Former ALT to become lawyer in Japan

Japan has had some foreign lawyers in the past (about 140), but until now all of them have held permanent residency. The Asahi reported yesterday that British citizen Peter Tam and South Korean citizen Park Han Young will become the first foreigners without permanent residency to undergo legal training in Japan.

Peter Tam, who first came to Japan to teach English in Japanese public schools as an ALT, is aiming to become a lawyer so he can help foreigners and young people:

Tam decided to apply for law school, thinking that he might pass the new type of bar exam about to be introduced. He studied late into the night after work and was admitted to Keio Law School in spring 2005.

Tam said he’d like to become a lawyer and help young people and foreigners. But he also thinks a job at a law firm that handles overseas negotiations may be more suitable for him.

He also said he’d like to contribute to Japanese society, for the sake of his friends and others who helped him in Japan.

Park Han Young also has an impressive goal: to naturalize and become a judge in Japan.

Good luck, guys!

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