Japanese Law – Flexible Continuing Education Programme (Relaunch 2024)

The New Continuing Education Programme

The continuing education programme “Foundations of Japanese law”, one of a kind in Europe, was relaunched in January 2024. The FernUniversität in Hagen has been offering a continuing education programme on Japan’s legal system for 35 years, initially at the Institute of Japanese Law and now at the Department of East Asian Law headed by Jun-Prof Dr Julius Weitzdörfer. For the 2024 relaunch, the programme has been fully updated in terms of content and has been supplemented with multimedia and interactive features as well as modernised teaching methods such as podcasts, videos, quizzes and live events, both online and in person.

The certificate programme covers public law, including criminal law, as well as Japanese private law, and allows students to focus on individual areas of interest by choosing elective modules, such as labour law or company law. Enrolment is possible at any time.

We hope to be able to offer all graduates of our three continuing education programmes full credit transfer opportunities as part of a planned LLM in East Asian Law.

The new continuing education programme offers the following advantages:

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Updated and expanded study materials with the latest case law and legislation, for the first time also including Japanese criminal law
Diploma of Advanced Studies certificate recognised by the Federal Ministry of Education in accordance with the German Qualifications Framework (DQR 7)
Full access to numerous legal databases
Interlibrary loan of approx. 6,000 volumes and 17 Japanese subscription journals from our extensive Japanese law library
Access to our network of experts and around 400 alumni worldwide as well as the right to participate in future exclusive study trips to Japan
Full flexibility in terms of location and time; start of programme at any time; knowledge of the Japanese language not required
Individual specialisation through elective modules and a self-selected research paper topic

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Japanese law studies are not a standard programme at German universities, even though Japan’s legal system can be a particularly interesting field of activity for German lawyers. This is closely connected to its history of origin: it is still a little known fact that current Japanese law is the result of a differentiated process of reception that began after the Meiji Restoration (1868), in which the tradition and insights of modern Western law were merged into an independent system characterised by the Japanese perspective by means of comparative law. Although German law played a significant role in this process, foreign law was by no means simply copied in Japan.

The study of Japanese law also makes sense for pragmatic reasons. Japan stands as the world’s third-largest economy, wielding significant political influence on the international stage. Serving as a strategic gateway to Asian markets – particularly China – it offers a distinct advantage over other countries in the region. As a reliable economic partner, Japan provides a stable legal, social and political framework that businesses can leverage to establish themselves across the continent. Ultimately, a solid understanding of the legal system remains a vital pillar for achieving sustainable commercial success.

Our certificate programme was developed in cooperation with leading Japanologists and legal scholars from renowned Japanese universities and provides sound, systematic and practical knowledge in key areas of Japanese law. Understanding is facilitated by comparisons with German law, emphasising significant similarities, differences and peculiarities of both legal systems. By including historical, social, political and economic background information, the Japanese understanding of law and insights into the functions of institutions and specific regulations in the Japanese legal system are also conveyed.
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded a university certificate with 40 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credit points. This is recognised by the German Federal Ministry of Education as a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in accordance with the German Qualifications Framework (DQR 7). The completion of additional elective modules can be included in your certificate with 10 ECTS credits each.

The standard period of study for the part-time graduate programme is two semesters. The programme consists of three basic modules as well as an online or hybrid final seminar covering all modules. Elective modules can be taken in addition to that.

