BUSINESSLAWSTUDENTEXCHANGE
PROGRAM
FALL 2020

Contents
Welcome to Tokyo – 1
About Hitotsubashi University – 2
Essential Information – 3
Internship Program – 4
Seminars and Other Events – 4
Exchange Agreements and Admission – 5
Housing Assistance – 5
Location – 5
Academic Calendar – 6
Credits and Course Load – 7
Fall 2020 Schedule – 7
Grading - 8
Course Descriptions – 9
Faculty – 11
Contact Details – 12

“I participated in the Business Law Student Exchange Program in its inaugural year. It
was an extremely fulfilling and enriching experience.
The program offers a comparative and international approach to the study of business
law, complemented by highly interactive classes taught by prominent academics andpractitioners. The program's unique combination of practice and theory was one of
the highlights for me. Throughout the semester, you have the opportunity to enhanceyour learning through an internship and various field trips, all of which provide
invaluable insights into the legal profession in Japan.
I highly recommend this program to those with an interest in an international career oranyone who hopes to gain a truly comparative perspective on business law while living
in one of the most exciting and intriguing cities in the world.”
Stephen McCann
University of SydneyWelcome to Tokyo!
Hitotsubashi University’s
Graduate School of Law,
Business Law Department(“HBL”) has offered a Business
Law Student Exchange Programas part of its Global Business
Law Program since 2014.
The program provides a limited
number of students from law
schools outside Japan with anopportunity to study businesslaw for one semester at HBL in
the heart of Tokyo, Japan, one of
the world’s most dynamic andvibrant capital cities.
In principle, only students fromschools that have entered into
exchange program agreementswith HBL are eligible toparticipate, although
exceptional independent
students may be admitted.
1

東
京
へ
よ
う
こ
そ

About Hitotsubashi University“Hitotsubashi already has a long history of turning out future captains of industry.”(Business Week)
Throughout the history of modern Japan, Hitotsubashi has prepared the individuals who havelead Japan’s economic development. Unique among universities in Japan, Hitotsubashi has
retained its concentrated focus on four schools: Commerce and Management, Law, Economics,
and Social Sciences. For this reason, it is sometimes compared to the London School of
Economics and Political Science.
The University is relatively small among nationally prominent universities in Japan, with about
120 faculty, 4,400 undergraduate students, and 2,000 graduate students, fostering closeinteraction between faculty and students. It is the only Japanese university to specialize insocial sciences, placing special emphasis on combining practice with theory.
The University believes in the value of international academic exchanges and cooperation andhas bilateral exchange agreements with 87 leading universities and research institutions.
The University’s law school is ranked among the top law schools in Japan. Hitotsubashi Law
School has consistently had the highest bar passage rate of any law school in Japan since
introduction of the current bar examination system in 2006.
“The curriculum at Hitotsubashi was most enlightening in exposing students to Japanese legal
practice and culture as a whole. Coupled with field trips to places of legal significance, link-ups
with firms for internships and the international nature of the courses, the exchange programme
was, for me, unforgettable.”

Chun Wai Poon
Singapore Management University

Business Law
Department
Located at Hitotsubashi’s downtown graduate
campus, HBL is a special business law department
within the Graduate School of Law.
HBL’s goal is to develop legal professionals capableof initiating, managing, and implementing legal
innovation on a global scale. Class sizes are small andall students are expected to prepare well andparticipate proactively.
Classes combine practice with theory to provide
valuable graduate-level education to working
professionals. To facilitate participation by working
professionals, who are the majority of HBL students,
classes are taught in the evenings and on week-ends.
2

Essential
InformationThe
one-semester
exchange
program(September-December) offers students theopportunity to study in Tokyo, while also
experiencing various other aspects of life in
one of the world’s major capital cities.
Focus on Business Law.
Classes on Japanese, comparative, andinternational commercial law provide students
with a broad-based introduction to issues
involved in global business law.
No Japanese language is required, although both
Japanese language courses and business law
courses taught in Japanese are available on a
non-credit basis for interested students.
Outstanding Faculty Combine Practice andTheory.
HBL’s regular faculty is comprised of academics
distinguished in their respective fields. Many
also have substantial experience working in the
public or private sectors. Both regular faculty
and practitioner adjuncts teach the courses in theBusiness Law Student Exchange Program.
The class on Legal Practice in Japan gives
students an opportunity to learn about theJapanese legal profession and the practice of law
at leading law firms and corporate legal
departments in Japan.
Diverse and Small Classes.
Each year’s student body is intentionally kept
small, and is generally limited to no more thantwelve students from the outstanding law
schools that are our exchange program partners
in several countries.
Exchange students attend classes together withMaster’s degree students who are living andworking in Japan. Small class sizes enable
intensive in-class interaction and close
relationships between students and faculty.

