Course title

Global Business and SDGs

Responsible person
HEIKE Masahiro、YODOGAWA Noriko
to enter grades
Numbering Code

Day・Period, etc. Other(遠隔)

開講区分

単位数

1st semester

1.0

Timetable Slot
Code1J372

Lesson topic
This course covers the latest trends in international trade policies and regulations from three perspectives,
namely human rights, the environment, and economic security. In addition, this course also will explain recent
trends in major countries such as Japan, the United States, and European nations.
These trends have been influenced by various factors including geopolitical interests, diplomatic initiatives,
industrial policy or civil interest, but they all share the common feature of using corporate and economicactivities as “leverage” to achieve objectives in relation to certain initiatives and civil interests. As such,these trends and related regulations have a large impact on corporate activities that, in turn, influence trade.
Further, it is expected that trade rules on human rights, the environment, and economic security will be developedby countries multilaterally, through a plurality (among countries sharing common values), or even unilaterally, andwith the involvement of non-governmental actors.
Accordingly, companies are expected to keep track of these new trends involving human rights, the environment, andeconomic security, not only separately (i.e., understanding specific trends), but also comprehensively (i.e.,understanding how the trends relate to one another and generally impact regulation). As these trends represent
important management issues, companies should react strategically by not only complying with applicable rules basedon accurate information collection and analysis, but also by participating in the formulation of such rules whenpossible and appropriate. It is from this perspective that this course addresses trade policies and regulations
involving human rights, the environment, and economic security.
Lesson target
The goals of this course are to understand the trends in trade policies and regulations involving human rights, theenvironment, and economic security in a systematic manner, and to acquire the ability to follow and understand thelatest trends.

Syllabus and plan
All lectures are delivered online in real time.
In this course, lectures in each session will be given by attorneys of Nishimura & Asahi belonging to tradepractice group, including:-an attorney who engaged in trade negotiations and disputes while working in government agencies such as theMinistry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance;- an attorney who engaged in establishment of legislation on economic security, while working in government
agencies such as the Ministry of Finance;- an attorney who has long been involved in issues of human rights and business in an international organizationand industrial association; and- an attorney who has practical experience working with cutting-edge trade policies and regulations in overseas law
firms and think tanks.
Session 1: Introduction(real-time online classes via Zoom)
Session 2: Business and Human Rights (1)(real-time online classes via Zoom)
Session 3: Business and Human Rights (2)(real-time online classes via Zoom)
Session 4: Environment/Human Rights and Investment(real-time online classes via Zoom)
Session 5: Business and Environment (real-time online classes via Zoom)
Session 6: Business and Economic Security (1)(real-time online classes via Zoom)
Session 7: Business and Economic Security (2)(real-time online classes via Zoom)
Session 8: Digitalization and Conclusion(real-time online classes via Zoom)

Evaluation method
Grading will be based on attendance (50%) and class participation (such as participation in the discussion sectionsof each session) (50%).

Evaluation baseline
Whether you attend classes and accurately understand the lecture topics.

Notice (include info. on related class)
The related courses are International Environmental Law, International Labor Law, and WTO Law.
not mandatory.

However, they are

Review and preparationStudy required before class: for the topics covered in each class, read recent newspaper articles and summarize
related questions.
Study required after class: for the topics covered in class, summarize what you learned in class.
Kobe University requires 45 hours of study from students to award one credit, including both in-class instructions
as well as study outside classes. Students are required to prepare for each class and complete the review after
each class, depending on the respective class goals.

Office hour・Contact information
Please send an email to Masahiro Heike.
Contact details will be notified during the first session of the course.

Message for student
N/AImprovemenets in Teaching
N/A

Text
Plan to share the slides during the class.
Reference Material
Kojiro Fujii, Taku Nemoto, Kazuho Nakajima, Masahiro Heike, "Human Rights, Environment, and Economic Security: NewTrends in International Trade Regulations and Corporate Strategies" Syyojihomu (to be published on March 23,2023)(Japanese)
https://www.shojihomu.co.jp/publication?publicationId=20141121
Classroom Language
EnglishKeywords
A Faculty with Professional Experience