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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That’s awesome! Good job guys! See, not all ALTs are だめ人間！
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What an inspiring story!! Many Japanese people are waiting for another ‘black ship’, I mean that the Japanese society is always craving for momentum from outside world.
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So cool! I’ve thought about this myself after completing the JET Program… I guess if other people don’t think it’s such a bad idea ^^
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Yippee!!!! Just what the world needs, another Lawyer.
Those professions that would “cure cancer” or “invent renewable energy” are soooooo over-rated.
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i am sure you and your job are much more indispensable to the world.
seriously .. your greatness makes me small eyeroll*
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*VERY* cool news. Good luck to these gentlemen. Happy to see that Japanese media covered this as well.
of course, they’ll still be asked the typical, “Do you like natto?” type of questions…
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Most likely, but I’m curious to hear their insider perspectives on the Japanese legal system.
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Way to go guys ! (And I say that as a past critic of the JET program). Good luck to you both and well done on proving me wrong !
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