3

Field Trips.
As part of the Legal Practice in Japancourse, group visits are arranged to placesof interest related to law and business.
Whenever possible, these field trips arearranged for Tuesday afternoons, althoughstudents are expected to keep theirschedules flexible while arrangements are
pending.
Possible field trips include
•
•
•
•
•

National Diet of Japan
Supreme Court
Tokyo Stock Exchange
Japan Patent Office
Japan Federation of Bar
Associations“Although I thought that I
understood the Japanese legal
system and culture well enough todiscuss it with students from foreigncountries, I found the reality was so
different. Being in class withstudents from other backgrounds
and with different perspectives wasaninterestingandusefulopportunity
for
me
to
“internationalize” my perspective
and my communication style.”

Yasushi Shinozaki, HBL Masters
student in Global Business Law

Class of 2019 at the Supreme Court of Japan

Internship Provides Real World Experience
A part-time unpaid internship at a leading law firm or corporation in Tokyo will be arranged foreach student registering for the Legal Practice in Japan course. The internship provides
practical experience of the Japanese legal environment, making it a critical component of the“hands-on” approach of our program and the Tokyo experience. It is nearly always the casethat each exchange student obtains an internship in his or her top choice of category: Japanese
law firm, foreign law firm, or corporate legal department.
“Hitotsubashi’s exchange program was a great break from the usual studying and examinationstyle back in Singapore. Instead of written exams, we had to write papers and give presentations
on topics of our choice. As someone who learns better and more intuitively when learning about
topics I'm personally interested in, this allowed me to gain a greater understanding of thesubjects covered in class but on my own terms. It might seem daunting to have to write so many
papers but rest assured that you'll be able to handle it - we all did, and still had a great time.
The field trips were well-thought out and provided a greater understanding of different aspectsof Japan's corporate/ legal systems. The destinations were places we wouldn't havebeen able to visit if the school didn't plan for them.”
Emelia Kwa
Singapore Management University“I greatly enjoyed my experiencein Hitotsubashi’s business law
program. The courses were wellcurated and my classmates were
smart and diverse, representing thelegal systems of at least seven different
countries. Listening to and engaging
with these global perspectives in classdiscussions focused on international
business law topics was, for me, a truly
invaluable and unique experience.”
Justin Sha
UC Hastings College of Law“The program was outstandingly well organized
to give students a great opportunity to learn
more about Japanese law, also in comparison
with other jurisdictions, from both a theoreticaland practical point of view. In particular, theinternship gave me the unique opportunity toobserve the work of Japanese attorneys in myfield of interest. I strongly recommend thisprogram to anyone who is interested in Japanese
law and the Japanese culture. It was an
unforgettable experience for me!”Svenja Schenck
Goethe University Frankfurt
4

Exchange Agreements and Admission of Students
Law schools that enter into agreements with HBL can pre-select and nominate up to two
students for admission to the Business Law Student Exchange Program. Those nominations
will ordinarily be honored so long as the necessary documentation is received by March 31.
To date, HBL has entered into student exchange programs with the Columbia University
School of Law, University of California-Hastings College of Law, University of Frankfurt(Goethe University), Melbourne Law School, and Singapore Management University.
Students are expected to be self-funded or supported by scholarships from their homecountries/schools. No financial assistance is available via HBL. The Business Law Student
Exchange Program can accept a limited number of highly qualified independent students into
its on a space available basis.

Housing
Finding short-term housing in Tokyo can be challenging and expensive. Past students havefound suitable accommodation either on their own or with the support of HBL. A limited
number of dormitory rooms near Hitotsubashi’s suburban campus in Kunitachi (about one hourby train from the downtown campus) are available and many students pursue that option, which
provides yet another element of Japanese university life and the Tokyo lifestyle.

