What's the Keio University Faculty of Law Like?

I was born in the United States and lived in France from age four to seven. After that, I attended a private combined junior and senior high school. The English classes at that high school were very interesting. It wasn't about studying for tests; rather, the classes involved learning by connecting with the fundamentals through novels and their historical context. I wanted to continue learning that way in college, so I chose Keio University, which has a strong liberal arts education program. I decided to aim for the Faculty of Law because of my experience with Model United Nations in high school. High school students from all over the country act as UN ambassadors for various nations, engaging in debates and drafting policies. There, I realized that ideals alone cannot change reality. Behind policies lies the unwavering authority of 'law,' which is rooted in the culture of each country. That's when I decided I wanted to study 'law' properly and become a lawyer.

I was born in Indonesia and spent 15 years there. I came to Tokyo in high school and enrolled in a public high school. This is my fourth year in Japan. Because of that background, I was interested in international relations and chose Keio University, where I could study both law and politics. Now that classes have started, I find the history and economic history courses interesting, and I'm trying to take as wide a range of subjects as possible. It helps me figure out what I'm interested in and contributes to my general education. The general education curriculum is extensive in the first and second years, so I see this period as a time to build a broad base of knowledge.

I'm from Sendai City, born and raised in Japan. I became interested in the Faculty of Law after being inspired by a TV drama I watched in elementary school and wanting to become a prosecutor. However, I had a separate reason for choosing the Department of Political Science. When the voting age was lowered to 18 in 2014, I was in high school and felt anxious about not having any political opinions. In response, my father taught me the importance of digging deeper into world affairs by asking 'Why?' and 'How?'. To avoid being passive about information in the world, I chose the Keio University Faculty of Law as a place where I could learn about politics and law in a balanced way.

They're very interesting. I'm currently taking a course called 'Foundations of Japanese Politics,' which examines how politics were conducted during the war. For example, it looks at how the Japanese sense of belonging and insularity led to a disconnect between the army and navy. This can be said of any country; the Holocaust in Germany is the same. The way politics is conducted can change people so drastically. I think that the inherent temperament of a nation's people is reflected in the politics of each era. We tend to think of politics in terms of 'systems' or 'structures,' but the perspective of considering it in connection with human existence itself is an interesting aspect unique to university studies.

I joined a club called the Institute of International Relations (I.I.R.) and am in charge of an exchange project with Stanford University in the US. What I've noticed from talking with students from overseas is that our fundamental ways of thinking about historical facts are different. For example, the Asian financial crisis, the Plaza Accord, and World War II are all events that actually happened, but the perspective on them is completely different depending on which community you belong to. Even in a debate, no single viewpoint can be established as correct. So, instead of seeking a conclusion, we work to deepen our thinking. That experience has been valuable in broadening my own perspective.

I feel that the great thing about university is being able to study in ways I couldn't in high school. That's why I also feel the responsibility that comes with making my own choices. I've joined a law-related club, a basketball club, and a painting club, and in each one, I meet all sorts of people and encounter diverse values. Whether I can turn what I gain there into personal growth is up to me. Student life isn't infinite, so within a year or two, I want to form a vision for my future and be able to explain it in my own words. At this point, my goal is to become a lawyer, leveraging my background as a returnee from France, and to serve as a bridge between Japan and France.

I'm interested in the situation in East Asia and am focusing on the relationship between Japan and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Although Japan is a developed country, its working-age population is declining due to a low birthrate and aging population. Indonesia, on the other hand, is in the midst of economic development. The kind of relationship these two countries build could serve as a model case. This involves immigration policies and legal frameworks, so it's an extension of what I'm currently studying. In fact, at the youth forum for the G7 Hiroshima Summit held this August, I worked with 60 participants from various countries to create an essay on the theme of 'law,' which we submitted to the justice ministers of the ASEAN countries. I want to continue to actively participate in such activities in the future.

I'm interested in political education. Just like I was, children in Japan tend to have little interest in politics. I think this is because there are few opportunities to feel that politics is relevant to their lives. But in reality, our very lives are the result of how Japanese politics is conducted, and we are living within that system right now. To live without that awareness is tantamount to not being able to take responsibility for our own country's politics, even though we live in a democracy. Therefore, I want to change this situation, starting with education. Specifically, I want to become a national public servant and gain experience in the field where politics happens. Eventually, my goal is to take the lead in changing political education in Japan. To achieve that dream, I want to make every day of my campus life fulfilling.