Bilingual LL.M. Program 2025-2026

OVERVIEW

概要

The Bilingual Master´s (LL.M.) degree program in Law (BiP) oﬀers students the unique opportunity to engage
in graduate level study of law in a “bilingual” environment at a law faculty in Japan. The program is designed

LL.M. バイリンガル・プログラム（BiP プログラム）は、日英二ヶ国語によって大学院レベルの法学研究に取for students who already have a solid foundation in the Japanese language, but wish to improve their Japanese

り組める、他にはみられない機会を提供する。

language ability whilst at the same time engaging in classroom study and supervised research across a widerange of subjects in the ﬁelds of law and political science.

このプログラムでは、法学および政治学の分野において、広範囲に渡る主題に関するクラスルーム学習と指導教員の下での研究に取り組むほか、既に日本語の基礎力を身につけているがその日本語能力の一層の向上

BiP is principally intended for lawyers and/or Japanologists interested in:- Obtaining a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and society through the study of historical orを目指す学生には最適のプログラムである。
BiP プログラムは、主に次の点に興味がある法律家や日本学専攻者を対象とする。

contemporary issues in Japanese law & politics.
- Preparing for a legal career in Japan or connected to Japan by studying Japanese and international- 日本の法学・政治学における歴史的・現代的諸問題の研究を通して、日本文化や社会についてのbusiness law.

より深い理解を得ること。

- Learning more about Japan´s East Asian neighbours and locating Japan in the regional context.

- 日本の取引法や国際取引法などを学ぶことにより、日本との繋がりや、日本でのリーガルキャリ- Improving Japanese language ability by studying law in Japanese, as well as attending regular

アを積む準備をすること。

language courses.

- 東アジアの近隣諸国に関する知識を深め、地域的背景に日本を位置づけること。
- 日本語で法学を学び、また日本語コースに出席することによって、専門性の高い日本語能力を上達

Please note BiP requires a high level of Japanese. Please check the following URL (Section 8 FAQ) for further information:

させること。

http://www.law.kyushu-u.ac.jp/programsinenglish/html/programs-admissions/academic-programs/bip-ll-m/

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BiP KEY POINTS

BiPプログラムのキーポイント

Flexible curriculum comprising courses taught in Japanese and English

日本語および英語で行われる講義科目から構成される柔軟なカリキュラム
学生は学習課程において20単位（1年/2学期制、学期毎に約5つの講義科目）を取得す

All students are expected to complete a 20-credit coursework requirement (approximately 5る必要がある。受講科目は、日本語又は英語で行われている法学部の豊富なカリキュラ

semester length courses over one year/two semesters). Courses may be chosen from a wide

ムから選択することができる。

selection oﬀered by the Faculty of Law in both Japanese and English.

講義科目一覧は、次の URL から閲覧できる。

A full list of courses is available at:

日本語による講義科目：https://www.law.kyushu-u.ac.jp/graduate/study/

Courses in Japanese: https://www.law.kyushu-u.ac.jp/graduate/study/
Courses in English: https://www.law.kyushu-u.ac.jp/programsinenglish/html/programs-

英語による講義科目：https://www.law.kyushu-u.ac.jp/programsinenglish/html/

admissions/courses/

programs-admissions/courses/

Master's thesis written in Japanese or English
In addition to coursework, all BiP students are also expected to complete a 50 pages Master's
thesis under the supervision of two faculty members. The thesis may be on any topic within theﬁelds of law, and written in English or Japanese. Students are also expected to complete a 20
pages summary of the thesis in the other language. As part of the thesis requirement, all BiP
students are expected to participate in an undergraduate seminar class connected to the thesis
topic. This class is taught entirely in Japanese.
Japanese language courses for all ability levels, as well as other languages
Kyushu University's International Student Center oﬀers an extensive selection of Japanese
language courses that are available at no extra cost to all BiP Students.
For more information, see: http://www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/center/f/japanese.html
Faculty of Languages and Cultures also oﬀers classes.
For more information, see: http://www.ﬂc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/cms4
Biannual admissions and option to extend period of study from 12 months to 18 or 24 months
BiP is taught on a full time basis and takes a minimum of 12 months for completion. Students areadmitted in April and October every year. Students have an option to extend the period of study
for an additional 6 or 12 months (one or two semesters).