After completing the basic modules, students can take the final seminar covering all modules each semester (10 ECTS). This involves writing a final paper about a (self-chosen) topic and giving a presentation about its contents as part of a hybrid final seminar.
The following core modules must be completed:

Module 0: Methodological Approach (10 ECTS)

Course unit CL – Introduction to Comparative Law

Module 1: Public Law (10 ECTS)

Course unit J1 – Japan: Society, Politics and Economy – Prof Ulrike Nennstiel (Hokusei Gakuen University) / Prof Werner Pascha (Emeritus at Universität Duisburg-Essen) / Dr Jan-Martin Wilhelm

Course unit J2 – Historical Background of the Private and Constitutional Legal System – Prof Junichi Murakami (Emeritus at University of Tokyo) / Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University)

Course unit J3 – Judicial System in the Past and Present – Prof Masasuke Ishibe / Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University)

Course unit J4 – Constitutional Law I: State Organisation Law – Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University) / Prof Tomoaki Kurishima (Saitama University)

Course unit J5 – Constitutional Law II: Fundamental Rights – Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University) / Prof Tomoaki Kurishima (Saitama University)

Course unit J6 – Criminal Law – Prof Keiichi Yamanaka (Kansai University)

Module 2: Private Law (10 ECTS)

Course unit J7 – Private Law I: Overview – Prof Kunihiro Nakata (Ryūkoku University)

Course unit J8 – Private Law II: General Part of the Japanese Civil Code – Prof Tamotsu Isomura (Kōbe University) / Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University)

Course unit J9 – Private Law III: General Part of Contract Law – Prof Kōji Tanaka (Chiba University) / Prof Zentaro Kitagawa (Emeritus at Nagoya Meijō-University Nagoya)

Course unit J10 – Private Law IV: Special Part of Contract Law – Prof Hiroshi Takahashi (Kōbe University) / Prof Kōji Tanaka (Chiba University)

Course unit J11 – Private Law V: Property Law – Prof Katsuyuki Wada (Kyoto University) / Prof Masaaki Yasunaga (Kōbe University) / Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University)

Seminar (10 ECTS)

The following optional modules can also be completed:

Elective module 3: Specialisation in Private Law (10 ECTS)

Course unit J12 – Family Law – Prof Yū Kamitani (Dōshisha University) / Prof Dr Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University)

Course unit J13 – Agency Without Specific Authorisation and Unjust Enrichment – Prof Tamotsu Isomura (Kōbe University) / Prof Kōji Tanaka (Chiba University)

Course unit J14 – Tort Law – Prof Ryōichi Yoshimura (Kyoto University) / Prof Kōji Tanaka (Chiba University)

Course unit J15 – Law of Security Interests – Prof Tsuneo Matsumoto (Emeritus at Hitotsubashi University) / Prof Kōji Tanaka (Chiba University)

Course unit J16 – Inheritance Law – Prof Yū Kamitani (Dōshisha University) / Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University)

Elective module 4: Specialisation in Labour Law (10 ECTS)

Course unit J17 – General Principles – Prof Satoshi Nishitani / Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University)

Course unit J18 – Collective Labour Law – Prof Satoshi Nishitani / Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University)

Course unit J19 – Individual Labour Law I – Prof Satoshi Nishitani / Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University)

Course unit J20 – Individual Labour Law II – Prof Satoshi Nishitani / Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University)

Course unit J21 – Individual Labour Law III – Prof Satoshi Nishitani / Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University)

Elective module 5: Specialisation in Commercial and Corporate Law (10 ECTS)

Course unit J22 – General Principles – Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University)

Course unit J23 – Public Limited Company Law I – Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University)

Course unit J24 – Public Limited Company Law II – Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University)

Course unit J25 – Foundations of Commercial Law – Prof Hans-Peter Marutschke (Emeritus at Dōshisha University)

Course unit J26 – Introduction to Japanese Tax Law – Martin Arnold
The modules mentioned above are thematically and chronologically self-contained. This organisational principle allows you to structure your studies in a clear and flexible manner and thus adapt the duration of your studies, your study times and, above all, the distribution of your workload to suit your individual needs. All modules of this continuing education programme are offered continuously and are tailored to ensure that they can be successfully completed within one semester. However, you are not restricted to semester times and can start and complete a module at any time.

At the core of the programme are detailed and comprehensive materials in German, which have been co-designed by renowned Japanese legal academics. The course materials (PDF files) are supplemented by podcasts, videos, literature references, translations of laws, etc. The files are made available exclusively online. Accessible files are in preparation.