Campus Location

5

Academic Calendar
Students are expected to arrive in Tokyo at the beginning of September. Following orientation,
the 13-week semester begins in early September and concludes in mid-December, allowing
students to return home before the year-end holiday season. Below is the tentative calendar(subject to change):
Date
September 7 - 9 (Mon - Wed)
September 10 (Thu)
September 11 (Fri)
September 14 (Mon)
September 21 (Mon)
September 22 (Tues)
November 3 (Tues)
November 23 (Mon)
December 16 (Tues)
December 17 (Weds)
December 22 (Fri)

Details
Dormitory Orientation for HBL Exchange Students(participation mandatory for dormitory residents)
Program Orientation, Welcome Lunch, Visit to Disaster
Preparedness Center (participation mandatory)
Group Sightseeing Activity (optional)First Day of Classes
National Holiday (no classes)
National Holiday (no classes)
National Holiday (regular classes are held)
National Holiday (regular classes are held)
Last Day of Classes
Final Class Party
Term Papers Due (unless earlier date set by instructor)

Outside Events
Some professors arrange opportunities to participate in outside seminars as part of their course
content. Usually these are included in the original course syllabus, although sometimes they
are added later. Students are expected to be flexible with their schedules and prioritize theseopportunities.
When possible, students are informed of outside presentations on current issues of import to
the Tokyo legal community. Joining these events provides students with the opportunity to
network with Japanese and foreign lawyers as well as to gain cutting-edge legal practice tips.

“The Hitotsubashi business law program is avery well-arranged combination of theory,
discussion with students from different
jurisdictions, and practical insights. In addition
to professional enrichment, this exchange
program gives the possibility to get to know
people from all around the world, who sharethe common interest in the culture and law
system of Japan. Especially the internships inTokyo law firms offer outstanding first-handexperience. Participating in this program wasa truly unique and unforgettable experience forme.”
Hans Trageser
Goethe University Frankfurt

6

Credits and Course Load
A typical course load is six 2-credit subjects, providing students with 12 transferable credits.
Classroom hours and instruction are normally sufficient for exchange students to obtain credit
toward graduation from their home institutions, however the transfer of credits to homeinstitutions is always subject to the policies and procedures of each institution.

Fall 2020 Schedule (tentative/subject to change)
TIME

MON

TUE

WED

13:30
|
16:00

Most field trips will bescheduled during this
time.

16:00
|
17:45

Legal Practice inJapan(Credits: 2)(Beyer)

18:20
|
20:05

Comparative
Employment Law(Credits: 2)(Beyer/Nakakubo)International Dispute
Resolution(Credits:2)(Greer/Nonaka)

20:15
|
22:00

International
Privacy Law(Credits: 2)(FitzGerald)

International
Entertainment Law(Credits:2)(Rosen)Intro to JapaneseBusiness Law(Credits: 2)(Beyer)THU

Start-up Law andPractice: The Silicon
Valley Model(Credits: 2)(Sasaki)Corporate Law:
Mergers andAcquisitions(Credits:2)(Murdock/Yukevich)Class of 2018 at the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (Nichibenren)7

Grading
Although assessment criteria are at thediscretion of individual instructors,
grading at HBL typically focuses on threeelements: class participation, a research
paper and class presentation of research-graded in roughly equal proportion--rather
than on a single final exam.
This grading method is particularly suited
to learning through a combination of inclass interactions, in-depth research, andanalytical writing.

“It was enlightening to be in aclassroom with students from so many
countries.
Even though we werestudying Japanese business law,everyone did so in the context of theother country’s law that they knew
(such as Germany or Singapore), as
well as the style of legal interpretationcommon to their jurisdiction. This
diversity in the classroom helped me tounderstand multiple points of view andhow people see and interpret things
differently based on experience, culture,etc. Since we all want to do businessworldwide, this was a precious
opportunity. I feel more connected to
the world from studying this way.”

Full Year of Study
HBL also offers a full load of graduate levelglobal business law subjects in English
during the spring semester. This creates thepossibility of a full year of study at HBL toearn a double degree if allowed under theterms of an exchange agreement orotherwise approved. Please note that theBusiness Law Student Exchange Program isonly offered during the SeptemberDecember semester; we are unable to accept
students for a single semester of study
during the April-July semester.

Ryoko Ishino, HBL Masters student
in Global Business Law“The Hitotsubashi exchange gave me a unique chance to understand so much more than theblack letter framework of Japan’s legal system. I was immersed in the socio-cultural context ofthe law and had the opportunity to compare Japanese law and business practices to othercountries. I also really enjoyed the opportunity to undertake an internship with a law firm inTokyo, which provided an amazing window into the working life of Japanese and foreign
lawyers. If you are keen on a Japanese legal career, or if you would like to bring legal insights
back to your home country, the Hitotsubashi exchange is the perfect way to experience life andthe law in Japan.”

