The Formation of Legal Education at the University of Tokyo in the Meiji Era

The article examines the main historical events of the Meiji era related to the establishment of the University of Tokyo as one of the first and leading state centres for legal education in Japan during the reign of Emperor Mutsuhito. It describes the contribution of foreign lawyers hired by the Japanese government to the process of establishing legal education at the University of Tokyo in the early years of its existence, as well as the contribution of foreigners to the organisation of the work of the University of Tokyo’s predecessor, the Kaisei School. The article points out the historical significance of the fact of rivalry between proponents of the study of French law and proponents of the study of English law and German law. This rivalry accompanied the development of professional legal education in Japan throughout the Meiji era.