2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses

Law (Constitutional Law) A

Academic unit or major: Humanities and social science courses
Instructor(s): Masayuki Shinojima
Class Format: Lecture
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms)
Class: -
Course Code: LAH.S101
Number of credits: 100
Course offered: 2026
Offered quarter: 3Q
Syllabus updated: Mar 5, 2026
Language: Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

[Summary]
This course offers:
Further knowledge of the provisions guaranteeing fundamental human rights in the Constitution, while considering various perspectives such as the interpretation of the provisions, their position in the Constitution as a whole, and how they are embodied in specific laws.
And
Basic methodology of legal thinking through interpretation and application of provisions of human rights.
[aim]
Constitution and other laws in the world are "tools" actually used in society.
The knowledge of the Constitution that you have learned in your educational curriculum may be also practically useful, but if you use laws properly some skills are required called "legal thinking."
Legal thinking will help you avoid and resolve conflicts in your social life and make it more comfortable.
Why not to deepen your knowledge of the Constitution and acquire the basics of "legal thinking" by actually using it?
This course focuses on two aims;
To learn further knowledge of the human rights provisions of the Constitution, which are indispensable for us to live with dignity as human beings.
To have some experience of legal thought, which will help you in your further lives, by practically interpreting and applying those provisions with case studies.
This lecture is also useful for those aiming to take various qualification exams, for example civil service exams, that include the Constitution and other laws as test subjects.

Course description and aims

To understand the overall structure of the Constitution and provisions of guarantee of fundamental human rights.
To understand the scope and limitations of human rights.
To acquire legal literacy using the Constitution as a material.
To acquire legal background using the Constitution as a material, and to derive and draft your own conclusions through legal syllogism in solving problems.

Student learning outcomes

実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)

Drawing on my professional experience as an attorney, I will explain the methodology of legal reasoning assuming the practical application of the Constitution and other laws in court procedures.
Since methodology can only be mastered through practice, the goal of this course is for students to produce "legal writing" as a final output.
Not only the knowledge of the Constitution but also legal syllogism and the techniques of drafting legal documents are essential in practice. Therefore, this course will be highly beneficial for those preparing for civil service exams or other professional qualification exams in Japan that include constitutional and legal subjects.

Keywords

the Constitution, Human rights, Culture

Competencies

Specialist skills
Intercultural skills
Communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

This course is designed for law beginners. The first half provides an overview of general legal principles and the overall structure of the Constitution. The middle and latter halves focus on general theories of fundamental human rights, followed by detailed discussions on specific human rights provisions. In parallel with constitutional theory, students will be instructed in the fundamentals of legal methodology, specifically "legal syllogism" and techniques for statutory interpretation. Each lecture will conclude with a case study assignment related to the topic (hints will be provided during class). To solve these cases, students are required to apply their constitutional knowledge through legal methodology and to document their reasoning process in writing. While submitting these assignments is optional and perfect answers are not expected, I strongly encourage participation. These exercises serve as essential training for the final examination and will help you acquire practical skills that will be valuable in your professional life. I look forward to your active participation.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	1. Guidance: Why is this class USEFUL? 2. Introduction to laws and the Constitution: What is the LAW? How to use?	1. Understand roles of laws and the Constitution in society 2. Try to imagine how to use laws CaseStudy:Try to use LEGAL SYLLOGISM
Class 2	1. Understanding PRINCIPLES of the Constitution: "Constitutionalism", "Rule of law", "Popular sovereignty" maintain human rights.　 2. Introductuion to interpretation of laws: What are roles of fundamental principals of laws?	1. Understand the philosophy behind the terms of the Constitution, referring to the history of the constitutional philosophy 2. Understand relationships between provisions and philosophical terms of constitusion CaseStudy:Try to adapt legal syllogism
Class 3	1. GENERAL DISCUSSION of human rights: COMMON subjects are important. 2. Learn basic Methodology of LEGAL INTERPRETATION: What does mean "interpretation of laws/the Constitution"	1. Read provisions of human rights, capturing arguments common with those provisions 2. Understand general information of legal interpretation CaseStudy: Try to draft interpretation of a provision
Class 4	1. Equality under the law, political freedom, and those boundaries I: Let's start studying EACH HUMAN RIGHT 2. How to interpret each provision of human rights? How does legal interpretation work in a form of a syllogism?	1. Comprehend arguments related with equality under the law and freedom of conscience and thought. 2. Understand methodology and roles of setting a standard of constitutionality by interpretation CaseStudy: Try to document legal interpretation of the Constitution
Class 5	1. Political freedom and boundaries II: "FREEDOM of EXPRESSION" is here 2. Can you imagene entire body of documentation written in a form of a syllogism with interpretation of the Constitution?	1. Comprehend arguments of freedom of speech 2. Understand entire process of legal solution used interpretation of constitutionality in a form of syllogism CaseStudy:Try to resolve a legal case by using interpretation of the Constitution
Class 6	1. Economical freedom, "Due process of law", social human rights and those boundaries; Constitotioal interpretation under REAL economy and society 2. Practice methodology of legal thiking by each human right provision	1. Comprehend arguments of each human right 2. Understand the ideals and interpretation methods unique to each human right provision, and organize the consepts for legal thinking CaseStudy: Try to resolve legal cases regarding various human rights using interpretation in a form of syllogism
Class 7	1. Right to access to public service, right to vote and concepts of "New human rights" 2. Whati is the application of legal thiking useful for your future life.	1. Comprehend arguments of each human right. 2. Prepare for the final examination
Class 8	Summary of my class and FINAL EXAM （In case of face-to-face class)