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九州大学法学院のBiPプログラムのお陰で、英語と日本語の双方を通して、国際法を学べるすばらしい機会を得ました。L.L.Mコースの授業は、さまざまな法律のトピックが含まれています。BiPプログラ
ムの学生たちはL.L.Mコースの授業から選べるだけではなく、日本語で行われる法学部と法学府の授業からも選べます。私は、法学部と法学府の授業によって、日本の法律の理解を深めることができ、さらに、日本語能力も高めることもできました。またBiPプログラムは、課程外の活動も豊かです。たとえば、日本の国際法律事務所ある い は 、政 府 機 関 にインターンシップをするチャンスも提 供されています。要するに、BiPプログラ
ムは、国際法と日本文化、社会に関して、興味を持っている人にはとても良いプログラムです。
Huo Shuyi / フオ・シューイー(BiP 2011, Kyushu University,Faculty of Law)

日本語又は英語で執筆する修士論文
全てのBiPプログラム学生は、20単位分の講義科目の履修に加え、2名の指導教員の指導の下に、50ページの修士論文を執筆しなければならない。修士論文は、英語又は日本語で執筆し、法学の分野に関連するならばテーマ選択は自由にできる。これと並んで、修士論文で用いた言語とは異なるもう一方の言語によって20ページの要旨を執筆しなければならない。修士論文の要件を満たすために、論文のテーマに即した学部ゼミに参加しなければならない。そのゼミは完全に日本語で行われる。
レベルに応じた日本語講座、及びその他の言語
九州大学留学生センターは、BiPプログラム学生には追加料金なしで、幅広いさまざまな日本語講座を提供している。

詳細は次のホームページの通り。http://www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/center/f/japanese.html
また、九州大学大学院言語文化研究院もさまざまな言語学講座を提供している。
詳細は次のホームページの通り。 http://www.ﬂc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/cms4

年2回の入学選考、および12ヶ月間から18又は24ヶ月間への研究期間延期の選択肢
BiPプログラムはフルタイムの課程の基に構成され、12ヶ月間で修了することを基本とする。入学時期は毎年4月および10月の2回。教員会議の議を経て、研究期間を6ヶ月又は12ヶ月間（1又は2学期間）延長することも可能である。

『たった一年間で日本語、英語と法律の知識を確実に深めることができる。』 これが、九州大学のバイリンガル・プログラム（BiP）の特徴で、世界中で九州大学でしかできないことだと信じている。このプログラムでは日本の企業や法律事務所でインターンシップをするチャンスもあるため、九大に来なければ経験できないことはたくさんあり、僅か一年間で学力の面でも精神的な面でも成長することは確かである。
BiPプログラムの学生は、LLMコースの学生と日本人の法学部生の架け橋として学生生活を楽しめる。
そのため、帰国するまでに日本人に限らず世界各国の友達を作ることができ、そして普段は簡単に逢えな い人物とも知り合 い に な れる。もちろん学生生活を楽しむかたわら日本の美しい観光地を観光客として訪ねる時間も充分あるので、日本をたっぷり味わうことができる。
私はこの一年間を振り返るとき、いつも「普通なら三年くらいかかる勉強を一年間で勉強できてラッキーだった」と感じる。この一年で作った友達とは近い将来今度は仕事で逢うことになり、生涯を通しての大切な友人になると信じている。
Tom Dhaene / トム・ダン(BiP 2011, Kyushu University,Faculty of Law)

