibrary loans in Japan and provide letters of introduction to other law related libraries in the Tokyo area as well as providing general reference services to visiting students.
Technology
Computer Center
TUJ has two main Computer Centers: one in Azabu Hall and one in Mita Hall. At present, the TUJ campus has the following computer equipment available for student use:
1. Approximately 100 Dell PCs and laptops
2. 13 iMACs and 4 G4 MACs
3. Color Deskjet and Laser printers
4. Full Internet access
5. E-mail service
6. Access to Lexis and Westlaw
The Computer Centers are generally open from 9 am to 8 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am to 6 pm on Saturdays. Hours may be extended towards the end of the semester. There is a charge for printing in the computer lab. If you own a laptop, you may wish to bring it with you. Past students report that this provides added flexibility. TUJ also offers laptop rentals at a cost of 500 yen per day.
Smart Rooms & Wireless Internet
TUJ has several "smart rooms" equipped with laptop plug-ins and wireless Internet connections. When possible, law courses are held in these smart classrooms. Also, wireless Internet access is available in all buildings.
Student Life and Housing
The Students
There is no typical student who attends the Law Program. Many students with an interest in international law come to take international and Asian law courses which are not available at most law schools. Some students want to learn how to establish careers in international law from professors who have global practices. A significant number of students who attend the Law Program have visited or lived in Japan and are returning to learn about Asian law and the Japanese legal community. Other students simply want to take advantage of their final opportunity to live, travel, and study abroad before beginning to practice law in the United States. Whatever the motivation, students who have attended report that it is an extremely valuable experience.
Students may attend the Program in the spring of their second or third year. Although preference is given to Temple law students, there is space available for students from other schools. In 2007, 85 J.D. students from nearly 50 different law schools participated in the Program, including 15 students from Temple.
Visiting Students
Students from other law schools who expect to apply credits completed in Japan toward their home institution's J.D. degree are urged to confirm in advance that the course work will be accepted by their home institutions. The vast majority of ABA-accredited law schools readily accept Temple credits toward their J.D. degree. If any questions or concerns arise about the transfer of credit, Temple will be happy to discuss them with the student or their law school administration. Students who find that their home institution will not accept credits in transfer are welcome to participate, but will not receive credit toward their law degrees.
Students from the following schools have attended Temple's Law Program and applied the credits toward their J.D. degrees.
|
Albany Law School
American University
Benjamin Cardozo School of Law
Boston College Law School
Boston University School of Law
Brigham Young University
Brooklyn Law School
California Western Law School
Capital University
Case Western Reserve Law School
Catholic University Law School
Chicago-Kent University
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
College of William and Mary
Cornell Law School
DePaul University
Detroit College of Law
Drake Law School
Duke University
Emory University
Florida State University
Florida Coastal University
Fordham University
Franklin Pierce
George Washington University Law School
Georgetown University Law Center
Georgia State University
Golden Gate University Law School
Gonzaga University
Hamline University
Howard University
Indiana University - Bloomington
Indiana University - Indianapolis
John Marshall Law School
Kansas University
Lewis & Clark University
Loyola Law School - Los Angeles
Loyola University - Chicago
McGeorge School of Law - UOP
Mercer Law School
New York Law School
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Nova Southeastern Law School
Ohio Northern - Claude Petit
Ohio State University
Pace University
Penn State - Dickinson School of Law
Pepperdine University School of Law
Quinnipiac University Law School
Roger Williams Law School
Rutgers University - Camden
Rutgers University - Newark
Saint Thomas
Samford University
Santa Clara University
Seattle University
Seton Hall University
South Texas Law School
Southern Methodist University
Southwestern Law School
St. John?s University
Suffolk Law School
SUNY Buffalo
Syracuse University |
Temple University School of Law
Texas Tech University
Thomas Cooley
University of Akron
University of Arkansas
University of Arizona
University of Buffalo
University of California - Berkeley
University of California - Davis
University of California - Hastings
University of California - Los Angeles
University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado
University of Connecticut
University of Dayton School of Law
University of Denver College of Law
University of Detroit
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Hawaii
University of Houston
University of Illinois
University of Iowa
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
University of Maine
University of Maryland
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri - Columbia Law
University of New Mexico
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
University of North Dakota Law School
University of Oklahoma
University of Oregon
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Puerto Rico
University of Richmond
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of Southern California
University of Tennessee
University of Texas Law School
University of Tulsa
University of Utah
University of Victoria (Canada)
University of Windsor (Canada)
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Valparaiso University School of Law
Vanderbilt University
Vermont Law School
Villanova Law School
Wake Forest University
Washburn University
Washington University School of Law
Wayne State University
Western New England
Whittier College
Widener University
Willamette University College of Law
William Mitchell School of Law
|
Extracurricular Activities
One of the benefits of spending a full semester abroad is that students have time to really explore Tokyo and the rest of Japan. Some students travel to other Asian countries during spring break or after the Program ends. Several students also remain in Japan for the summer. In addition to a challenging academic experience, each year students participate in many extracurricular activities. Field trips are an integral part of the Law Program and reinforce the international law experience. The Law Program plans visits to:
The Supreme Court of Japan
The Fuchu Prison
To enrich the students' exposure to Tokyo and Japan and enhance their understanding of Japanese culture, TUJ organizes several optional field trips and excursions each semester. These include half-day excursions to sites in and around Tokyo including museums, historical sites, sporting events, and cultural activities.
