Basic Japanese Civil Law from edX

This course teaches Japanese law. It covers the legal system and basic concepts. The course starts with the study of concepts that are common to many countries, such as sovereignty, constitution, separation of three rights, basic human rights and personal security. Furthermore, it covers current issues in Japan, for example, those faced in daily life from a legal perspective based upon laws and related practices. By studying Japanese law, you learn about the relationship between law and contemporary Japanese culture and society, and then can compare it to the law of other countries.

Topics covered are sovereignty, separation of powers, basic principles of the constitution, principles of freedom of contract (the socioeconomic activity of the law in promoting functionality), the meaning of property rights (relativization of absolute principles of ownership by an aging society and commons), tort and contract comparison, accident and tort law, the characteristics of Japanese family law (including international marriage, divorce and child protection), learning of labor-related law and reform of Japanese-style employment and way of working, the court as a dispute resolution system, and the Japanese court system.

The course covers major law amendments up to March 2021.

Acknowledgement

Special thanks to Stephen Mason, barrister and Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London, UK for reviewing parts of this revised course.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Structure of legal system and justice system
Basic japanese civil law, especially the japanese civil code
Contemporary problems in civil law

Methods for accessing japanese law and legal information
Some basic legal technical terms in japanese

Structure of legal system and justice system
Basic japanese civil law, especially the japanese civil code
Contemporary problems in civil law
Methods for accessing japanese law and legal information
Some basic legal technical terms in japanese

Syllabus

Unit 1 Basics of Japanese Law, introduction

Unit 2 Contract

Unit 3 Tort

Unit 4 Property

Unit 5 Family

Unit 6 Labor

Unit 7 Court

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops understanding of Japanese law for engaging more fully with contemporary Japanese culture and society

Geared towards learners with limited to no knowledge of Japanese law, making it a good starting point for those new to this topic

Taught by instructors with experience in the legal field, ensuring a solid foundation in the subject matter

Exploration of practical aspects of Japanese law, including its implications in everyday life

Covers important legal principles such as sovereignty, separation of powers, and basic human rights, providing a comprehensive foundation

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Basic Japanese Civil Law with these activities:

Review foundational concepts of the Japanese legal system

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Renewing your knowledge of basic legal concepts will ensure that you are refreshed and prepared as you begin the course.

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Review notes and materials from previous courses, if any, that covered the foundational concepts of the Japanese legal system.
Read through introductory materials provided by the course instructor.
Take practice quizzes or answer review questions to test your understanding of the basic concepts.

Review Tort Law Concepts

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Refresh your understanding of Tort Law concepts, such as negligence, intentional torts, and strict liability, will help you build upon your current knowledge and skills, preparing you to actively participate in the course.

Browse courses on Tort Law

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Read through your notes or textbook chapters on Tort Law.
Review legal cases and summaries of landmark Tort Law decisions.
Complete practice questions or exercises related to Tort Law.

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Career center

Learners who complete Basic Japanese Civil Law will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Lawyer

Lawyers advise and represent clients in courts, before government agencies, and in private matters. The Basic Japanese Civil Law course provides a solid foundation in Japanese law, including the Japanese civil code, contemporary problems in civil law, and methods for accessing Japanese law and legal information.

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Legal Assistant

Legal assistants perform a variety of administrative and legal tasks to support lawyers. The Basic Japanese Civil Law course provides legal assistants with a comprehensive understanding of Japanese law, which can be essential for success in this role.

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Compliance Officer

Compliance officers ensure that organizations comply with laws, regulations, and ethical standards. The Basic Japanese Civil Law course provides compliance officers with a strong foundation in Japanese law, which is essential for understanding and enforcing compliance requirements.

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Policy Analyst

Policy analysts research, analyze, and make recommendations on public policy issues. The Basic Japanese Civil Law course provides policy analysts with a strong foundation in Japanese law, which is essential for understanding and analyzing policy issues.

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Legislator

Legislators make laws and policies that govern society. The Basic Japanese Civil Law course provides legislators with a strong foundation in Japanese law, which is essential for understanding and drafting laws and policies.

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Judge

Judges preside over legal proceedings and make decisions on legal disputes. The Basic Japanese Civil Law course provides judges with a strong foundation in Japanese law, which is essential for understanding and resolving legal disputes.

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Arbitrator

Arbitrators resolve legal disputes outside of court. The Basic Japanese Civil Law course provides arbitrators with a strong foundation in Japanese law, which is essential for understanding and resolving legal disputes.

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Mediator

Mediators facilitate the resolution of legal disputes between parties. The Basic Japanese Civil Law course provides mediators with a strong foundation in Japanese law, which is essential for understanding and facilitating the resolution of legal disputes.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research in law schools. The Basic Japanese Civil Law course provides professors with a strong foundation in Japanese law, which is essential for teaching and conducting research in this field.

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Legal Researcher

Legal researchers conduct research on legal issues and provide legal analysis and advice. The Basic Japanese Civil Law course provides legal researchers with a strong foundation in Japanese law, which is essential for conducting research on legal issues and providing legal analysis and advice.

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Journalist

Journalists report on legal news and events. The Basic Japanese Civil Law course provides journalists with a strong foundation in Japanese law, which is essential for understanding and reporting on legal news and events.

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Business Analyst

Business analysts analyze business processes and make recommendations for improvement. The Basic Japanese Civil Law course may be useful for business analysts who work in Japan or who need to understand Japanese law for business purposes.

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Investment Banker

Investment bankers provide financial advice and services to corporations and governments. The Basic Japanese Civil Law course may be useful for investment bankers who work in Japan or who need to understand Japanese law for business purposes.

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Management Consultant

Management consultants provide advice and services to businesses on how to improve their operations. The Basic Japanese Civil Law course may be useful for management consultants who work in Japan or who need to understand Japanese law for business purposes.

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Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers oversee the human resources function of an organization. The Basic Japanese Civil Law course may be useful for human resources managers who work in Japan or who need to understand Japanese law for business purposes.

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