Accelerate Your Global Legal Career with Kyushu University’s 1-Year LL.M. in International Economic & Business Law

Looking for a fast‑track master’s degree that combines cutting‑edge international business law with the everyday excitement of living in Japan’s “Gateway to Asia”? Kyushu University’s 12‑month LL.M. in International Economic & Business Law is an English‑taught program that has welcomed students from more than 40 countries since 1994. In this post we unpack the program, the city, and the career advantages that make Kyushu University (KU) an unbeatable choice for globally minded law graduates.

Why Fukuoka & Kyushu University Stand Out

Fukuoka is consistently ranked as one of Japan’s most livable cities thanks to its mild climate, compact layout, and legendary food stalls—yatai. Recent reports highlight its vibrant startup scene and street‑food culture (Condé Nast Traveler, 2025). For students, this translates into lower living costs and richer cultural immersion than Tokyo or Osaka. Kyushu University itself leapt to 52nd place in the latest Times Higher Education Asia rankings (2024 THE Asia Rankings) and sits within the global top 200 in the QS World University Rankings (QS 2026). The picturesque Itoshima beaches and Hakata’s international airport are less than an hour from KU’s sprawling Ito Campus, giving LL.M. students a lifestyle few law schools can match.

Program Snapshot: LL.M. in International Economic & Business Law

Curriculum Highlights

Taught entirely in English since its launch—Japan’s first of its kind—the program begins every October and finishes the following September. Students complete 20 credits across courses such as International Trade Law, Competition Law in Asia, Cross‑Border M&A, and a supervised master’s thesis (≈ 50 pages). Class sizes average 25, fostering close interaction with faculty who publish widely on WTO jurisprudence, ASEAN integration, and digital economy regulation (program overview).

Teaching Approach

Courses mix Socratic discussion with problem‑based workshops. Visiting professors from partner institutions in Europe, the U.S., and ASEAN deliver intensive modules, while local practitioners host on‑site sessions at law firms and corporations in Fukuoka. A signature “Legal Clinic Week” lets students advise entrepreneurs at the city’s startup hub.

Admissions, Fees & Key Dates

Applications typically open in November and close in early January for the following October intake. Required materials include an online form, bachelor’s transcript, two recommendation letters, proof of English proficiency (IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 79 or equivalent), and a 1,000‑word thesis proposal (application PDF). Interviews are conducted via Zoom for shortlisted candidates in February.

Cost Breakdown

Fee Type	Amount (JPY)
Application Fee	30,000
Admission Fee	282,000
Tuition (annual)	535,800

Figures are based on Kyushu University’s 2025 national‑university rates (Tuition & Fees page). Living expenses in Fukuoka average ¥100,000–¥120,000 per month for housing, food, and transport.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

• 문부과학성 장학금 – Up to seven LL.M. places are fully funded each year, covering fees and a ¥144,000 monthly stipend (MEXT details).
• JASSO 아너스 장학금 – ¥48,000 per month for selected self‑financed students (JASSO info).
• KU Alumni Association Grants – One‑time awards of ¥100,000–¥200,000 toward research travel.

Applicants are automatically considered for MEXT; other awards require separate forms after admission. Early preparation of recommendation letters greatly boosts scholarship success.

Career Outlook & Alumni Success

Graduates enter roles in BigLaw Tokyo offices, in‑house counsel positions at multinational tech firms, and policy units of organizations such as JETRO and the Asian Development Bank. Recent alumni have secured associate posts with firms in Singapore and Hong Kong focusing on cross‑border M&A, thanks to KU’s network of over 10,000 law alumni. The Career & Employment Center offers résumé clinics and on‑campus interviews each spring, while Fukuoka’s startup ecosystem provides internships in fintech and green‑tech ventures.

Bar Exam & Further Study

Although the LL.M. alone does not qualify you for the Japanese bar, credits can be transferred into KU’s two‑year Juris Doctor track, and the degree meets academic requirements for California’s bar exam (subject to individual transcript evaluation). Alumni also progress to Ph.D. research at KU and partner universities in Europe.