Part-time Employment in Japan
During their stay in Japan, some students find it rewarding to work in part-time jobs. We recognize that many students who attend the Law Program do so with the hope that it will enhance their future employment opportunities. Many also expect to work while attending the Law Program. Although it is impossible to guarantee that anyone will find a law-related job in Tokyo, the Law Program office does all it can to assist students in securing appropriate employment. J.D. students are not permitted to work more than 20 hours per week by the American Bar Association.
The principal employers are Japanese law firms, American law firms, and corporations. In past years, one-half to two-thirds of the students worked in part-time jobs with law firms and corporations. Other students gained invaluable experience by volunteering at public interest organizations such as Amnesty International or the Japan Civil Liberties Union. University jobs, including faculty research assistant and writing center attendant, may also be available. Students are often concerned about whether their language ability is sufficient to make them employable in Japan. Ultimately, whether and to what degree Japanese language skill is required depends on the needs of the employer, which vary.
Housing
Because student preferences vary and because feedback from past students indicated that they are often successful in finding less expensive housing on their own, TUJ does not provide university housing for law students. For the past three years, we have made arrangements for interested students to stay in temporary housing for the first two weeks of the Program, with the option of remaining there for the duration of the semester. The discounted rate for our students is approximately $50 per night. Most students use that time to secure their own apartments within the program housing budget below. This year, many students were able to secure housing ever before the arrived into Japan.
We provide students with information to assist them in finding their own accommodations. There are several short-term housing options available, especially among the foreign community. Weekly mansions are one option; shared accommodation, either in regular apartments or in so-called "gaijin houses" (housing for foreigners), are another. Living standards in Japan vary widely from those in the U.S. While real estate is expensive and size and space tend to be much smaller for the price than U.S. housing, affordable accommodations can be located within reasonable commuting distance of the University.
Admissions
Applicants must have completed their first year of full-time legal studies or its equivalent and be in good academic and disciplinary standing at an American Bar Association accredited law school. Applications are accepted year-round, up to a year in advance, and are due no later than October 10. The admissions process is selective and admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Students are urged to apply early as the Program consistently fills every year and the Japanese government requires substantial paperwork to be submitted to support a student visa. Visa application materials are due October 15.
Enrollment is limited to 85 J.D. students.
Applicants to Temple's Law Program in Japan must submit:
1. A completed application form.
2. A one-page personal statement.
3.An official law school transcript sealed in an envelope issued by the applicant's law school. (Temple students exempted.)
4. A letter from the applicant's law school that indicates the applicant's good standing. (Temple students exempted.)
5. A $50 non refundable application fee. (Temple students exempted.)
Tuition, Costs and Financial Assistance
Tuition & Fees
The tuition and fees for Spring 2008 Semester are as follows:
Students are billed for tuition and fees prior to departure. Costs are paid in dollars to Temple University in Philadelphia. Students paying full-time tuition may take up to 15 credits. Students taking fewer than 10 credits pay on a per credit basis. Language classes, which do not appear on the student's transcript, may be audited for an additional charge of $350. A $200 non-refundable seat deposit is required by September 1, or within 15 days of admission, and will be applied toward tuition. Tuition is not refundable after the first week of classes.
Personal Expenses
It is very difficult to project an individual's food, travel and personal expenses because personal spending habits vary greatly. Keeping this in mind, we are providing the following estimate, which is intended to be reasonably generous. Please note that these expenses are in lieu of living expenses for a semester in the U.S.
* includes cost of short-term housing arranged through TUJ
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships to defray a portion of the tuition may be available and are awarded based upon need and academic merit. J.D. students attending the Law Program may apply for these scholarships through the Graduate and International Programs Office. In the past, awards have ranged from $500 to $2,000. Temple students are given preference, but many applicants from other institutions also received awards in past years.
Financial Aid
Temple students who are eligible for financial aid will be able to use this aid for the Law Program. Students should apply for aid using the projected budget for the Law Program.
Students from other law schools who are earning credit toward their degrees generally may apply their federal loans to the program costs through a financial aid consortium agreement. Again, it is critical that all applications are received as early as possible in the fall semester. After admission to the Program, students should contact their school's financial aid office, then contact Temple's Financial Aid Office to facilitate the process.
Cancellation
The application fee and seat deposit are nonrefundable. Tuition is nonrefundable after the first week of classes. In the unlikely event the Program is canceled prior to starting, students will receive a full refund of all application fees, deposits, and tuition. The Program may be canceled due to natural disaster, security issues, or in the unlikely event of insufficient enrollment.
Visas
Students are required to obtain a student visa for study at TUJ. Temple University assists students with this process. Detailed instructions on the documentation required by Japanese Immigration officials from students and their parents are sent to all participants with the pre-departure packet. This process can be a lengthy one, so it is important for Program participants to follow the instructions carefully and observe the deadlines for submitting materials.
Access to Facilities for Persons with Disabilities
In general, accommodations for disabled persons are not widely available in Japan. The transit system, which cannot be avoided, has many stairs and few elevators making access difficult for wheelchair users. Visually impaired persons can travel more easily in major Japanese cities than in the U.S. because of a system of textured sidewalks and walkways in the transit system and on major streets. Those with special needs should feel free to consult with the International Programs Office. Every effort will be made to accommodate reasonable requests.
| | |
|
