Student Voice

How did you find out about the LLM program, and what attracted you to pursue it?

The LL.M. in Global Legal Practice is a new addition to the various law courses of Keio University Law School. I am highly satisfied to complete the degree from Keio University because it has fulfilled my dream to earn special knowledge about global legal issues in the contemporary world. The degree has been designed so that the students become well-equipped with legal knowledge essential for practicing in the international legal arena. The courses offered for completion of the degree perfectly match with the requirement of practicing in the international arena. The variety of courses offered for the degree is very rich for quality legal education, which is absent in many developing countries in Asia. I have enjoyed taking the courses under the category of "Law and Development in Asia" such as Introduction to Asian Law, Law, Culture, and Development in Asia, Japanese Law (Legal History and Transformation), Japanese Law (Administrative Law and Regulatory Policy) ,etc. These courses have provided me with huge knowledge about the birth of many Asian countries, their legal systems, administration, development, culture, international policy, etc. What attracted me most to pursuing the LL.M. in Global Legal Practice course from Keio University is the standard of faculty. The professors teaching law courses at the university are highly qualified in their respective teaching area. They have experience of working in the legal field of different jurisdictions in different countries and are famous international figures. My research instructor Professor Hiroshi Matsuo is well known in my country as an expert on Asian Law. I am extremely lucky to be a student under his supervision and guidance.

 

Please tell us about your most memorable class, along with the reason why.

The most memorable class during my study as a Keio student must be the first class of International Commercial Transaction course, taught by Professor David G. Litt. It was the first class of Fall 2020 semester. Due to the pandemic, I was attending classes remotely from my home in Bangladesh. It was early in the morning in winter at 6.00 A M in Bangladesh when the class started. I left my bed early to prepare for the class, keeping in mind that Japan is three hours ahead of Bangladesh. The first class was introductory, but without spending much time with introduction, our professor started talking about basic ideas of international commercial transactions. The subject matter discussed in the class was very helpful for many other courses because in some ways or other, they were relevant to almost every course. The class is the most memorable one because it was very hard to attend the class early morning in winter with my whole body shaking with low temperature.

 

What do you enjoy about life at Keio?

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, I had to complete the course through virtual classes, staying in Bangladesh. I missed the face-to-face classes and direct attachment with my honorable professors. However, I was always connected with our professors, students, and the Keio University staff at our department. Although I stayed in Bangladesh, I sometimes felt like I was on my campus in Tokyo. Before each of the classes, the professors used to send reading materials in advance for students' preparation. The reading materials mainly were from highly recognized law journals or books. In addition to those materials, I always tried to find out similar law books or articles available on the e-library of Keio University.

 

What are your plans after you finish your studies at Keio? What do you think you will take with you from this experience?

I shall always try to develop the legal system of Bangladesh by applying what I have learned from Keio University. Besides, I am planning to write a book on the Japanese Legal System and what I have learned from the university. This kind of book will be highly appreciated in Bangladesh because there is hardly any book in the market on comparative legal studies written by any Bangladeshi writer. The purpose of writing the book is twofold. Firstly, I want to let the world know about the rich legal system of Japan and how the country became so developed within a very short period after the war. Secondly, I want to continue my legal studies on Asian Law and Development, and writing such a book will help me continue with what I have studied at the university.

 

Any advice for prospective LLM students? How would you recommend the Keio LLM program to the students?

Many students from developing countries in Asia and other regions of the world cannot pursue quality legal education from the UK, USA, Australia, Canada or other developed countries for lack of financial support. I would like to honestly advise them to come to Japan and pursue an LL.M. degree from Keio University Law School with affordable fees for tuition, accommodation, and other expenses.

 

(This interview is from August 2021.)