Alice Kennedy
Melbourne Law School

8

Course Descriptions
In most semesters, 6 to 8 subjects are taught in English. Exchange students who require morethan 14 transferable credits should consult the Program Director to find a suitable solution.
Students interested in auditing business law courses taught in Japanese or attending Japanese
language classes should inquire separately.
Comparative Labor/Employment Law
Instructor(s): Beyer/Nakakubo

Credits: 2

This course examines the fundamentals of employment law, comparing primarily Japan and the
U.S., with other jurisdictions informing the comparison from time to time. Beginning with an
overview of the employment systems of Japan and the U.S., the course goes on to makespecific comparisons of a number of aspects of labor and employment law.
Corporate Law: Mergers and Acquisitions
Instructor(s): Murdock/Yukevich

Credits: 2

This course introduces students to key legal aspects of mergers and acquisitions transactions
between Japanese companies and foreign companies. We will look mainly at cross-borderacquisitions of non-listed targets by Japanese companies (outbound), with some coverage ofsales of or divestitures by Japanese companies to foreign buyers (inbound), and acquisitions ofpublicly-listed foreign companies. The course will have a practical orientation, with focus on
how deals are actually negotiated and closed, and difficult issues resolved.
International Dispute Resolution
Instructor(s): Greer/Nonaka

Credits: 2

This course will focus on selected topics in dispute resolution involving Japan and Asia,
including the interpretation and drafting of contract provisions, dispute resolution procedures
both within and outside Japan, and negotiation, litigation, and international commercial
arbitration as means of resolving disputes. There will be a focus on real world case studies
involving dispute resolution between Japanese and non-Japanese parties.
International Entertainment Law
Instructor(s): Rosen

Credits: 2

This course will focus on the application of legal matters, such as contracts, torts, copyrightand trademark, to the entertainment industry. A central concern of the course will be separating
the artistic entity from the legal entity. The course will compare practices in the United Stateswith those of the Japan and other countries, and consider whether a “global standard” exists inthe world-wide entertainment market.
Introduction to Japanese Business Law
Instructor(s): Beyer

Credits: 2

To help equip students for transnational work involving Japan, this course will introduce theJapanese legal system, specific areas of law relating to business in Japan, and contemporary
business issues.

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Course Descriptions (continued)
Legal Practice in Japan
Instructor(s): Beyer

Credits: 2

This course will introduce students to legal
practice in Japan through backgroundreadings and through guest lectures by anumber of Japanese legal practitioners,
such as practicing lawyers and members ofcorporate legal departments. This course
is a prerequisite for students who wish toundertake an internship at a law firm or
corporation in Japan.
Special Topics: International Privacy Law
Instructor(s): FitzGerald

Credits: 2

This course will provide students with an overview of privacy law and data protection
principles, how nations interpret these principles, and the practical application of comparative
privacy and data protection law in modern business. Students will develop an understanding ofprivacy law through examination of laws of Asian, European and North American nations, andgain an appreciation of how global privacy law and data protection continues to evolve.
Special Topics: Law for Start-ups
Instructor(s): Sasaki

Credits: 2

The so called “Silicon Valley Model” has become the global standard start-up model. This
course will provide students with an overview of the principles of the Silicon Valley Model, thelaws on which it is based, and the practice of those laws. We will discuss specific issues
relevant to start-ups, such as allocation of founders’ possessive stock, convertible debt andequity financings, venture capital financing, and exit transactions. We will also examine how
the legal issues faced by startups are different than those of more mature businesses.
Directed ResearchInstructor(s): HBL Faculty

Credits: 2

A student who wishes to conduct research in English on a topic of Japanese or Asian law thatis not covered by existing English course offerings may do so upon securing the agreement ofan ICS faculty member to act as adviser to such independent research. In such case thestudent, in consultation with the faculty adviser, shall create a reading list on the topic andshall produce a written report to be submitted to the faculty adviser for evaluation andgrading.
“My semester at Hitotsubashi was a wonderful experience both academically and personally.
The courses were taught by outstanding teachers who were able to make difficult subjects
interesting and easy to understand. The subjects of these classes fit perfectly into mycurriculum at my home university and gave me a new outlook on legal issues.”
Lea Leyrer
Goethe University Frankfurt

