The Supreme Court: Why it matters so much in the US, and so little in Japan?

FUTI FIRESIDE CHAT SERIES- 1

Friends of UTokyo is pleased to present an online dialogue by Ko-Yung Tung, esq. who is an eminent international lawyer and scholar and a global business and strategy advisor. Currently he is Lecturer at Law at Harvard Law School where he teaches courses on Law and Economic Development and on International Investment Arbitration.

This is the inaugural talk in a series created to bring together UTokyo international alumni (that is, those who were Ryuugkusei at UTokyo). Its purpose is to encourage spirited dialogues among UTokyo alumni and friends and develop a supportive network among them. We expect the Chats to take place several times throughout the year, in person or online.

Following the talk by KY Tung and the Q&A session, we will invite participants to share with us their ideas about (1) future topics to be discussed in the Series and (2) a mentor program for younger alumni and students to be organized by Ryuugakusei alumni and FUTI.

ABSTRACT*

The Supreme Court is in the news almost everyday in the United States, as it decides on momentous issues, such as abortion, climate change and guns, that affect almost everyone in America. Yet, the Japanese Supreme Court seems to be almost less relevant to most of the people in Japan. What accounts for this difference even though the Japanese constitution and its supreme court were produced by American drafters? Is it different constitutional provisions or politics?

Professor Ko-Yung Tung of Harvard Law School, a UTokyo alumnus, will engage in a lively discussion about these issues with participants, who are also encouraged to send in their questions before the talk.

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Date/Time: July 29, 2022, Friday, 8pm-9.00pm+ (EDST) 

Format: Zoom invite will be sent to people who RSVP

Language: English

RSVP: Required. Please RSVP by July 26, Wednesday, by email to info [at] friendsofutokyo.org with 1) your name, 2) email address, 3) major and year of graduation at Tokyo, 4) current affiliation, 5) questions for the presenters.

Organizer: Friends of UTokyo

Co-sponsors: Satsuki-kai America, FUTI Alumni Association (to be confirmed)

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Ko-Yung TUNG

Lecturer on Law Harvard Law School 

Ko-Yung Tung is an eminent international lawyer and scholar and a global business and strategy advisor. His fields of expertise include foreign investment, international business and corporate governance. Currently he is Lecturer at Law at Harvard Law School where he teaches courses on Law and Economic Development and on International Investment Arbitration. Previously, he taught at Yale Law School for many years. 

Prof.Tung served as the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the World Bank and as Secretary General of the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). In private practice, he was a senior partner of O’Melveny & Myers and Senior Counsellor at Morrison & Foerster. 

For further details, see https://www.friendsofutokyo.org/about-us/#organization