On October 23rd, the University of Nagoya and the University of Oxford co-hosted a workshop titled “Research on Organised Crime: Methodological Strategies.” Professor Dai Yokomizo (Nagoya University) delivered the opening address, welcoming both speakers and the audience. He provided an overview of Nagoya University’s history and highlighted the significant challenge posed by organised crime. The workshop was moderated by Professor David Green (Nagoya University), who introduced the first panel, focused on the use of trial documents.The panel began with Niles Breuer’s (University of Oxford) presentation on using Japanese trial documents and social network analysis to study drug importation into Japan. Following this, Dr. Zora Hauser (University of Oxford) discussed the risks and opportunities of using trial documents, emphasising the importance of understanding who and why write these documents to understand how they can be used. Dr. Qiaoyu Liao (University of Oxford) concluded the session by discussing coding strategies of judgement data, explaining both the advantages and pitfalls of using AI in this type of research.The first afternoon session explored organised crime in the UK, Italy, and Japan. Shane Roberts, from the UK Home Office, outlined the “Clear – Hold – Build” strategy that he developed, which has been implemented in various regions of the UK. Professor Francesco Calderoni (Cattolica University) presented on the global presence of mafias, drawing from Italian police documents. Dr. Andrea Giovannetti (Australian Catholic University) shared insights from his ongoing study on the economic impact of yakuza offices in Japanese neighbourhoods.The final panel addressed qualitative interviews. Dr. Emilia Ziosi (University of Oxford) opened the session with a presentation on the challenges and future of conducting interviews online. Jack Warburton (University of Oxford) followed with a discussion of his experiences conducting fieldwork in the UK. Finally, Dr. Martina Baradel (University of Oxford) reflected on the role of trust in fieldwork, examining the risks and rewards of building long-term relationships with respondents during in-depth research.Professor Sean McGinty (Nagoya University) concluded the event with closing remarks, praising the workshop as an enriching experience and a valuable opportunity for networking among scholars.The event was made possible with support from the University of Nagoya, University of Oxford, the European Commission, CRIMGOV, and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation. It provided an excellent platform for researchers from various universities to exchange ideas on research challenges of organised crime research, with hopes for future events to further foster collaboration between Nagoya University, the University of Oxford, and other institutions worldwide. 

The Graduate School of Law is holding a workshop in conjunction with Oxford University called “Research on organized crime: methodological strategies”, on October 23. We are hosting a number organized crime researchers who not only will discuss some of their more recent projects, but will also be focusing on their somewhat diverse and unique research methodologies. This workshop is intended mainly for students who are interested in hearing about different types of research methodologies and how they could be implemented, looking at a somewhat unique and interesting topic that is traditionally difficult to research.Date & Time: October 23, 2024 at 10:30-16:15 (three consecutive sessions with breaks in between)Venue: Asian Legal Exchange Plaza (Graduate School of Law), conference room 221Advance registration is not required. 

We are excited with very delightful news from Cambodia that Professor Dr. HAP Phalthy, the Graduate of the Graduate School of Law, Nagoya University has been recently appointed as Vice-Rector or Vice-President of the Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE) through a Sub-decree No. 684 effective from July 2024.Before his appointment as Vice-Rector, Prof. HAP was the Director of the Graduate School at RULE. He was granted the title as “Professor” by His Majesty the King of the Kingdom of Cambodia according to Royal Decree No. 0723/1570 dated 20 July 2023.He obtained the Master of Laws and Doctor of Laws from Nagoya University, Japan in 2007 and 2010 respectively. His specialized area is Land Law. Prof. HAP had been working as a group leader collaborating with JICA on Japanese Technical Cooperation for the Legal and Judicial Development Project (phase 4) from August 2012 to March 2017 and he has been the member of working group for Sample Form for phase 5 which started from 2017 to 2022. He also plays a crucial role in Internal Quality Assurance Committee for RULE in order to write the self-assessment report for a pilot assessment conducted by the Accreditation Committee of Cambodia (ACC) in late 2015. He has also served as an assessor for ACC since 2016. More remarkably, Prof. HAP has involved with many international institutions for research and quality assurance, such as Korea Legislation Research Institute (KLRI) and ASEAN University Network (AUN). He as been a Steering Committee member of AUN-University Social Responsibility and Sustainability (AUN-USR&S) which is based in the National University of Malaysia since 2012. Prof. Hap has also served as a county representative of ASEAN Quality Assurance Association from 2023. He has been teaching Civil Law, Property Law, Land Law, Business Law, and Research Methodology. His main ambition is to see high quality education of all students.

