The Faculty of Law traces its roots to the Department of Law in the University section established by Keio Gijuku in 1890, and this year we are celebrating 125 years of tradition. The current Department of Politics, which was founded in 1898 as the Faculty of Political Science, was merged with the Department of Law under the 1918 University Ordinance to form the current Faculty of Law. Many alumni of both departments have become leaders in various sectors of society, including, of course, the corporate world, the legal profession, public service, journalism, and international organizations.

Throughout history, people have accumulated a vast store of knowledge to enrich their collective existence. While the current era of global recession is a time in which the roles and functions of societies and nations are drastically changing, on the other hand, due to this very fact, radical inquiry rooted in the fundamental nature of mankind as a “social animal” is needed.

While laws are the backbone of society and national organizations, they are created by political powers at specific times. The study of law confirms the status of human rights and the realization of the freedoms of those who live within its system, and coordinates competing values within a fluid international state of affairs. Political science seeks to draft and evaluate actual policies based on the values and principles of the times from a comprehensive viewpoint. In English, a politician or Diet Member is sometimes called a “lawmaker,” a term that integrates the meaning of learning in our Faculty of Law, which encompasses both of these disciplines.

If you bring your own hopes and dreams with you when you enter university, your time will be full of wonderful experiences and discoveries. We, the staff of the Faculty of Law, are standing by to assist you in your unceasing efforts to study, discuss ideas, and widen your circles of friendship and exchange.

Professor Juro Iwatani

The Faculty of Law consists of the Department of Law and the Department of Politics. Studies of law and political science are closely interrelated as disciplines essential for the formation of society. The Department of Law specializes in the discipline of law while providing political science courses as well. Likewise, the Department of Politics concentrates on political science while also providing courses on law. Making law the basis for rules in society requires legal students with a well-rounded education–knowledge of law and political science is not sufficient to that end. Therefore, we have a third pillar of education at the Faculty of Law–a curriculum for students of both departments, comprising a wide range of liberal arts and natural sciences courses, such as history, philosophy and subjects related to medicine and science and technology, among others, as well as foreign language courses. We strive to nurture students who have an international perspective and a strong sense of social responsibility. We expect these qualities will enable our students to go on to succeed at the front line of society not only as specialists but also as generalists and internationally-minded persons.

A university is a place to discover new knowledge. It is also a place to develop your thoughts and enhance your imagination. With knowledge gained through lectures, discussions and readings, you can explore new ideas and imagine what you have never experienced. This will promote your creativity and your passion for your own life development.
Visualizing what might follow prepares you for the future. In your daily life, you can think forward and imagine the consequences of your own decisions. You can reflect and envision how your action or words might influence others. You will become a better communicator and problem solver, but also your imagination can make you more considerate, compassionate and caring.
Imagine yourself five or ten years from now. What kind of person do you see yourself to be? If you can imagine the possibilities of the future, then you will be able to make wise choices of what to learn and how to realize your dreams. Yukichi Fukuzawa remarked that education, “instructs men in the principles of independence and self-respect, and enables them to form plans for putting the principles into practice.” Learning to be independent and building self-esteem through wise actions is just the beginning of your university education. From learning you proceed to imagining; from imagining you become inspired to strive for a better future for yourself and for our world.

Professor Akiyo Okuda