Two doctoral candidates from our institution, Ms Chung Yoon Joo and Ms Ren Zeshen, were invited by the Graduate Schools for Law and Politics at the University of Tokyo to participate in the second edition of their one-week seminar on Japanese Law, held from 3 to 7 February 2026. Themed “Perspectives on Japanese Law in a Changing Global Context,” the programme featured lectures, interactive sessions, practical exercises, and institutional visits, alongside a practical contract negotiation simulation exercise. The seminar brought together graduate students and early-career legal professionals from approximately 20 countries and regions, representing a diverse range of jurisdictions.

Ms Ren reflected that the Winter School provided significant academic and professional benefits, including valuable networking opportunities with University of Tokyo faculty and fellow doctoral researchers, as well as the development of her ability to engage critically with unfamiliar legal systems within broader institutional and socio-legal contexts. She also found the experience would provide her with insights that will continue to inform her research during her doctoral candidature.

Ms Chung found the study of Japanese law particularly engaging, and the diversity of the participants enriched the learning experience through active exchanges of perspectives from different jurisdictions. The sessions allowed participants to share how similar legal and regulatory challenges are addressed in their own legal systems, which added depth to classroom learning. Overall, she felt that the programme provided focused academic exposure, practical insight, and opportunities for scholarly exchange that are relevant to her ongoing doctoral research.