The Faculty of Law traces its roots back almost 100 years to theShiritsu Kyoto Hosei Gakko (Kyoto Private School of Law and Politics), the educational institution that was later transformed into Ritsumeikan University. During the intervening years, we have continued to uphold the institution's founding spirit of freedom and freshness while maintaining the Ritsumeikan educational philosophy of peace and democracy in both our research and our educational pursuits. We take pride in the traditions evident in the prewar journal Ho to Keizai (Law and Economy), published from 1934 to 1941, and in the studies of law and politics that have been maintained by a long line of postwar scholars-- starting with the late University President Suekawa Hiroshi-- devoted to the principles of peace, democracy and human rights. It is our goal to continue this tradition. The Ritsumeikan University Faculty of Law Home Page is scheduled to provide reports on the contents of such publications as Ritsumeikan Hogaku and the Ritsumeikan Law Review, as well as a wide range of activities, including international exchange programs and lectures, classroom activities, and plans for new research and educational activities, and we hope to keep them as up-to-minute as possible. We also plan to introduce our audience to some of the pioneering efforts and projects of the educators who helped forge our first century of achievement. We therefore hope that you will not make this visit to our Home Page your last. With your feedback and support, we hope to make our "Home" a place you'll want to visit again and again. Thanks again for your patronage.
Brief History of Our Faculty
A CENTURY OF TRADITION
The institution that later took the name Ritsumeikan University was foundedin 1900 by Prince Saionji Kinmochi, a leading international statesman ofmodern Japan. Known as Shiritsu Kyoto Hosei Gakko (Kyoto Private School ofLaw and Politics), the school started off by offering evening classes inthe large rooms of a traditional Japanese restaurant. There, professorsfrom Kyoto Imperial University delivered lectures to working class studentseager to study law and politics. The University has undergone many changesin the almost 100 years that have passed since then, but research andeducation in the law have always been one of its mainstays, while theFaculty of Law has continued to see itself as the leading upholder of itsspirit and tradition.
RESPECTED AS ONE OF THE FINEST SCHOOLS IN THE KANSAI AREA
During its long history, the Ritsumeikan University law school has earned areputation as one of the best institutions in the area near Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe.
The main reason for its solid reputation is that it has continued tomaintain the qualities of freshness and freedom instilled by its founder,Prince Saionji, as well as the spirit of peace and democracy. In the yearsleading up to World War II, when fascism reared its ugly head in Japan, alarge number of professors of Kyoto Imperial University resigned because ofgovernment pressure to restrict academic freedom in the infamous "TakigawaIncident". The Faculty of Law at Ritsumeikan, however, accepted 17 of themin a show of support for their efforts to protect academic freedom and theright of a university to govern itself. Then after the war, the Facultylead the way in the University's efforts to make itself more democracticunder the direction of law scholar and Honorary President Suekawa Hiroshi.
A second reason why the Faculty of Law stands in such good repute is itslarge contribution to legal circles. Since the end of the War over 300 ofits graduates have passed the difficult Japanese bar examination, and manyof its alumni are working in the forefront of the legal profession. Tomaintain this fine track record, the Faculty has made the cultivation offine legal minds one of its main goals, giving full support to studentstrying to pass the bar examination. The Faculty also maintains strong tieswith alumni working in legal circles and actively seeks their support invarious ways, including help with lectures, giving special talks, andadvising students preparing for the bar examination.
DEVELOPING WITH THE CHANGING TIMES
As the times change, and society with it, the role of law also continuallydevelops. The law has become increasingly involved in a number of newfields, including heightened consciousness of human rights, protection ofintellectual property, and protection of the environment. The law providesthe basic rules needed to lead our daily lives. We therefore strive toinstill in our students a philosophy and power of thought based on lawsthat can withstand the tests of time; in other words, we try to cultivatetrue "legal minds".
Educational Philosophy of Our Faculty
A HISTORY AND TRADITION SPANNING 100 YEARS:
TAKING PRIDE IN THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM, PEACE AND DEMOCRACY
The Faculty of Law prides itself in a tradition born in the precursor to Ritsumeikan University--Shiritsu Kyoto Hosei Gakko (Kyoto Private School of Law and Politics). While respecting the institution's founding spirit of freedom and freshness and maintaining Ritsumeikan'seducational philosophy of peace and democracy, we strive to cultivate legal minds that can transform the concepts of law, justice, freedom and human rights into reality.
SYSTEMATIC STUDY IN ONE OF FIVE COURSES STARTING LEGAL STUDIES FROM THE FRESHMAN YEAR
The Faculty of Law offers five courses tailored to meet the requirements of specific professional goals and student interests.
Students select one of these courses when they apply for entrance to the University.
ACTIVELY ADOPTING NEW RESEARCH AREAS TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE TIMES
The law is moving into an ever wider range of fields. To keep up with its advance, the Faculty of Law at Ritsumeikan actively deals with changing areas of law, from intellectual property rights and product liability law to environmental protection and the legalization of the right of women to retain their maiden names after marriage. The Faculty is also making active use of computers and the Internet in its activities.
SOLID TRACK RECORD IN HELPING STUDENTS PASS THE BAR EXAMINATION AND CIVIL SERVICE EXAM
The Ritsumeikan Faculty of Law is proud of its record in supporting students preparing for the bar and civil service exams. Over 300 of ourgraduates have passed the difficult bar exam since the end of the War,earning the Faculty a reputation as one of the best law schools in the Kansai area.