A workshop (hybrid) took place at Nagoya University Graduate School of Law, titled “Cross-Border Legal Aspects of Digital Platforms,” on May 27th (Monday). Moderators: Professor Dai Yokomizo, Professor Yoshiko NaikiDuring the workshop, Professor Alain Strowel (Professor at UCLouvain, Munich IP Law Center, University of Alicante (IP Master)) presented his research on the topic: “EU Regulation of Online Platforms: Will the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act have cross-borders effects?” leading to an enthusiastic discussion among others on relationship of both acts.Professor Chin-Fu Lin (Professor of Law at National Tsing Hua University) presented his research on the topic: “Digital Platforms and AI: The Roles and Limits of the Transparency Principle,” followed by a lively exchange of ideas on defining the transparency principle, as well on difference between AI’s safety issues and AI’s risk related issues.As a result of the workshop, collaboration with scholars from the EU and Taiwan highlighted the potential for joint research on digital platforms. Plans are underway for future in-person or hybrid workshops and symposiums, fostering active research exchange. This workshop served as a vital forum, creating opportunities for future research endeavors.The workshop was organized and funded by the JSPS research project “The Establishment of a Regulatory Framework Corresponding to the Cross-border Nature of Transactions in a Digital Platform” (project leader: Dai YOKOMIZO).

On March 25, Mr. Davronbek Ubaydullaev, a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Law, was awarded Nagoya University President's Award in the category of "Commitment to Extracurricular Activities". The Award was presented for his efforts in supporting dormitory residents and activities for enhancing Resident Assistant activities within the university, as well as his contributions to international exchange activities outside the university.Congratulations, Mr. Davronbek Ubaydullaev!

We held the Graduation Ceremony Spring 2024 on March 25.Thirty-one master's students and one doctoral student were conferred their degrees.Vice Dean of the Graduate School personally awarded each student a diploma in turn.Congratulations on your graduation. We wish you all the best for the future.The number of doctor graduates by nationality is as follows.・Japan 1The number of master’s graduates by nationality is as follows.・China 17・Japan 14

Congratulations to Narimen Lahmidi (NUPACE), Eve Beazley (NUPACE), Tseesuren Khatanbaatar (LLM), Dulasha Don Jayawardanage (G30 Law), for emerging as the champions of the 17th Vis Moot Japan!The 17th Vis Moot Japan is a preparatory moot for the Vis Moot, which is the world’s preeminent moot that centres on international commercial arbitration. In addition to the team’s excellent results at the competition, Eve Beazley also won the Best Oralist Award in the English Division.After taking part in the preparatory competition, the team represented Nagoya University at the 21st Willem C. Vis East International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Hong Kong. The competition saw a total of 140 teams participating from universities across the world.The team gained invaluable experience and demonstrated excellent presentation skills. As a result, Eve Beazley received an Honorable Mention for the Best Individual Oralist.The team would like to thank Prof. Colombo and Prof. Yokomizo for their constant and generous support. The team also expresses their gratitude to their coaches, Dmytro Izotov (LLM) and Nguyen Quang Anh (PhD), for their guidance and invaluable advice.This activity is financially supported by the Shinnippon-Hoki Foundation.

 We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Nagoya University Ius Commune Prize is now open for applications.Please visit <https://www.law.nagoya-u.ac.jp/kikin/commune_App.html> for details.