Program Overview:
Tokyo is our flagship business study abroad program. Spend 3 weeks diving deep into legal business culture in Japan with renowned faculty and practitioners. In addition to the core academic program students can opt to participate in phenomenal business externships with placements at top law firms in Tokyo or Seoul.
Key Dates:
- Application Deadline: March 15, 2024 (or until program is filled)
- Online Pre-departure Orientation: Friday, April 12, 2023 1-3pm (PST)
- On Site Orientation: Sunday, May 26, 2024
- Classes Begin: Monday, May 27, 2024
- Classes End: Wednesday, June 19, 2024
- Examination: Wednesday, June 19, 2024
- Optional Externship Begin: Monday, June 24, 2024
- Optional Externship End: Friday, July 26, 2024
|
Term |
Year |
App Deadline |
Decision Date |
Start Date |
End Date |
|
Summer |
2024 |
03/15/2024 |
Rolling admission |
05/26/2024 |
06/19/2024 |
Application Process:
Santa Clara Law Study Abroad Programs are open to all students of ABA and California Bar Accredited Law Schools that are in good academic standing.
The programs are not competitive - if you are in good standing, you are qualified to participate!
All classes are taught in English and are accredited by ABA.
Connect with Us and Learn More:
Non-Santa Clara Students
Schedule a zoom or in person appointment for personal advising or contact LawStudyAbroad@scu.edu to request an in person or zoom presentation for your Law School.
General Summer Abroad Information Sessions
These are general information sessions where we discuss all of our summer abroad programs, the application process, and other introductory topics. Each session has the same information. You are welcome to attend whatever session works best for you.
- November 8, 2023 12-1pm via zoom (registration link)
- November 9, 2023 6pm via zoom (registration link)
- December 19, 2023 12-1pm via zoom (registration link)
Annual Study Abroad Fair
Each of our summer abroad programs will have a table in the Charney Atrium to connect with interested students. The Faculty Program Director as well as students who have attended the programs in the past will be there to answer questions.
- November 15, 2023 12-2pm Charney Hall Atrium
Program Specific Tabling
The study abroad administrator and the SCU professor who will run this program will be available in the Charney Hall Atrium to answer questions and connect with interested students. Stop by and say hi!
- Charney Hall Atrium (near Side Bar Cafe)
Academic Course:
Course Title and Units
- Doing Business in Japan (Required – 4 credits)
- Japanese Patent and Copyright Law (Optional – 1 credit)
Course Description
Doing Business in Japan (Required – 4 units): There are three components that constitute the singular core class of Doing Business in Japan.The program begins with an introduction to the Japanese Legal System, which will be taught by Professor Keisuke Abe, of Seikei University, and Professor Kyoko Ishida, of Waseda University. Students will explore court structures and basic principles of the civil law as adopted in Japan. The following weeks will include a lecture on Regulation of International Trade, taught by Mitsuo Matsushita, Professor Emeritus, Seikei University, one of Japan's most celebrated scholars, and an Introduction to International Contracts and Financing taught by Professor Philip J. Jimenez, Santa Clara University. The classes will be held at the Asia Center of Japan. The students will be evaluated by an examination administered by each professor.
Japanese Patent and Copyright Law (Optional – 1 unit): The class is taught by Professor Yoshiyuki Inaba, Senior Partner at TMI Associations, Tokyo Office. This optional course is for students who want to explore more deeply the Japanese intellectual property law system, comparing Japanese and U.S. systems, primarily patent and copyright law. This course is typically held at the office of the instructor. The class will likely be held in the evenings.
Site Visits
Site visits can include:
- National Diet (parliament)
- Supreme Court
- National Patent Office
Program Director
Teaching Faculty
View our summer lecturers here
Embedded Video
Add an Externship:
What is an Externship?
Externships are optional practical experiences that you can add on to your study abroad program. During the externship period, you will work at a law firm or non-profit to gain hands on, practice training and experience. During this time, you will earn credits toward your law degree.
