The 20 Best Universities in Japan to Study Law in 2026

The University of Tokyo leads the ranking compiled by Impact Lawyers, followed by Kyoto University and Waseda University.

How the ranking was compiled

The University of Tokyo tops the first edition of the Impact Lawyers ranking of the best universities in Japan to study Law. Kyoto University and Waseda University occupy second and third place, respectively, while Keio University, Hitotsubashi University and Osaka University complete the top six.

In preparing this classification, Impact Lawyers combined data available from three international academic references: the QS World University Rankings by Subject in Law and Legal Studies, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject in Law and the SCImago Institutions Rankings for Law.

The QS ranking for Law and Legal Studies places particular emphasis on academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations and scholarly impact.

Times Higher Education analyses teaching quality, the research environment, scholarly output, institutional collaboration and international outlook. SCImago provides a third perspective based primarily on research, innovation and the social impact of universities.

This quantitative information was supplemented by a qualitative review of the public information provided by the institutions themselves. The analysis covered their faculties of Law, professional law schools, curricula, teaching methods, research centres, international programmes, professional outcomes and preparation for Japan’s national legal qualification examination.

This qualitative dimension is especially important in Japan. International academic rankings evaluate research and global reputation, but do not always reflect a university’s ability to prepare students for the demanding national pathway leading to practice as a lawyer, judge or public prosecutor.

A methodology adapted to the Japanese system

The three rankings used do not publish individual positions for the same universities. Japanese institutions frequently appear within ranking bands, while several law schools with extraordinary domestic professional influence do not appear in every international table.

Impact Lawyers therefore converted the global results into relative positions among Japanese universities. When an institution appears within a band, the midpoint of that interval was used. When it does not appear in one of the rankings, a proportionate and transparent penalty was applied instead of automatically treating the absence of data as an absence of quality.

The quantitative classification was supplemented by five qualitative dimensions:

• National and international academic reputation.
• Quality and impact of legal research.
• Strength of the undergraduate Faculty of Law and professional law school.
• Performance in access to the legal professions and connections with the employment market.
• Internationalisation, English-language programmes and opportunities for specialisation.

The editorial review was not used to alter the order arbitrarily. Its purpose was to interpret the differences among the rankings and prevent a university’s overall institutional position from replacing a specific assessment of its legal education.

The elements examined included civil, constitutional, criminal, commercial, administrative, labour and international law; practical education; preparation for the national examination; connections with courts, law firms, companies and public authorities; interdisciplinary research; and the incorporation of subjects such as artificial intelligence, intellectual property, data protection and technology regulation.

The University of Tokyo, Japan’s leading legal institution

1. University of Tokyo

The University of Tokyo occupies first place because of its combination of academic prestige, research, institutional influence and ability to place graduates in the most important positions within Japan’s legal system.

Its Faculty of Law originated from institutions established during the 1870s and has since played a central role in the teaching and study of Law and politics in Japan, according to the university’s official information.

The institution has educated numerous judges, prosecutors, senior public officials, politicians, academics and lawyers. Its proximity to the country’s principal state institutions and leading Tokyo law firms further strengthens the professional opportunities available to its students.

The programme is characterised by its theoretical rigour and strong education in the principal areas of Japanese law. The university is also particularly prominent in public law, commercial law, jurisprudence, legislative policy and international relations.

Its Graduate Schools for Law and Politics expand this offering through advanced research and programmes connecting Law with political science, economics and public administration.

Tokyo’s first place is not explained solely by its position in international rankings. It also reflects the university’s sustained influence over public policymaking, legal scholarship and the country’s institutions.

Kyoto University, research and intellectual independence

2. Kyoto University

Kyoto University occupies second place. Its Faculty and Graduate School of Law are recognised for their academic rigour, research strength and university culture, which places particular importance on intellectual independence.

The institution has a strong tradition in jurisprudence, constitutional law, civil law, international law and political thought. Its model is especially attractive to students interested in research, university teaching or a deep understanding of the foundations of the legal system.

Kyoto offers a more concentrated academic environment and is less directly connected to Tokyo’s corporate market. This may be an advantage for students who prioritise intellectual reflection and research over immediate proximity to the largest commercial law firms.

