Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
50586:[2025 Spring]Civil Law (P) 2025 Spring Tue1 College　Of　Policy　Science YAMASHITA TETSUYA 2

Campus

OIC

Class Venue

AS463

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

This course will provide a critical introduction to the institutions and actors that comprise the Japanese legal system, focusing on civil law. Because the legal system is essential to society, students studying policy science must understand its basic ideas and functions and use legal rules effectively to realize policies.

This course will be divided into two parts: the first covers the relationship between legal rules and society, and the second treats cutting-edge issues and law. The last several classes are allotted to students' presentations and discussions to prepare for their final essays.

Each student is encouraged to have a comparative perspective and thus find similar issues and cases in the civil law area of their jurisdiction, considering how it functions in its society and judicial and political system.

Student Attainment Objectives

Upon completing this course, students should be able to:
- Explain the basic knowledge of Japanese legal system, especially civil law and civil procedure;
- Explain the relationship between law and society; and
- Understand the discussions on new arising issues related to the law.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1

Class Guidance; Introduction to the Japanese Legal System

Keywords: A Concise History of Japanese Law; What is the Civil Law Tradition?; Private Law and Public Law; The Legal Profession and Courts

The instructor will give a more detailed course outline in the first week of class. Some topics for learning may be different than those listed in the weekly schedule in this syllabus.

[On-demand Class]
[+R-Jugyo] Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on manaba+R.

2

Relationship between Legal Rules and Society (1): Dispute Resolution

Keywords: Disputes in Modern Japan; Reluctant Litigant

[Face-to-face Class]

3

Relationship between Legal Rules and Society (2): Traffic Accidents

Keywords: Torts; Negligence; Traffic Accidents

[Face-to-face Class]

4

Relationship between Legal Rules and Society (3): Product Liability

Keywords: Basic Rules of Product Liability; Defect in the Product; Why is the Low Number of Product Liability Litigations in Japan?

[On-demand Class]

5

Relationship between Legal Rules and Society (4): Medical Malpractice 1

Keywords: Basic Rules of Medical Malpractice

[On-demand Class]

6

Relationship between Legal Rules and Society (5): Medical Malpractice 2

Keywords: Why is the Number of Medical Malpractice Litigations in Japan Low?

[Face-to-face Class]

7

Middle Wrap-up and Preparation for the Discussion

Review of the First Part of the Course and Preparation for the Discussion

[On-demand Class]

8

Discussion

Discussions on the Relationship between Legal Rules and Society

[Face-to-face Class]

9

Cutting-edge Issues and Law (1): Autonomous Cars

Keywords: How Should We Think about the Liability for the Damages of Autonomous Cars Accidents?; Tort Law

[On-demand Class]

10

Cutting-edge Issues and Law (2): Same-sex Marriage

Keywords: How Should We Think about Same-sex Couples' Right to Marry?; Family Law

[Face-to-face Class]

11

Research and Presentation (1)

Research and presentation for the Final Essay

[Face-to-face Class]

12

Research and Presentation (2)

Research and presentation for the Final Essay

[Face-to-face Class]

13

Research and Presentation (3)

Research and presentation for the Final Essay

[Face-to-face Class]

14

Course Wrap-up

Review of the Whole Course

[Face-to-face Class]

Class Format

Nine classes on Face to Face basis, five classes on Media basis (either live-streamed classes or on-demand classes).

Recommendations for Private Study

Before/after attending each class, students are expected to
- Read the handouts and materials critically;
- Discuss the notions and practices covered in the classes with other students.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

- Class participation
- Final essay (*its subject will be announced in the middle of the course.)

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Concise handouts and reading materials are distributed before each class.

Reference Books

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

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