Faculty of Law

About Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law at Keio University is an academic division located in Tokyo, Japan. As an integral component of Keio University, the faculty operates under the university’s governance and adheres to its institutional standards for higher education. Established in 1890, the Faculty of Law is one of the oldest departments within the university, reflecting the institution’s long-standing focus on legal studies and political science. It functions as a central unit for undergraduate and graduate education, contributing to the academic output and research profile of the university within the Japanese higher education system.

The faculty is divided into two primary departments: the Department of Law and the Department of Political Science. The Department of Law offers a curriculum designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of legal principles, constitutional frameworks, and civil and criminal codes. Students engage in the study of Japanese law alongside international legal perspectives. The Department of Political Science focuses on political theory, public administration, international relations, and comparative politics. Both departments utilize a lecture-based model supplemented by seminars and research projects that require analytical engagement with historical and contemporary political and legal issues.

The Faculty of Law is primarily situated on the Mita Campus in the Minato ward of Tokyo. This campus serves as the historical base for Keio University and houses various administrative offices, research centers, and libraries. Facilities available to students include the Keio University Library, which contains a collection of legal texts, government documents, and academic journals. The campus infrastructure supports the faculty's academic activities through designated study spaces, computer laboratories, and lecture halls equipped for multimedia instruction. Access to these facilities is granted to enrolled students as part of their affiliation with the university.

Academic programs within the faculty are structured to meet the educational requirements set by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). As a department within Keio University, the Faculty of Law benefits from the university’s accreditation status, which is recognized by the relevant national authorities in Japan. The faculty maintains a rigorous academic environment where assessment is conducted through examinations, written assignments, and research theses. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for various career paths, including roles in the legal profession, public service, corporate governance, and academic research.

The faculty emphasizes the integration of research and teaching. Faculty members are engaged in continuous study across various sub-disciplines, including civil law, constitutional law, public international law, political history, and data-driven political analysis. This research output is disseminated through university publications and academic journals, contributing to the broader field of social sciences in Japan. Students have the opportunity to interact with these researchers through seminar-style courses, which encourage the development of critical thinking and methodological proficiency in legal and political inquiry.

Internationalization is a component of the faculty's operational strategy. The Faculty of Law maintains partnerships with several international institutions, facilitating student exchange programs and collaborative research initiatives. These programs allow students to study legal and political systems in different jurisdictions, fostering an understanding of global legal frameworks. The faculty also offers courses taught in English to support international students and domestic students aiming to improve their language proficiency for professional environments. These initiatives are managed within the broader administrative framework of Keio University’s international affairs division.

Admissions to the Faculty of Law are conducted through competitive processes, including university-wide entrance examinations and specific departmental assessments. The selection process evaluates applicants based on their academic performance in secondary education and their proficiency in subjects relevant to law and political science. Upon admission, students are required to complete a specified number of credits and fulfill core curriculum requirements before receiving their degree. The faculty maintains a structured academic calendar consisting of spring and autumn semesters, consistent with the standard practices of higher education institutions in Japan.

The Faculty of Law functions as a professional and academic community within Tokyo. It adheres to the administrative policies of Keio University, ensuring that its operations remain aligned with the university's institutional goals. Through its long history, the faculty has established a consistent presence in the Japanese academic landscape, providing training in legal and political studies. Its structure, facilities, and curriculum are intended to provide students with the foundational knowledge and analytical skills necessary for professional practice and further academic specialization.