Its national prestige, the quality of its faculty and the influence of its graduates in the judiciary, academia and public sector justify its second position.

Waseda, the highest-ranked private university

3. Waseda University

Waseda University occupies third place and ranks as the leading private university in the classification.

Its legal tradition, extensive alumni network and connections with the political, business and professional life of Tokyo make it one of the country’s most influential institutions.

Waseda combines a general Faculty of Law with a professional law school specifically focused on advanced legal education and access to the legal professions. Its Waseda Law School conducts teaching and research activities for both Japanese and international students.

The university stands out for the breadth of its programmes, the diversity of its academic community and its commitment to internationalisation. It also offers English-language postgraduate programmes related to Asian economic integration, international law and emerging legal fields.

Its position ahead of several national universities reflects its combination of academic prestige, employability, international reach and the strength of its professional network.

Keio and its connection with the business world

4. Keio University

Keio University occupies fourth place. Together with Waseda, it is one of Tokyo’s two major private university institutions.

Its principal strength is the connection between legal education, business, economics and professional practice. The university maintains an extensive alumni network across major corporations, financial institutions, law firms and public authorities.

Keio is especially attractive to students interested in commercial law, corporate governance, finance, intellectual property, competition and international transactions.

Its location in Tokyo facilitates access to internships, professional seminars and employment opportunities. This combination of tradition, selectivity and business orientation explains its high position.

Hitotsubashi, a university specialising in the social sciences

5. Hitotsubashi University

Hitotsubashi University occupies fifth place. Although it is smaller than Tokyo, Kyoto or Waseda, it has an exceptional reputation in the social sciences, economics, business administration and Law.

Its size facilitates closer academic relationships and an interdisciplinary approach. The connection among Law, economics and business is one of the distinctive characteristics of its educational model.

Hitotsubashi is particularly prominent in commercial law, competition, economic regulation, corporate governance and international business law.

Its alumni network has a significant presence in major corporations, economic public administration and specialist law firms. For students interested in the relationship between Law and business activity, it may represent an especially valuable alternative.

Osaka completes the leading group

6. Osaka University

Osaka University occupies sixth place. As one of Japan’s principal national research universities, it provides strong legal education and significant interdisciplinary activity.

Its location in the Osaka metropolitan area gives students access to Japan’s second major economic and business centre. This position supports connections with law firms, companies, courts and public authorities across the Kansai region.

The university combines Law and political science and places importance on international and comparative research. Its position within a major scientific institution also facilitates the study of issues related to technology, medicine, innovation and public policy.

Kobe and its strength in business and international law

7. Kobe University

Kobe University occupies seventh place. Its tradition in economics, commerce and business studies has a significant influence on its legal education.

Its Faculty and Graduate School of Law are particularly strong in commercial law, international trade, competition, economic regulation and cross-border legal relations.

The city of Kobe has a long-standing port and commercial tradition, reinforcing the university’s interest in maritime law, international business and global economic activity.

Kobe offers a balanced combination of research, professional education and internationalisation, making it one of the strongest alternatives outside Tokyo and Kyoto.

Kyushu, Nagoya and Tohoku

8. Kyushu University

Kyushu University occupies eighth place. Based in Fukuoka, it is the principal academic institution in south-western Japan and maintains especially close connections with other Asian countries.

Its location supports the study of international law, Asian economic relations and comparative law. The university periodically publishes information about student performance in the national examination and maintains a professional law school focused on preparing students for legal practice.

9. Nagoya University

Nagoya University ranks ninth. Its Faculty of Law has a recognised tradition of legal research and has developed numerous projects involving international legal cooperation and technical assistance, particularly with other Asian countries.

The institution is prominent in comparative law, law and development, governance and the education of professionals from emerging legal systems.

10. Tohoku University

Tohoku University occupies tenth place. It is one of Japan’s leading national research universities, and its law school enjoys a strong reputation in the northern part of the country.

Tohoku combines doctrinal education, research and professional preparation. Its university culture, traditionally associated with openness and innovation, supports an interdisciplinary analysis of legal problems.

