Universität Wien

030479 KU Japanese Law in a Changing Society (2026S)

Examining Contemporary Legal Hot Issues in Japanese Society from a Comparative Law Perspective

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 3 - Rechtswissenschaften
Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung
Moodle

An/Abmeldung

Hinweis: Ihr Anmeldezeitpunkt innerhalb der Frist hat keine Auswirkungen auf die Platzvergabe (kein "first come, first served").

Details

max. 40 Teilnehmer*innen
Sprache: Englisch

Lehrende

Termine (iCal) - nächster Termin ist mit N markiert

  • Montag 18.05. 13:00 - 16:00 Seminarraum SEM41 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, 4.OG
  • Dienstag 19.05. 13:00 - 17:00 Seminarraum SEM63 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum 6.OG
  • Mittwoch 20.05. 13:00 - 17:00 Seminarraum SEM62 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum 6.OG
  • Donnerstag 21.05. 13:00 - 17:00 Seminarraum SEM41 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, 4.OG
  • Freitag 22.05. 13:00 - 16:00 Seminarraum SEM41 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, 4.OG

Information

Ziele, Inhalte und Methode der Lehrveranstaltung

This intensive course examines how Japanese law responds to rapid social change, focusing on constitutional reform, family law, criminal justice, artificial intelligence, and digital finance. Through comparative analysis with European and other legal systems, students will critically assess the distinctive features and contemporary challenges of Japanese law.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain key features of the Japanese legal system in its social and historical context;
- Critically analyze contemporary legal issues in Japan (e.g., constitutional reform, family law, criminal justice, AI, and digitalization);
- Compare Japanese legal responses with those in Europe and selected other jurisdictions;
- Formulate normative arguments on how law should respond to social change.
The course is conducted in a lecture-and-discussion format. Each session begins with a short lecture providing background on the Japanese legal context, followed by guided discussion among participants based on cases, statutory materials, and comparative perspectives.

Art der Leistungskontrolle und erlaubte Hilfsmittel

Final Written Examination (120 minutes): 70% + Class Participation: 30%
In the examination, students will be required to select and critically analyze several themes covered in the course (the specific themes to be addressed will be indicated during the classes), comparing the Japanese legal framework with those in Europe and other jurisdictions. Students may consult the reference materials indicated in the syllabus and the handouts distributed in class. The use of online searches, electronic devices, or AI tools during the examination is strictly prohibited.

Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab

see above.

Prüfungsstoff

The specific themes to be addressed will be indicated during the classes.

Literatur

- Supreme Court of Japan (English), Judicial System in Japan:https://www.courts.go.jp/english/judicial_sys/index.html
- Japanese Law Translation Database:
https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/
- Additional readings will be assigned before and during the course.

Zuordnung im Vorlesungsverzeichnis

Letzte Änderung: Mo 11.05.2026 15:05