Students gain valuable practical experience under the supervision of a professional in the host country, while integrating into the legal culture of the country, and making invaluable professional contacts. During the externship period, you will be engaged in your training and experience full time (e.g., 40 hours or more per week). We require a minimum of 50 hours of supervised legal work for each externship unit of credit. In addition to the externship unit enrollment, students will also be registered for and must successfully complete the International Externship Workshop (Law 706i), which is a zero unit partner course designed to ensure that the externship work complies with ABA experiential learning requirements.
Please note externship placement timelines vary. Some placements may not be finalized until the start of the class portion and some placements are finalized during the class portion. Please be patient and do not book non-refundable travel.
Program Externship Summary
Externship placements following the Tokyo academic program are with top law firms in Tokyo, Japan or Seoul, Korea. Students report overwhelmingly positive experiences and enjoy the chance to network with our deep connections in the region.
Locations
Tokyo Externships: Externship placements will be arranged in Tokyo law firms, which have international law practices. Placements do not require knowledge of the Japanese language. However, bilingual students are in demand and may find a wider range of placement opportunities.
Seoul Externships: Externships are available in premier Korean law firms, including many specializing in intellectual property and in international transactional work.
Estimated Expenses, Financial Aid, and Billing:
Deposit
A non-refundable deposit of $300 for the class and an additional non-refundable deposit of $700 for an externship (if applicable) is required to secure your spot. This is applied toward your tuition charge. The deposit is payable to Santa Clara University. The deposit may be paid via credit card, wire transfer, or check.
Tuition
The summer study abroad tuition rate is $1,250/unit for J.D. students. LL.M. students should contact LawStudyAbroad@scu.edu for tuition information. Emergency travel assistance insurance is included in the tuition price. Tuition is payable to Santa Clara University. Tuition may be paid via bank transfer, international wire transfer (Flywire) or check. Tuition is not payable by credit card.
Living Expenses
Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own airfare, housing, food, local travel costs, incidentals, and supplies.
Payment Deadlines
Tuition will be charged to your student account (WorkDay) in April and payment will be due no later than April 21st. Non-Santa Clara Law students who have submitted a Financial Aid Consortium Agreement as well as Santa Clara Law students who requested Financial Aid in their Summer Survey, are given until May 21st to submit their tuition payments. Increases to enrollment after May 21st (such as adding externship units) require prepayment.
Refunds
Deposits are non-refundable. The final day to withdraw from any program for a refund of tuition is April 21st. Withdraw must be submitted in writing to LawStudyAbroad@scu.edu. Reduction in enrollment after April 21st (such as decreasing externship units) are not eligible for refunds.
Program Cancellation
Santa Clara University School of Law does not anticipate the canceling of the program. However, war, natural disaster, widespread contagious disease, terrorism, or comparable events, or insufficient enrollment, could cause cancellation. Should cancellation occur, students will be notified by e-mail and all deposits and tuition paid for the program will be refunded.
Financial Aid
US law students are typically eligible for financial aid to cover tuition, airfare, housing, food, local travel costs and school supplies. Financial Aid is processed and disbursed by the student's home institution.
Santa Clara Law Students:
- In the Spring Semester, Santa Clara Law Financial Aid will request that you complete the Summer Survey, which will ask for your enrollment plans and whether you need financial aid.
- To request financial aid for summer, you must have a FAFSA on file with SCU Law Financial Aid.
- Santa Clara Law academic scholarships generally do not cover summer study abroad, with the exception of the Dean’s Fellowship, which does cover full study abroad tuition.
Non-Santa Clara Law Students:
- Contact your home school’s financial aid office and request that they send a financial aid consortium agreement to Santa Clara Law Financial Aid (LawFinancialAid@scu.edu).