Chuo, a university historically connected with professional qualification

11. Chuo University

Chuo University occupies 11th place. Its position is one of the clearest examples of international rankings not fully reflecting an institution’s influence within the Japanese legal profession.

Chuo has a long tradition of legal education and is known for the substantial number of graduates who have historically entered legal practice, the judiciary and the public prosecution service.

Its Faculty of Law and professional law school place considerable importance on the subjects assessed in the national qualification process. The university also has an extensive alumni network across law firms, courts and public institutions.

For students whose principal objective is to pass the national examination and practise in Japan, Chuo may be competitive with universities ranked above it on the basis of international research reputation.

Hokkaido and its regional importance

12. Hokkaido University

Hokkaido University occupies 12th place. It is the principal national university in northern Japan and has a strong research structure in Law and political science.

Its programme pays particular attention to public law, politics, territorial regulation, environmental matters and international relations. The university’s scientific breadth also facilitates collaboration with other academic disciplines.

Hokkaido provides a less congested academic environment than Tokyo and maintains considerable influence within the courts, public authorities and legal professions of its region.

Meiji and Sophia: two different private university models

13. Meiji University

Meiji University occupies 13th place. Its Faculty of Law is one of the most traditional among Japan’s private universities and has an extensive alumni network.

Meiji combines general legal education, professional preparation and connections with Tokyo’s employment market. It also appears among the Japanese institutions recognised by SCImago for legal research.

14. Sophia University

Sophia University ranks 14th. It has a more international profile and is closely associated with language education, international relations and a multicultural university community.

Sophia may be especially attractive to international students or those wishing to combine Japanese law with a global perspective. Nevertheless, much of the education required for domestic legal practice still demands advanced proficiency in Japanese.

Doshisha and Ritsumeikan, Kyoto’s leading private alternatives

15. Doshisha University

Doshisha University occupies 15th place. Its Faculty of Law combines a long private university tradition, a humanistic education and a professional presence throughout the Kansai region.

The university maintains a distinctive academic identity and a strong alumni network across companies, public authorities and the legal professions.

16. Ritsumeikan University

Ritsumeikan University ranks 16th. Its educational offering is characterised by internationalisation, flexibility and an interest in contemporary social problems.

Ritsumeikan is particularly prominent in human rights, international studies, public policy and interdisciplinary education. Its large university community and exchange programmes strengthen its appeal to students seeking a global academic experience.

Tsukuba, Hosei, Kansai and Gakushuin

17. University of Tsukuba

The University of Tsukuba occupies 17th place. Its general strength in research and interdisciplinary orientation encourage the study of Law from the perspective of public policy, technology and the social sciences.

18. Hosei University

Hosei University ranks 18th. It is one of Tokyo’s historic private universities and maintains an extensive offering in Law, politics and public administration.

19. Kansai University

Kansai University occupies 19th place. Its location in Osaka and regional alumni network give it a significant presence in the Kansai professional market.

20. Gakushuin University

Gakushuin University completes the classification in 20th place. Its Faculty of Law offers a smaller-scale education and relatively personalised academic attention. The institution maintains a recognised tradition in Law, politics and public service.

The differences among these final positions are limited. Depending on the desired specialisation, the city in which the student intends to work and the chosen professional pathway, other Japanese universities may be equally appropriate.

How legal education works in Japan

In Japan, it is essential to distinguish between studying Law at an undergraduate faculty and completing the professional education required to become a lawyer, judge or public prosecutor.

An undergraduate degree normally lasts four years. Students may pursue Law as an academic discipline, but obtaining the degree does not in itself grant the right to practise as an attorney.

The ordinary professional pathway includes education at a postgraduate professional law school, passing the national bar examination and completing a period of practical training at the Supreme Court’s Legal Training and Research Institute.

According to the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, obtaining the professional qualification requires candidates to complete the relevant legal education, pass the examination and undertake a legal apprenticeship. Future legal professionals receive practical training connected with courts, public prosecutors’ offices and local bar associations.

An alternative route is available through the Preliminary Examination, known as the Yobi Shiken. Passing this examination allows a candidate to take the national bar examination without completing professional law school, although it is an exceptionally demanding route.

