Kunifumi Saito Seminar

2021.04.26 / New Types of Jurisprudence, Practice of Law

The core of activities at SFC is the "Seminar." Faculty and students engage in cutting-edge research activities together, and students develop advanced expertise by tackling real-world problems.

The Kunifumi Saito Seminar covers a wide range of topics related to jurisprudence. Jurisprudence may have an image of being a monolithic, traditional discipline, but in reality, it consists of multiple specialized fields that are often siloed. For example, it is not uncommon for a Civil Code scholar and a constitutional law scholar to disagree on the interpretation of a judicial precedent. As a faculty member with a background as a legal practitioner who graduated from SFC's Faculty of Policy Management rather than a Faculty of Law, I am engaged in the New Types of Jurisprudence, which involves integrally interpreting laws from different fields. SFC is a place for interdisciplinary learning, so I hope that students who study law at SFC will maintain a broad perspective and value the viewpoint of "law in society."

Many students in the Saito Seminar aim to take the bar examination and go on to law school. Among them, students who have decided on their individual research topics will take Seminar 2 (Seminar Theme: The Practice of Problem-Solving Through Law), which is mainly based on discussions of research reports. Seminar 2 is structured to emphasize student autonomy, including the choice of research topics. On the other hand, students who have not yet decided on a research field will take Seminar 1 (Seminar Theme: The Judiciary as "Justice"), where they consider the role of the judicial system by examining current issues. The seminars are designed to ensure a solid learning experience while reflecting student interests, covering a wide range of areas within jurisprudence.

Past graduation projects have included topics related to the Civil Code, such as land with unknown owners and standard terms and conditions, as well as projects on online defamation. In the field of the Companies Act, some have tackled corporate governance and class shares. Themes related to criminal law have included the issue of confessions obtained through interrogations by investigative agencies and ethical dilemmas such as euthanasia and the death penalty system.

It was more of a standard approach than a unique one, but a study on the subject of copyright infringement in the field of intellectual property law was a masterpiece. Infringement of intellectual property rights has become a major social issue, but it is positioned as a relatively new area in jurisprudence, requiring consideration as a legal policy based on technological and business trends. In particular, I think it is a very SFC-like endeavor to tackle research on the creation and distribution of works, stemming from an awareness of issues gained through experience in artistic activities.

There was also a student who worked on research into legal development assistance for Asian countries. She left SFC after three years and skipped grades to enter the program for students with a law degree at the law school on the Mita Campus. Since there are professors at Mita who specialize in legal development assistance, I have high hopes for her further growth.

I am interested in the right of publicity (the right to restrict third-party use of a celebrity's name, likeness, etc., in products, advertisements, and so on). In Japan today, this right is not considered applicable after a person's death, but there is international debate as to whether anyone should be free to use the images of the deceased. In fact, the "Hibari Misora Revived by AI" segment at the 2019 Kohaku Uta Gassen sparked a great deal of controversy. I would like to support any student who wants to explore such unresolved issues in the seminar.

In addition to students who go on to law school, there are of course students who join private companies directly after graduation. Examples of employers include mass media and financial institutions. There are also students who take on the challenge of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination, and one student passed while still an undergraduate and began working at an audit firm without waiting to graduate. The Saito Seminar has only been established for four years, but its graduates have pursued a wide variety of career paths.

The main focus is on individual research, with other class time dedicated to discussions, exercises, and presentations. In discussions, after students exchange opinions on preliminary assignments and individual research, Professor Saito gives us strict and precise feedback, rather than sugarcoating his points.

For students aiming for law school or the bar examination, Professor Saito also holds extra study sessions after the seminar. He sometimes provides thorough one-on-one guidance, grading our exam papers and giving advice, which leads to a deeper understanding.

Although it is a seminar for research and discussion on law, its members range from students studying law with the aim of obtaining legal qualifications to those who became interested after taking law-related courses at SFC. Because students with diverse backgrounds are enrolled, the exchange of opinions and Q&A sessions during in-class discussions are fresh, interesting, and very lively. Also, since law is relevant to various fields, there was even a student who passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination while still enrolled.

Outside of class time, the professor invites legal practitioners and seminar alumni to give us opportunities to hear about current legal practice and job-hunting experiences. Extracurricular activities are also substantial, including visits to the Public Prosecutors Office and law firms.

He is a wonderful professor who provides thorough support not only for our research but also for consultations on extracurricular activities, career paths, and certification exams.

By joining the Saito Seminar, I have developed logical thinking skills. I also learned to consider counterarguments and formulate reasons for my own claims.

I also gained the ability to read case commentaries (papers that summarize and critique court rulings) and became more sensitive to current events related to law. For example, on the popular invitation-only audio SNS application "Clubhouse," copyright issues concerning the music used as BGM have become a topic of discussion. I find myself naturally reacting to such news, and I feel that my perspective on the world has changed.

There are also opportunities to learn how to search the "TKC Law Library," a legal database available for free to Keio students, and how to read legal literature. Compared to the Faculty of Law, where students study law consistently from the time of admission, it takes more time to write a thesis, but I was able to do so while supplementing my foundational and specialized knowledge.

At SFC, there are few people conducting research on law, so getting to know fellow students with the same interest is another moment when I'm glad I joined.

Because I (Morikawa-san) am researching copyright law, Professor Saito introduced me to an organization related to it. He also once planned a visit to a juvenile training school related to a student's research field, although it did not materialize due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also very supportive and attentive to students when it comes to advancing to law school.

In his column in "Juku" (No. 308, Autumn) , Professor Saito said, "Turning points in life come about through a confluence of various coincidences. As someone who witnesses these turning points for students, I want to remain true to my original intentions and face them with sincerity." I feel that this is why he proactively creates various opportunities for us students.

Kunifumi Saito, Associate Professor, Faculty of Policy Management, Keio Researchers Information System (K-RIS)

Everyone has their own reasons for studying law at SFC. Some start studying to aim for certification exams, while others realize its importance in the course of their business or creative activities. In any case, mastering jurisprudence means becoming proficient in the system of wisdom and institutions that forms the foundation of human society. For SFC students who envision designing and transforming society, law and contracts are indispensable practical tools. I want them to experience a breakthrough in the literal sense, where their studies broaden their horizons and open up their prospects in life. (Professor Kunifumi Saito)

All SFC students belong to a seminar, and the research results from it are a graduation requirement. Whether they haven't decided what they want to study upon admission or already have clear goals, all students can find something to be passionate about during their four years. SFC is a place where you can seize the abundant encounters and opportunities to gain experiences that will sustain you for a lifetime. And by the time you graduate, you will surely be glad you came to SFC.

(Airen Morikawa, 4th year, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies)

Interview and production cooperation: Takeo Kuwabara Seminar MC Team