Interactive learning content such as multiple-choice tests also helps to make the material more dynamic and gives you the opportunity to test yourself. In addition, the Department offers individual academic support through video consultations, online lectures and subject-related career counselling. The programme is complemented by regular information on public (online) events on Japanese law.
Students enjoy exclusive off-site access to extensive resources on Japanese law:
- Free access to the FernUniversität’s numerous legal databases (including BeckOnline, Juris, CrossAsia, and the Japanese TKC Law Library, as well as the online offerings of numerous specialised publishers such as Springer, Mohr-Siebeck and many more)
- Remote loan of 6,000 volumes from our Japanese law library (the most extensive freely available collection on Japanese law in Europe)
- Access to 17 Japanese-language subscription journals (journal subscription list)
We provide you with access to our international network of more than a dozen Japanese law professors – i.e., the authors of our course books – more than 400 alumni and several guest speakers every year. Our current team of six under the leadership of Prof Julius Weitzdörfer LLB Dipl Jur MA (Cantab), who joined the FernUniversität in Hagen from Harvard in 2020 and took over as head of the Department of Japanese Law, is always available to advise and support you.

Our guest lectures, seminars, symposia, get-togethers, and discussion events, which take place almost every month, provide an opportunity for conversation and networking. As an enrolled student, you can attend either in person at our campus locations (FernUniversität in Hagen Campus Locations) or online via livestream. It is also possible to access the recordings afterwards.

Since travel restrictions to Japan have been lifted, we are preparing to once again organise law study trips to Japan, just as we have done in the past. These are scheduled to include visits to the National Diet, the Supreme Court, Tokyo District Court, Fuchū Prison, and Kyoto Police Station. To this end, a faculty partnership with the Dōshisha Law School Kyoto was established in June 2024.
This programme is aimed at anyone who has a particular interest in Japanese law, either professionally or personally. Prior knowledge of law or knowledge of the Japanese language is not required. Our students include lawyers and trainee lawyers, legal advisors, company executives, Japanologists, interpreters and translators, and university graduates from other disciplines.
The “Foundations of Japanese Law” continuing education programme is open to anyone who
- has successfully completed a university degree (at a university or university of applied sciences) or
- has acquired the necessary aptitude through professional training (completed vocational training and employment in a relevant profession, e.g. judicial clerk, foreign language secretary, foreign trade clerk, interpreter, specialist for labour market services, notary clerk, patent attorney assistant, legal assistant, social security clerk, assistant tax consultant, administrative clerk).
The required professional aptitude is verified at the time of enrolment by the registrar’s office; in cases of doubt, the academic directorate will determine if the applicant’s professional qualifications are sufficient for admission. Information on this can be obtained by email at japanrecht. The examination regulations referred to below apply.
The standard fee for the continuing education programme is EUR 2,000 (payment in instalments possible). This includes access to the three core modules, including taking the final module examinations as well as support and participation in the concluding seminar, for up to five semesters. If you need more time for your studies after the end of five semesters, an additional fee of EUR 150 will be charged for each additional semester.

For students who have successfully completed seminar 55311 of the Master of Laws (LLM) programme at the FernUniversität in Hagen, the fees for the three basic modules of the continuing education programme are reduced by a quarter.

If you would also like to take one of the elective modules, a fee of EUR 500 will be charged for each module. You can re-register for an additional semester free of charge for each elective module you have taken. If you have already taken this continuing education programme in the past, you can resume your studies by taking one or more elective modules at this price, at no additional cost, and receive a new certificate.

According to the new examination regulations, as of 2025 the fee for the continuing education programmes on Korean and Taiwanese law can be reduced by 25% per credited module upon recognition (currently EUR 375 for the Taiwanese law programme; from 01.01.2027, EUR 500 for the Korean law programme). It is generally always possible to transfer Module 0 credits from other continuing education programmes to this one, but concluding seminars from other programmes cannot be credited.