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WHY FUKUOKA?
WHY KYUSHU UNIVERSITY?
Located in the heart of East Asia, midway between Tokyo, Shanghai andSeoul, Fukuoka is the largest city in Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's fourmain islands. It is a thriving modern metropolis that has not sacriﬁced its
unique local character and charm. Historically known as Hakata, it has long
been one of Japan's key ports for commerce with the rest of Asia, and today thespirit of Hakata lives on, for the growing continental ties of recent years haveenabled the city to establish itself as a major regional center.
In 2006, Newsweek named Fukuoka as one of the “Ten Most Dynamic Cities”
in the world, identifying an energetic regional economy, excellent
infrastructure, and the proximity and openness to Asia as key features behind
its continued growth. In 2017, Monocle magazine reported a survey of world
cities that ranked Fukuoka as the 14th most livable city in the world. Finally,
Nomura Research Institute ranked Fukuoka second amongst 100 Japanesecities in 2017.
Kyushu University is the largest university in Kyushu and one of the mostprestigious national universities in Japan. Founded in 1911 as one of seven
original Imperial Universities, it continues to be a focal point for academic andeducational excellence. Graduate study in Kyushu University provides
well-motivated students with the opportunity to study in a dynamic academic
atmosphere and to enjoy life in one of Japan's fastest growing cities.
And yet, perhaps the most important feature of Fukuoka for the foreign
resident is its people. Known throughout Japan for their friendliness, thepeople of Fukuoka have long enjoyed good relationships with visitors fromabroad. For the foreigners living among Fukuoka's 1.6 million residents, life isboth comfortable and stimulating.

TUITION
For the academic year 2025-2026, tuition fees total around ¥900,000. The ﬁnal
amount for 2025-26 is available upon request after it is conﬁrmed in Jan. 2025.

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FACULTY
The Faculty of Law has a large and diverse faculty, with wide ranging research interests in all major ﬁelds of law andAssociate Professor KAWASAKI Kunihiro

political science. Moreover, faculty members have a wide range of experience in business, the legal profession, government

LL.M. (University of Chicago), J.D. (University of Tokyo), specializing in Corporate Law, Commercial Law andservice, international organizations, as well as academia. The following is an indicative list of faculty involved in BiP. A

Securities Regulation.

full list is available at: https://www.law.kyushu-u.ac.jp/general/staff/
Professor VAN UYTSEL Steven (Director of International Programs)
LL.B. (Antwerp University), LL.M. & LL.D. (Kyushu University), specializing in Competition Law, Product Liability &Natural Resources Law.
Professor FENWICK Mark
LL.B. (University of London), M.Phil. & Ph.D. (University of Cambridge), specializing in Corporate Crime andAssociate Professor NARIHARA Satoshi
B.A. (Waseda University), M.S.I. (University of Tokyo), specializing in Information Law.
Associate Professor NISHIMURA Tomoumi
LL.B. & LL.M. (Chuo University), specializing in Philosophy of Law and Legsl Informatics
Associate Professor YATSUNAMI Ren

Transnational Business Law.

LL.B., LL.M. & LL.D. (Kyushu University), specializing in Private International Law and International Business Law.

Professor HAN Sang Hee

Assistant Professor LEE Peter

B.A. & LL.M. (Korea University), LL.D. (Keio University), Ph.D. (Beijing University), specializing in International Law andLL.B. (Pusan University), LL.M. & LL.D. (Kyushu University), specializing in Transport Law, Maritime Law and E-Politics.

Commerce Law

Professor IGIMI Mariko

Assistant Professor LI Xiaorong

LL.B., LL.M. & LL.D. (Kyushu University), specializing in Roman Law.
Professor IRIE Hideaki
BA (University of Tokyo), MS (University of Tokyo), MA (Hosei University), Ph.D. (University of Tokyo), specializing inConﬂict Management.
Professor KOJIMA RyuLL.B. (University of Tokyo), LL.M. (Harvard University), specializing in Intellectual Property, Cultural Policy and the Law
Professor TERAMOTO Shinto

LL.M. & LL.D. (Peking University), specializing in basic theories of international tax law and international tax
dispute resolution mechanisms.

