Alumni 修了生の声
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Mr. SHEN Kaiyuan
Graduated in March 2023
Career: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation (Intellectual Property Div., Intellectual Property Dept.)
Current work
[Job Description]
My position is about the management of intellectual property in the analytical division of the company, and the main products are industrial XRF Analysis, Mass Spectrometer, etc. The languages I am using in the current workplace are Japanese, English, Chinese (8:1:1).
[Main Duties]
① Collaborate with the R&D department of the company to find suitable inventions for patent application, and investigate new R&D projects to ensure that there is no infringement on other companies.
② Contact with patent offices to commission and confirm patent applications in Japan and other countries.
③Respond to rejections from the patent offices in Japan and other countries, and follow up on the patent applications.
[Daily work at home]
Now I work mainly at home and go to the office 1 or 2 times a month.
7:00 Get up, watching YouTube, listening to music or professionally related studies news before work
8:50 Check emails to identify work and meetings to be done today
10:00 Department meeting(Teams)
11:50 Lunch time (I usually go to the fast food restaurant nearby)
12:45 Continuing to work on the conference materials and the patent office comments to be responded to
14:00 Meeting with R&D colleagues to discuss patent applications for new products(Teams)
15:00 Continue with the work at hand.
17:30 It's time to get off work, briefly summarize the day's work in Teams group
How the Kobe University LL.M. and studies in the Global Master’s Program have been beneficial for career
[Course contents]
① During the two years of study, you can be exposed to many common law courses. There are excellent teachers in different legal directions. You can always find a teacher suitable for your research direction.
② This course will also provide opportunities for internships in off-campus law firms and opportunities for mooting competitions. I interned at a patent law firm in Osaka for a month, and I was able to observe and learn the daily work of the law firm up close, which is also relevant to my current job.
[About applying for jobs in the intellectual property department of enterprises]
As mentioned by Ms. YAMAKAWA Shoko (山川尚子先輩), who graduated previously, it is difficult to find a job in corporate legal affairs, especially for foreigners who have graduated from liberal arts.
I previously graduated with an undergraduate degree in engineering and had technical work experience. I also thought that if I couldn't find a job in intellectual property, I would go back to the technical field.
But Kobe University provides us with a good platform. If you are interested in the direction, please try more and work harder. Use the school's career center to visit OBs and OGs. There are also seniors who graduated from Kobe University in my department, and we will try our best to answer your questions.
[Updated 26 March 2024]
Mr. Kosit PRASITVEROJ
Graduated in September 2020
Career: LS Horizon Limited (Administrative and Constitutional Laws Practice Group and Dispute Resolution Practice Group)
Current work
At present, I have worked as an associate at Administrative and Constitutional Laws Practice Group and Dispute Resolution Practice Group at LS Horizon Limited, one amidst the leading regional law firm based in Thailand. My main responsibilities include public law dispute resolution and arbitration. The former normally involves a litigation at Administrative Courts, ranging from challenging a broad spectrum of administrative actions to pursuing a claim based on an administrative contract; moreover, I also challenge a constitutionality of a legislation at Constitutional Court. As to the latter, titularly, I also represent clients from a myriad of industries and jurisdictions in arbitration and arbitration-related litigation. Furthermore, I advise a foreign investor on investor-state arbitration as well. In addition to legal practices, I was invited to give several lectures at Thammasat University, for instance, the lectures on arbitration agreement and public dispute procedure laws.
How the Kobe University LL.M. and studies in the Global Master’s Program have been beneficial for career
As alluded to in Current Work, my responsibilities encompass arbitration. In this regard, GMAP immensely partook in shaping my foundation and holistic knowledge apropos arbitration, paving beneath me a road to reach practical and academic milestones. During my study, I enrolled in certain arbitration-related courses, for instance, commercial arbitration in practice in which Professor James Claxton has shared his insightful knowledge on both theory and practice in relation to commercial arbitration, which allowed me to get a glimpse—yet thorough—of how arbitration practically operates beforehand, thereby causing me to be sufficiently equipped with the adequate armaments even prior to when I enter a real arbitration arena. Thanks to GMAP, I was funded to attend international commercial arbitration moot competition and internship at UNCITRAL. Once more, my knowledge in arbitration was thereby strengthened more than ever.