10Faculty
Professors
Vicki L. Beyer, Director, Business Law Student Exchange Program/Director, Global Business Law Program
Comparative employment law/Comparative corporate governance
University of Nebraska at Omaha (BA, 1980); University of Washington (MA, 1987); University ofWashington School of Law (JD, 1990); Bond University (LLM, 1994)
Formerly Asst. Professor of Law at Bond University (1990-1994); Program Director and Assoc. Professor of
Law at Temple University Law School Program in Japan (1994-2000); In-house lawyer (2000-2017).
Yuriko InoueIntellectual property law
University of Tokyo (BA, 1986), University of Tokyo (LLB, 1990)
Visiting Professor at the Institute of Information, Amsterdam University (2006, 2007-2008).
Hiroya Nakakubo
Labor and employment law
University of Tokyo (LLB, 1980); Harvard Law School (LLM, 1990)
Visiting Scholar at University of Pennsylvania Law School (1989-1990), University of Washington Law
School (1997), Cornell Law School (2010, and University of Glasgow (2013), and Visiting Professor at
Goethe University Frankfurt (1999).
Chihiro Nunoi, Director, Global Business Law Program
Comparative corporate law
Hitotsubashi University (LLB, 1979); Hitotsubashi University (MA, 1981)
Visiting Scholar at Bonn University (1986-1987) and Munich University (1993-1994) in Germany.
Zenichi Shishido
Comparative corporate governance
University of Tokyo (LLB, 1980); University of Tokyo (PhD, 2007)
Visiting Professor at Columbia Law School (1998-1999), Harvard Law School (2005). Visiting Professor at
UC Berkeley (Boalt Hall) on an ongoing basis.
Masao Yoshimura
Taxation law
University of Tokyo (LLB, 1999)
Formerly taught at Yokohama National University (2002-2012).
Kei Amemiya (Professor from Practice —partner at Morrison and Foerster)Competition Law
Chuo University (LL.B. 1989); University of Michigan (LL.M. 1998).
Masakazu Iwakura (Professor from Practice—senior partner at Nishimura & Asahi)
Mergers & Acquisitions
University of Tokyo (LLB, 1985); Harvard Law School (LLM, 1993)
Visiting Professor at Harvard Law School (2007, 2013).

Associate Professor
Keisuke Seki

Patent law and policy
Tokyo University of Science (BPharm, 2004); University of Tokyo (MSc, 2006); University of New
Hampshire School of Law (LL.M., 2014), Japan Patent Office (2006-2019).

For full profiles of HBL faculty, please refer to the HBL website at
http://www.law.hit-u.ac.jp/bl/english/#anchor_faculty.
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Adjunct Professors and Guest Lecturers•

Pieter S. de Ganon (Morrison & Foerster) – Legal Aspects of IP Strategy•

Evan M. FitzGerald (U.N. University) – Legal English, International Privacy Law•

Joel Greer (ZeLo Law Firm) – International Dispute Resolution•

Wataru Higuchi (Anderson Mori & Tomotsune) – Current Issues in Financial Regulation•

John Inge (Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe) – Legal Aspects of IP Strategy•

Arshad Karim (Twitter) – International Contract Drafting•Peter Kilner (Clifford Chance) – International Contract Drafting•

Joel Lee (Automation Anywhere) – International Contract Drafting•

Uwani Martin (Natixis Japan Securities Co., Ltd.) – Japanese Securities Law•

Mitsuo Matsushita (Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu) – Comparative Competition Law•

Mork Murdock (Squire Patton Boggs) – Mergers and Acquisitions•

Takahiro Nonaka (DLA Piper) – International Dispute Resolution•

Dan Rosen (Chuo University) – International Entertainment Law; American Business Law•

Yuriko Sagara (Nakamura Law & Patent Office) – Legal Aspects of IP Strategy•

John Y. Sasaki (JSV Foreign Law Office) – Law for Start-Ups•

Jeff Shimamoto (U-NEXT Co., Ltd.) – International Contract Drafting•

Allan Smith (RGA Reinsurance Co.) – International Competition Law•

Yoshihiro Takatori (Orrick) – International Competition Law•

Stan Yukevich (Morrison & Foerster) - Mergers and Acquisitions

For information on the Business Law Student Exchange Program, contact:
Professor Vicki L. Beyer
Program Director
Hitotsubashi University
Graduate School of Law
Business Law Department
2-1-2 Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 101-8439 JAPAN
Tel. +81-3-4212-3140
Fax +81-3-4212-3149
E-mail: vicki.beyer@r.hit-u.ac.jp12