Opportunities and Experiences of Legal Education in Japan: Perspectives from the Young Leaders' Program (YLP) in Law

Abstract

This article presents the author’s experience as a Thai public prosecutor who was selected to join the Young Leaders’ Program (YLP) in Law at Kyushu University, Japan, a scholarship program supported by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to develop new leaders in the Asian region with the potential to drive public policies in an international context. The article provides an overview of the International Economic and Business Law (IEBL) curriculum structure, compulsory and elective courses related to economic law, technology, and sustainability, a comparative internship, a thesis preparation process, an assessment system that emphasizes participation, analytical thinking, and a link to practical application, and presents perspectives gained from studying with international students. It also provides recommendations for future participants and suggests support from government agencies to bring knowledge from abroad back to develop the country tangibly. This article suggests that the YLP program not only enhances the potential of Thai public sector personnel but also helps build networks and opens up visions for participants in an international context.