Moreover, my concentration at GMAP lies upon investor-state arbitration. With the relevant courses in which I enrolled, significantly coupled with the kind supervision from Professor Dai Tamada, whose expertise in investor-state arbitration is renowned, I was able to be cognisant of the overall structure of investor-state arbitration of which each specific part appears to scatter across various fields, which are indeed too labyrinthine to cope up with devoid of proper lecture and guidance. In addition, my thesis on corruption in investor-state arbitration allowed me to indulge in certain particular issues and reiterate my passion in this field. Fortunate enough, once I recommenced my job as a lawyer, I was endowed with an opportunity to avail myself of the knowledge on investor-state arbitration gained from GMAP, which seems to be a rare and esoteric field, occurring once in years, with which most of Thai lawyers may be unfamiliar.
All in all, it is not an exaggeration to conclude that GMAP has not only contributed to most of crucial factors towards my career path, but also escalated it to a position I dared not envisaged before. Therefore, it is highly recommended for those who is interested in, particularly, international dispute settlement. Indeed, GMAP can provide you with everything ones need to become a good international dispute settlement lawyer.
[Updated 10 August 2021]
Ms. CHEN Xueying
Graduated in March 2020
Career: Office of Global Business Administration, Air Water Inc.
Current work
I am currently working in the Office of Global Business Administration in a Japanese company. The role of my department is to create a global governance structure for overseas business operations, involving establishing different global regulations for the management of overseas subsidiaries. I am now in the business audit team, working on the regulation implementation and risk management, and preparation for the coming audit activity. The languages I am using in the current workplace are Japanese, English, Chinese (6:3:1).
How the Kobe University LL.M. and studies in the Global Master’s Program have been beneficial for career
[Language] Kobe University LL.M. provides me with a chance to pursue my further study on international business law in Japan even though I did not speak Japanese at the beginning. While I studied law I was able to take time to improve my Japanese in a Japanese-speaking environment, either by self-study or with the help of teachers from the International Student Center. Meanwhile, the invited professors in GMAP are renowned scholars from worldwide. Discussion and presentation in classes, and preparation of memorandum and thesis help improve my English speaking and writing skills. Besides, I was offered guidance and advice on legal English from professors. I am still keeping those handouts and learning materials for reference.
[Experience] Due to the limited number of students in GMAP, the educational resources allocated to each student are tremendous. During my 2-year study as a GMAP student, I was offered chances and financial support to gain practical legal experiences by participating in moot court competitions and internships. I visited Vienna and Cambodia to participate in arbitration moot competitions there and was able to explore those places as a learner rather than a tourist. Such valuable experiences enhanced my global mindset and enriched my student life. I was also given the opportunity for a 1-month internship in a Japanese law firm during the summer vacation.
[Working in Japan] I had a struggle choosing my first job. Although my present job position is not directly related to law, I have much more options for my future career since GMAP has increased my competitiveness. As more business entities in Japan start or continue to expand their global business due to the problems of ageing population and shrinking workforce, for students who are bilingual, or even multilingual, there are great opportunities to pursue a career in Japan. GMAP can be your starting point.
[Updated 4 February 2021]
Mr. Sooksun POPUN-NGARM
Graduated in September 2019
Career: Associate, Mori Hamada & Matsumoto Yangon office, Myanmar
Current work
I am now working as an associate at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, Yangon office. My main practice is commercial and corporate, involving general representation on a wide variety of corporate commercial matters in both cross-border and domestic transactions. I advise Japanese, Thai and foreign companies on the legal issues occurring in their day-to-day operations, including incorporation and management structuring, joint venture arrangements, mergers and acquisitions, labour issues, antitrust and anti-corruption laws and other legal compliances.
How the Kobe University LL.M. and studies in the Global Master’s Program have been beneficial for career
My current career path began at GMAP. I had planned to work for a Japanese law firm and GMAP helped me achieved what I was looking for. GMAP did not only offer me courses in law, but also in economics and business administration. This unique combination is very helpful for working in a law firm, which requires more than the knowledge of law. It offered me with a world-class education as I was taught by renowned professors coming from around the globe (UK, France, Germany, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc.) in fantastic facilities. GMAP also provided me with an opportunity for internship with Japanese law firms. As part of the programme, I was encouraged to apply for internship with GMAP’s network of professional contacts, including regionally well-known law firms and arbitration institutions. With a focus on alternative dispute resolution, I was fully supported by GMAP to join special trainings in mediation both in Japan and Singapore as well as mediation and moot court competitions in Hong Kong and the Netherlands. This valuable experience I had at GMAP helped me exceled at this field and went into the legal world with confidence.