Study advice (preparation and review)

To enhance effective learning, it is recommended to read the corresponding part of the textbook in advance with referring to the course material. Most effective way for review is to make documentation using legal methodology you learned when you answer case studies.
ATTENTION; you could not understand laws and legal mind just by reading textbooks.

Textbook(s)

[Please read the part corresponding to the lecture content in advance.]
Nobuyoshi Ashibe (Kazuyuki Takahashi) “Constitution (8th edition)” (2023, Iwanami Shoten) (Japanese)

Reference books, course materials, etc.

[For beginners]
Supervised by Akira Ikegami, original work by Masanori Kadowaki, drawing by Hiroki Subiki "Manga Our Japanese Constitution" (2019, Shuei-sha)(Japanese)
George Shishido et al. "Human Rights for 18-Year-Olds (2nd Edition)"(2020, Horitsu Bunka Sha)(Japanese)
[For students learning more]
Naoto Katagiri et al. "Introduction to the Constitution to One Step Ahead (2nd Edition)" (2021, Yuhikaku)(Japanese)
Toshiyuki Munesue et al. “Case Book of Fundamental Human Rights: To the World of the Constitution (7th Edition)” (2024, Yuhikaku Selection)(Japanese)

Evaluation methods and criteria

Grading is based on the final exam, with additional credit given for class participation and/or case study assignments. Details will be provided in class.
ATTENTION: In case of online, the 8th lecture will not be held.

Related courses

LAH.S201 ： Law (Constitutional Law) Ｂ
LAH.S301 ： Law (Constitutional Law) C
LAH.S102 ： Law (Civil Law) A

Prerequisites

Whoever interested in the Constitution or laws is welcomed.
I personally recommend my course to everyone who wishes to train to make documents reasonably and effectively

Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).

Mail snjmwid[at]deluxe.ocn.ne.jp
TEL 03-5422-1575

Other

The Constitution of Japan is surely a rule regulating our lives as the same of other laws, though it is often argued in political aspect in our country. I recommend to attending to my class because knowledge of the Constitution surely make you develop a sense of basic legalmind useful in your social life.
Also, to think legally and to describe the process your thiking will be useful for your academic life and future.
PLEASE NOTE: Regular attendance and active participation in case studies are crucial for this course. Without consistent practice, it is highly likely that your legal reasoning and argumentation skills will not reach the required proficiency level.