Emeritus Faculty
Emerirus Professor AKASHI Kinji
LL.B. & LL.M. (Keio University), Ph.D. (Utrecht University), specializing in Basic Theories of International Law andHistory of International Law.

LL.B. (University of Tokyo), specializing in Intellectual Property Law.

Emeritus Professor KONO Toshiyuki

Professor TOKUMOTO Minoru

Culture.

LL.B., LL.M. & LL.D. (Kyushu University), LL.M. (Yale Law School), specializing in Commercial Law, Corporate Law &Business Law.

LL.B. & LL.M. (Kyoto University), specializing in Private International Law and Civil Litigation, and Law&Emeritus Professor PEJOVIC Caslav
LL.B. (University of Montenegro), LL.M. (Belgrade University), LL.M. (Kyoto University), Ph.D. (Zagreb University),
specializing in Maritime Law, International Business Law & E-Commerce.

89CAMPUS, FACILITIES AND SERVICESAPPLICATION INFORMATION

CampusWhen to Apply

The Graduate School of Law moved from its traditional location in Hakozaki to the campus of Kyushu University in Ito

Students may enroll on BiP in April 2025, October 2025 or April 2026.

in the summer of 2018. Further details on the new campus are available here:
http://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/campus/ito

For April 2025 admissions, the deadline for applications is November 1, 2024.
For October 2025 admissions, the deadline for applications is May 7, 2025.

LibraryFor April 2026 admissions, the deadline for applications is November 4, 2025.

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

Requirements for Admission

research resource for all graduate students.

For admission to BiP, students must have or expect to have by the time of enrolment:

Technology(1) An undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in either Law OR Japanese/East Asian Studies.

Kyushu University provides wireless access throughout the campus. International students enrolled on a program at the(2) A good command of oral, written and reading Japanese. Although there is no formal Japanese language requirement, anGraduate School of Law are given access to the LL.M. Study Room, which contains a number of computers and network

interview will be conducted with all candidates to ensure that students have the ability to fully participate in courses taught inhubs for laptops. Students are also given access to an extensive selection of on-line databases containing both English andJapanese. In addition, students will be obliged to submit a personal statement written in Japanese as part of the application

Japanese materials, including LEXIS/NEXIS & WESTLAW.

process.
(3) A good command of English. A TOEFL score of 79+ (internet-based) or equivalent is required for non-native English

Health Carespeakers.

All international students are obliged to join a national health insurance scheme. For a nominal monthly charge, 70% of(4) Suﬃcient ﬁnancial support for the duration of the program.

health costs are covered by insurance. Students are free to choose their health care provider.
Application Form
Student Supporters

Application forms and guidelines are available from the Admission Oﬃce of the Bilingual Program or may be downloaded from:

All international students enrolled on a course at the Graduate School of Law will be provided with a Supporter to assist

http://www.law.kyushu-u.ac.jp/programsinenglish/html/programs-admissions/academic-programs/bip-ll-m/with various practical matters upon arriving in Japan.
Please write to the following address to request hard copies of the necessary application materials:
Kyushu University International Affairs Department

Admissions Oﬃce of the Bilingual Program

International Affairs Department, Kyushu University is responsible for providing a range of services forFaculty of Law, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku,

supporting incoming students and researchers from overseas.

Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan, Fax: 81 [Japan]- 92-802-5407
E-mail: admission@law.kyushu-u.ac.jp

The International Affairs Department web page can be found at: https://www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/intlweb/en/
Interview
Housing

Candidates will be interviewed either by Zoom or in person within 6 weeks of the relevant

Kyushu University oﬀers a number of housing options. Further information is available from:application deadline.

supportcenter-est@jimu.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Further information on the program is available upon request from: admission@law.kyushu-u.ac.jp

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