[Updated 13 Nov 2019]
Ms. PAPHAWINEE TANASRIWATTANA
Graduated in March 2019
Career: Judge-Trainee, Court of Justice , Thailand
Current work
Prior to studying in Kobe, I had been working for Ministry of Justice (Thailand) as a legal officer in Bankruptcy Division, Legal Execution Department. The scope of my career was mainly to administer bankruptcy cases (individual, corporate as well as financial institution cases) which frequently entails other area of laws such as contract, corporate, sales of good and commercial law. In addition, I had got involved in the development of laws in my department as well as externally with other departments. Having graduated GMAP, I have passed the exam to be a judge. The scope of laws which I will have to apply in order to adjudicate cases is getting much more extensive including criminal law, competitive law and international law. In addition, I may have a chance to be a part of law development.
How the Kobe University LL.M. and studies in the Global Master’s Program have been beneficial for career
Kobe University Global Master’s Program or “GMAP” gave me an opportunity to study law in English surrounded by Japanese atmosphere. GMAP has provided multitude advantages for students.
First of all, GMAP is the center of academic stars since there are high-profiled professors from all over the world. Not only having a bunch of great faculty professors, GMAP also invites proficient scholars in myriad areas of law to be a lecturer in class or a panelist in academic seminar. Students have a chance to cultivate knowledge from various aspects in different jurisdiction as well as exchange their opinions with professors and classmates who have different background.
Secondly, all of the faculty professors and academic advisors are very competent and benevolent. At the beginning of semester, students will have a chance to choose and will be allocated to be supervised by an academic advisor according to their interested area of law. The academic advisor not only supports students on their thesis but also give an advice regarding how to select and register classes, how to live and where to go in Japan as well as any other topics that we could think of.
Thirdly, faculty staff is fluent in English and very helpful. It is not easy to live in Japan without high-level knowledge of Japanese language. However, with the staff’s support, everything becomes much easier. They are very generous and responsive; therefore, all of the encountered problems are resolved step by step simply. I felt like staff and professors have treated me like a family member.
No doubt, GMAP enhances my academic knowledge deriving from every class I have taken which might directly or indirectly involves my scope of career. However, the most important thing I have learned from GMAP is not the description of substantive law, it is the way of thinking: what is the approach and conception of the law and how to apply it. None of the classes have taught me to memorize, they instead coached me how to critically analyze. This is extremely advantageous for my career (no matter what career I am). In this recent borderless world, the ability to connect the dots and language skill is indispensable. GMAP gradually reinforced my legal english skill which is very essential to my career and invaluable to develop my expertise in any area of law in the future.
To be in short “I have never regretted to choose GMAP”.
[Updated 11 Nov 2019]
山川 尚子さん
2019年3月修了
勤務先・所属部署:パナソニック株式会社
（パナソニックIPマネジメント株式会社ライセンス部戦略企画課へ出向）
現在の仕事について
私はGMAP (Global Master’s Program) in Lawコースを修了後、パナソニック株式会社へ入社し、知的財産権に関する法務の仕事をしています。
現在所属しているライセンス部では、契約書を英語で作成したり、外国企業と英語で交渉したり、外国人の駐在弁護士と英語で会話したりと、英語を使って法律業務に取り組む機会が多々あります。毎週のように海外出張に行く先輩もたくさんいます。
正直なところ、入社前は、これほど業務で英語を使う機会があるとは思いませんでした。（パナソニックは大阪に本社を置く日本企業ではありますが、私が就職活動時に予測していた、いわゆる外資系企業・商社のレベル、頻度で英語を使っています。）
GMAPで学んだことで役に立っていること