The national examination is not the only measure of quality

Performance in the bar examination is important, but it should not be the sole criterion used to assess a university.

Pass rates may vary according to the number and profile of the candidates entered. An institution presenting a small group of highly selected students may record a higher pass rate than another university educating a much larger number of candidates.

Furthermore, many Law graduates do not intend to become practising lawyers. A legal education may lead to careers in companies, banking, consultancy, public administration, diplomacy, international organisations, the media, research or politics.

For this reason, the ranking combines professional preparation with academic breadth, research, employability and the ability to provide alternative career pathways.

The language barrier for international students

Most undergraduate legal education and professional preparation in Japan is conducted in Japanese.

Although some universities offer English-language modules, exchanges and postgraduate programmes, studying the Japanese legal system and qualifying for professional practice normally requires an exceptionally advanced command of Japanese.

Everyday communication skills are not sufficient. Students must be able to interpret legislation, judicial decisions, academic scholarship and examination questions written in complex technical language.

International students interested in Japan who do not need to qualify as Japanese attorneys may find more accessible options through English-taught LLM or master’s programmes focused on international law, Asian trade, arbitration, intellectual property or comparative law.

Prospective students should carefully verify the actual language of instruction for each programme before applying. The existence of an English-language university website does not necessarily mean that the complete undergraduate degree is available in English.

National and private universities

National universities dominate the leading positions because of their academic prestige, research capacity and connections with public institutions.

Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Kyushu, Nagoya, Tohoku and Hokkaido generally offer more moderate tuition fees and a strong research tradition. Admission to these institutions, however, is usually extremely competitive.

Private universities such as Waseda, Keio, Chuo, Meiji, Sophia, Doshisha and Ritsumeikan possess extensive alumni networks and especially close connections with the professional employment market.

Private university tuition is generally higher, although these institutions may offer a greater diversity of programmes, career services and corporate connections.

Neither model is necessarily better for every student. The appropriate choice will depend on budget, specialisation, location, professional objectives and the need for specific bar examination preparation.

Tokyo concentrates a large proportion of the opportunities

Location is particularly important in Japan.

Tokyo contains the country’s principal courts, ministries, regulatory authorities, major law firms, corporations, financial institutions and offices of international organisations. Universities located in the capital therefore enjoy significant advantages in access to internships, conferences and professional networks.

Kyoto offers a more academic environment and an exceptional university tradition. Osaka and Kobe form the principal legal and business centre of the Kansai region, while Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sendai and Sapporo offer substantial career opportunities within their respective regional markets.

Studying outside Tokyo may reduce living costs and provide a more manageable academic community. It can also help students build a strong professional network in the region where they ultimately intend to practise.

There is no perfect university for every student

The ranking provides a general overview of legal academic excellence, but a higher-ranked university will not necessarily be the best choice for every student.

Those aspiring to work in leading state institutions or pursue an academic career may prioritise Tokyo or Kyoto. For business law and private practice in the capital, Waseda, Keio and Hitotsubashi offer significant advantages.

Students focused on professional qualification may place particular value on Chuo, while Kobe, Osaka and Doshisha provide notable opportunities in Kansai. Kyushu may be especially suitable for those seeking stronger connections with other Asian countries.

Students should also consider language, cost, admission rates, professional outcomes, class sizes, exchange programmes and the availability of a suitable postgraduate professional law school.

Tradition, rigour and internationalisation

The principal conclusion of the study is that excellence in Japanese legal education cannot be reduced to a single figure.

The University of Tokyo leads because of its balance of reputation, research and institutional influence. Kyoto represents a model particularly focused on intellectual reflection and research, while Waseda and Keio demonstrate the strength of major private universities and their professional networks.

Hitotsubashi stands out for its specialisation in the social sciences and business law. Osaka, Kobe, Kyushu, Nagoya and Tohoku confirm the quality of Japan’s principal national universities outside Tokyo.

Chuo provides the clearest example of an institution whose professional importance exceeds the visibility afforded to it by certain international rankings.

Combining data from three academic classifications with an analysis of the programmes published by the universities and consideration of Japan’s professional qualification system provides a broader, more critical and useful overview of legal education in the country.