From its innovative technology to its rich culture and beautiful landscapes, Japan is an appealing option for students who want to study law at respected universities.
Japan historically faced a shortage of lawyers and a highly competitive bar examination. In response, the country introduced reforms to legal education, including the launch of professional law schools in 2004 and broader changes to the bar-examination and legal-training pathway. Today, Japanese universities offer various law-related programs, the country’s best scholarships, and more opportunities for students.
Read further to learn more about the top law universities in Japan.
Top Law Schools in Japan
1. University of Tokyo
- Study Program | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Laws, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, professional law degree | Medium of Instruction: Japanese, with some English-language and international research options
The University of Tokyo was established in 1877 through the merger of Tokyo Kaisei Gakko and Tokyo Medical School. The University of Tokyo is regarded as one of Japan’s top universities for law because of its long history in legal education, strong research environment, and broad graduate pathways. It has three main campuses in Hongo, Komaba, and Kashiwa, with other facilities located throughout Japan. The University of Tokyo is a research-intensive institution with a mission to contribute to society through education and research.
The University of Tokyo has 10 faculties and 15 graduate schools offering programs in fields such as Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Law, and Politics.
The university’s Faculty of Law and Graduate Schools for Law and Politics include the undergraduate program, the School of Legal and Political Studies, and the School of Law. Law and political science are studied together to prepare students to understand the legal, political, and social challenges of modern society.
2. Nagoya University
Officially founded as an Imperial University in 1939, Nagoya University traces its roots to a temporary medical school and public hospital established in 1871. The school was originally connected to the spread of Western medicine and the training of doctors in Japan. Later, Nagoya Imperial University was established to support the region’s need for a comprehensive university.
The university has nine undergraduate schools and 13 graduate schools. It has about 10,000 undergraduate students, 6,000 graduate students, and approximately 2,600 international students from more than 100 countries. Nagoya University contributes to society through research and education while maintaining a free and vibrant academic environment. It also offers educational support programs, scholarships, and fee exemptions.
Nagoya University’s School of Law is a respected institution that offers undergraduate and graduate study in law and politics. Its Graduate School of Law offers programs such as the LL.M. in Comparative Law and the LL.D. in Comparative Law. Some programs include English-taught classes and are designed especially for international students.
3. Kyushu University
Kyushu University is a national university in Fukuoka. Its predecessor, Fukuoka Medical College, was established in 1903, and Kyushu Imperial University was founded in 1911. Today, Kyushu University is a leading national research university in the Kyushu region. It collaborates with industry and government to strengthen research and produce internationally relevant technologies.
Kyushu University has 18,813 students and 2,183 faculty members, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1. It also has 2,618 international students, representing about 14% of the total student body. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and provides many career pathways for its students, including further study, medical residency, and employment in various sectors.
The university’s Faculty of Law and Letters opened in 1924. Kyushu University’s law education combines legal research, public policy, and international legal studies. Its international law programs include the LL.M. program, the Bilingual Master’s Program in Law, the Young Leaders’ Program in Law, lifelong-learning options, double-degree programs, and the LL.D. program. The LL.M. is a one-year program taught entirely in English, while the LL.D. allows students to complete doctoral research in English.
4. Keio University
Keio University was established in 1858 by Yukichi Fukuzawa as a small school of Western studies. It is a private research university in Japan with six major campuses in the greater Tokyo area. The university’s philosophy is closely connected to its idea of “jitsugaku,” or practical learning. Keio has contributed to the advancement and modernization of Japan through education, research, and medicine. Keio University has 10 undergraduate faculties, 14 graduate schools, over 33,400 students, and more than 390,000 alumni.
Keio University’s Law School was established in 2004 and is considered one of Japan’s leading law schools. It was founded on the principles of internationalism, interdisciplinarity, and a pioneering spirit. The Law School offers J.D. and LL.M. programs, and its LL.M. in Global Legal Practice is taught entirely in English. The curriculum includes more than 15 English-taught courses, primarily focused on business law. Keio Law School also accepts exchange students, usually up to 10 students per semester.
5. Waseda University
Originally called Tokyo Senmon Gakko in 1882, Waseda University is one of Japan’s top private research universities. It was established by Shigenobu Okuma with the mission of nurturing students and encouraging them to “be ambitious to contribute to the world without regard to the benefits of yourself, family, or your country.” Waseda has 13 undergraduate schools and 20 graduate and professional schools, including the School of Law, Graduate School of Law, and Waseda Law School.
Waseda Law School opened in 2004, when Japan launched its new professional legal education system. It aims to train high-quality legal professionals who can serve people, society, and the world. Waseda’s Graduate School of Law also offers an LL.M. in Asian Economic Integration and Law, a one-year master’s program focused on law and economics from an international perspective. All classes in this LL.M. program are conducted in English.
We hope that this article on the best law universities in Japan was helpful. If you are interested, make sure to also check out these available courses for international students. For more practical tips on planning effectively for your overseas studies, visit our Study in Japan Page!