GMAP in Lawコースで培った経験・スキルは、今の仕事に非常に役立っています。知的財産法の授業はなかったものの、法律英語の授業で学んだ、英米法体系の「契約法」、「訴訟、仲裁などの紛争解決手段」の知識は、まさに今の仕事に直結しています。米国判例を読んだり、英語でビジネスメールを書く練習をしたり、交渉のロールプレイングをしたりして身につけた「国際ビジネスにおける法務スキル」も役に立っています。
また、GMAPで2年間、修士論文、授業のレポート等を英語で書くことによって、法律英語の読み書きに慣れていなければ、英語の契約書を読むにも、作成するにも、もっと苦労していただろうと思います。
社会人になると自己啓発に使える体力、時間がなかなか確保できないので、国際ビジネス法・法律英語の素地をGMAPで身につけておいて良かったと痛感しています。
GMAP in Lawコースでの２年間がなかったら、英語での法律業務に、抵抗なく楽しんで取り組むことはできていなかったと思います。
企業法務に就きたいと思い、このHPをご覧になっている方へ
（僭越ながら）アドバイスを申し上げると、文系の大学院卒、かつ、法務に絞った就職活動はとても大変です。就職が比較的容易といわれている中、私の周りでは、泣く泣く就職活動の再チャレンジのために留年する人や、法務以外の職種に就職する人がほとんどでした。そもそも、法務職種を確約してくれる企業が少なく、「数年間は他の職種を経験した後に、（枠が空いていて、タイミングが合えば、）法務に異動できるかもしれない」と言う企業がほとんどです。少ない枠を勝ち取るためには、他の学生にはないアピールポイントを持っている必要があります。その点、GMAP in Lawコースでは、普通の大学院では経験できないことを、たくさん経験することができます。例えば、私は海外インターンシップとしてポーランドへ行き、コペルニクス大学で講師として日本語・日本文化の授業をしました。この「海外での就労経験」があるおかげで、「臨機応変な対応力」、「度胸」が付きました。
また、GMAP in Lawコースの授業は、世界各国から招聘された外国人の先生により行われるため、「グローバル視野で考える力」が身につくだけでなく、ディスカッションで多々自分の意見が求められることから、何事においても「自分なりの考えを持つ」ようになりました。
外国人のクラスメイトとの日常的な会話を通して必然的に「英語でのコミュニケーション能力」も身に付きました。（私の入学した当初は他に日本人がおらず、クラスメイトは皆外国人だったので、日本にいながら留学しているような環境でした。）
GMAP in Lawコースは、本当に力が付きます。今私がやりたい仕事に就けているのは、GMAP in Lawコースに入学したからです。実は学部卒業直前まで、ロースクールに進学するか、GMAP in Lawコースに進学するか、迷っていました。当時GMAP in Lawコースはできたばかりで、修了後の先輩の進路も参考にできない状態だったため、周りからは反対もされましたが、企業法務に弁護士資格は必須ではないし、むしろグローバル企業のビジネスには英語力が必須なので、今ではGMAP in Lawコースを選んでよかったと、心から思っています。
ビジネス界でグローバルに活躍したい方は、ぜひGMAP in Lawコースに入学を！
2019年11月11日更新
Mr. LI SHENGJUN
Graduated in September 2017
Career: Lawyer, King&Wood Mallesons, Guangzhou
Current work
After GMAP course, I am working as a lawyer at King&Wood Mallesons, which is a famous law firm. At King&Wood Mallesons I mainly deal with the legal issues relating to foreign investment, which needs not only legal profession but excellent foreign language ability.
How the Kobe University LL.M. and studies in the Global Master’s Program have been beneficial for career.
I really have got a lot of benefits from the Kobe University LL.M. and the GMAP course. Firstly, for improvement of the English ability, before taking the GMAP course I already could speak Chinese, Japanese, and Korean but could not speak English. When I first attended to the GMAP course I almost could not understand what the professor was saying in English in the classroom. However, the GMAP course provided tutoring classes for English improvement, which helped me keep up with the course and finally finish my graduation thesis in English.
The second benefits are the variety of courses, In the GMAP course professors came from different countries including Japan, the USA, the UK, China, Korea, Greece, Malaysia, etc. Because of this, I could understand how different the legal system is between these countries and the difference how people talk and think. This has given me assistance to easily deal with the legal issues related to foreign investment.
Lastly, for valuable internship opportunities, I have got two opportunities for internship when I was a GMAP’s student. First I went to the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board in Korea staying about 2 months, and then I went to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission in China for about 2 months. I learned how to deal with legal cases, prepare legal documents and deal with commercial arbitration from these internship opportunities which also assisted me to get my job from a famous law firm.
I am confident that if I did not take the GMAP course, I could hardly get the offer from King&Wood Mallesons, even though I have passed the Chinese bar examination. Thanks to the studies in the GMAP course, I could understand the wide variety of legal system and get the opportunities to contact the top academics and practitioners in law and business from different countries. In addition, I could go overseas to accumulate vast internship experience, and now I do speak Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English.
[Updated 11 Oct 2019]