KIMAP Internship Report / KIMAP インターンシップ報告書
No. 2024-01
I. Basic information / 基本情報
1) Name / 名前： RUIQI LI
2) Enrolled year / 入学年： 2023
3) Period of internship / インターン期間：15th March 2024-12th April 4, 2024
4) Place of internship / インターン場所：One Asia Lawyer （SG）
5) Person who accepted your internship / インターン受入担当者：Mr. Tetsuo Kurita
6) Content of work in your internship / インターン中の作業内容：
Translation and verification of Japanese-Chinese contracts； Drafting of newsletter on Singapore
immigration policies； Drafting of newsletter on Greater Bay Area policies；Fact-checking；Learning to read termination contracts…
II. Details and impressions / 詳細と感想
Including the following points: merits, demerits, lessons, contribution to your future career, personal
experience etc.
Work in Singapore

This is my first time working in a law firm, and this experience has fulfilled my curiosity about thereality of life as a lawyer, which raised a question: Will it suit me? As one of the KIMAP students, I
am eager to work abroad. Thus, the intern opportunities offer a great chance to evaluate if a country
fits my future career. With this valuable experience at One Asia Lawyer in Singapore, I seem to havefound my future path.
Firstly, One Asia Lawyer is a medium-sized law firm situated in the heart of Singapore. The teamcomprises lawyers from various countries: Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Korea. This diversity
exposes me to different perspectives, not only on Singaporean law but also on matters concerning
Japan, mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. As a Chinese student, I found plenty of opportunities1within the firm. For instance, I reviewed contracts in both Japanese and Chinese, conduct research onChinese government data marketing policies using my language skills, and utilize my Japanese andEnglish abilities to study and verify contracts.
Having previously worked in a large Japanese company where punctuality and clocking in and out
were mandatory, I found there was more flexibility here. Some lawyers also have experience working
in China. I've encountered a Japanese colleague who attended the same undergraduate university as
me. Despite the variable work hours in the legal profession, everyone is dedicated and hardworking,often putting in extra effort even when not physically present in the office. The location is near La Ba
Sha and is very convenient for commuting, with easy
access to public transportation. I took the MRT towork every day, and there are numerous coffee shopsnearby.
The staff and lawyers at OAL were friendly andwelcoming. We shared meals together on the first andlast days of my internship, and every second Friday of the month, they host a birthday party for thoseborn that month. This provides a great opportunity for cross-departmental interaction and networking.

*image: lunch of first day and last day, and the birthday part2During the party, I had a meaningful conversation with a lawyer from Korea who specializes inmediation. She emphasized that Singapore is exceptionally welcoming to foreign lawyers, withnumerous opportunities available from Korean, Japanese, and local companies. Compared to litigation,
she finds mediation to be more relaxed. Additionally, she shared insights into the lengthy preparation
process required for real cases, dispelling the dramatized portrayal of law firm life. As a female lawyer,
she highlighted Singapore's supportive environment for women in the workforce, noting that she wasable to return to work shortly after having a baby. This discussion with a foreign female lawyer
provided me with valuable perspectives on Singapore and boosted my confidence, affirming the ideaof pursuing a career there.
The kindness of the law firm staff, as well as the building's security personnel, left a positive impression
on me. Though we may not have engaged in lengthy conversations, the friendly greetings exchangedin the morning and farewells in the evening, accompanied by warm smiles, conveyed a sense of careand camaraderie. The genuine smiles of Singaporeans serve as a daily reminder that every day is agood day.
Life in Singapore

The city is remarkably beautiful and modern. The subway, like in Japan, operates punctually.
However, when taking the bus, you need to signal the driver by waving your hand; otherwise, they
may assume you don't intend to board, and the bus will proceed without stopping. Naturally, I visitedthe famous tourist attractions during my stay.

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*Image of famous places of Singapore.
Because Singapore is a melting pot of cultures, including Chinese, Malay, Indonesian, and Indian, I
had the opportunity to try various types of cuisine during my internship. Additionally, I experienced
Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, while I was there. This provided me with the chance to sample
many Muslim dishes that are rare in Japan. One memorable experience was visiting a bustling Muslim
market, where I encountered people from diverse backgrounds, including Muslims, tourists, and local
Chinese Singaporeans. During my visit, I evenwitnessed an interview being conducted withthe Minister of Education of the Singaporean
government. I also noticed many people
ordering food but refraining from eating*image: the wall near the Muslims market

immediately. Before coming to Singapore, my market Singaporean friend explained that, due toRamadan regulations, Muslims only eat after sunset during this period. This unique experience taught
me a great deal, and I am grateful to my friend Crystal, who was an exchange student at Kobe4

University during the spring semester of 2023, for enriching my time in Singapore.

*Image of the Muslim market
Conclusion:

During my time at the law firm in Singapore, I learned a great deal, which gave me a clearer
understanding. Working as a lawyer is not as dramatic as portrayed in TV shows or movies; it's more
about dedicated daily work. While it can sometimes be tedious, with long hours spent scrutinizing
every word in contracts on a computer screen, it's crucial for our clients. Responsibility is the mostsignificant aspect I've come to appreciate. Unlike in the corporate world, there's no set time to clock inor out at a law firm, but everyone takes their work seriously and responsibly, because responsibility
matters.
Singaporean life is highly adaptable for Chinese people. It's a clean and beautiful country. Although I
missed the seafood from Japan during my time in Singapore, I had a wonderful month there. I lookforward to returning to this beautiful place again someday.
（Date / 記載日）23th April 20245