For questions related to financial aid for study abroad programs, students should contact Santa Clara Law Financial Aid at LawFinancialAid@scu.edu and CC: LawStudyAbroad@scu.edu
Estimated Expenses
We provide these estimated expenses as a courtesy to assist students with their travel plans and to support financial aid processes. Your personal expenses may vary depending on your travel and living arrangements. Please contact LawStudyAbroad@scu.edu to request general or personalized estimated expenses for this program.
Housing and Life Abroad:
Housing:
Students are responsible for making their own housing arrangements during classes and the externship period. Students typically stay at the Asia Center of Japan (8-10-32 Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan), where classes are held. Each year, the Center blocks some rooms for students of the program. Information about how to reserve a room at the Asia Center of Japan will be provided by the Program Director. Students are responsible for paying for their individual reservations. Rates include a free breakfast coupon. The cafeteria at the Asia Center serves good, inexpensive food. Prior participants have enjoyed dining at this cafeteria as well as many other restaurants, since there are a wide variety of restaurants in Tokyo.
Student Recommended Housing Options
Connecting with Other Students Going Abroad
Starting in February, deposited students will be invited to join a whatsapp group for your program to connect with other students to discuss housing and travel plans.
Connecting with Alumni of this Program
If you would like to speak to alumni of this program, please contact LawStudyAbroad@scu.edu
Exploring the Area:
Travel within Japan is convenient and efficient. The famous “bullet trains” make all of Japan accessible. Cost of transportation is reasonable when Japan Rail passes are purchased in the United States prior to departure. Tokyo presents an almost limitless panorama. This city of shrines is home not only to the Imperial Palace surrounded by the splendor of its gardens, but is also recognized for its Ginza district and skyscrapers. In addition, students may take the opportunity to explore China, Korea, and Southeast Asia before or after the scheduled program. Whether your interests lean toward sightseeing in cities like Kyoto, Nikko, Osaka, or Hiroshima, or you seek the adventure of climbing Mt. Fuji, the opportunities to enrich your experience are boundless in the Tokyo Study Abroad Program.
Santa Clara University does not endorse any of these tours or links. Links provided may be used as a starting point to virtually explore and prepare for your desired program destination from home.
In this video you can see a sneak peek of teamLab’s -- the Japanese art collective known for creating immersive digital art experiences -- Borderless, a popular and breathtaking digital art installation.
Testimonials:
Our Tokyo Summer Program has an overall rating of 4.75 based off of past evaluations from participants (Scale of 1-5, 1=poor, 5=excellent)
"My summer abroad in Japan, taught me the legal fundamentals of doing international business in Japan. Studying abroad gave me the opportunity to learn from other cultures, eat amazing food, and foster relationships with great friends and professors. My externship in Korea gave me the opportunity to work under a premier international blockchain attorney; which, has allowed me to stand out during my job search and positioned me for huge job opportunities here in Silicon Valley. I highly recommend the Korea externship program. Great experiences, exquisite food, and prime opportunities!"
- Gustavo Alza, Santa Clara University (2019)
"Participating in the Tokyo program was incredible. I'm extremely grateful to the many professors who taught us about the various aspects of the Japanese legal system. It was eye opening to learn about the differences in perspectives and approaches to legal doctrines, especially how they were influenced by the history of Japan. On top of the coursework, the visits to the Supreme Court of Japan and the National Diet were memorable experiences. I also highly encourage enrolling in the additional Japan Patents and Trademarks optional class as it provides an insight to the differences between Patent and Trademark laws in Japan, the US and EU. I cannot recommend this program enough and am glad to have been part of it."
- Yong Ra, Santa Clara University (2018)
"The externship experience not only gave me an opportunity to build my legal skills but also exposed me to the law firm culture in Japan, but most importantly, I made important networks in Japan that will follow my legal career forever."
- Moony Qi, Berkeley School of Law (2017)
Click here to view more testimonials from past students!
Travel Information:
US State Department Tips for Traveling Abroad
US State Department Travel Safety Information
US Department of State Country Specific Information
US Department of State: Passport Services
US Department of State Worldwide Caution