2025.8.16
From August 11 to 15, 2025, students of the University of Tsukuba’s College of Social Sciences, School of Social and International Studies and the Bachelor’s Program in Global Issues (BPGI), School of Intergrative and Global Majors (SIGMA) took part in a study program in São Paulo and Brasília, Brazil, led by Assistant Professor Hajime Akiyama of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences.
This program was made possible through the generous support of several local institutions, including the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), the Regional Federal Court of the 3rd Region, the Embassy of Japan in Brazil, the Consulate-General of Japan in São Paulo, JAPAN HOUSE São Paulo, and the University of São Paulo. The program focused on key topics such as human rights, environmental issues, and artificial intelligence (AI), with the aim of fostering cross-cultural learning and participating in international conferenvce by having dialogue through the lens of law.
In São Paulo, the students paid a courtesy visit to Consul General Toru Shimizu, engaging in thoughtful discussions on student interests in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. They then visited JAPAN HOUSE, where they gained insights into the strong interest in Japanese culture among the Brazilian public. At the Regional Federal Court of the 3rd Region, students met with Presiding Judge Carlos Muta and toured the courtroom and exhibition areas, deepening their understanding of Brazil’s legal system.
The students also visited the University of São Paulo, a Campus-in-Campus (CiC) partner of the University of Tsukuba. There, they participated in discussions with local students on legal and social issues. Tsukuba students actively presented in English, making the experience a valuable opportunity for intercultural exchange. They also attended lectures by professors including Assistant Professor Akiyama engaging in further academic dialogue through Q&A sessions.
In Brasília, the students joined the 1st Brazil-Japan Law Congress hosted by the STJ. The conference featured sessions on topics such as “Climate Change, Environment and Human Rights” and “AI Governance.” Assistant Professor Akiyama delivered a presentation titled “Climate Change, Environment, Migration and Human Rights.” Students participated in the conference, joined the lunch with other attendees, and took part in the commemorative photo session, gaining firsthand experience in an international academic setting.
Additionally, the students joined a special guided tour of Brazil’s National Congress alongside other conference speakers. During the tour, they learned about the country’s legislative system and the structure of its parliamentary chambers.
The University of Tsukuba’s participation in this international exchange and conference was highly praised by the Brazilian institutions. The university co-hosted the 1st Brazil-Japan University Presidents’ Conference at the University of São Paulo in January 2025, and further academic collaboration between Japan and Brazil is expected to grow in the coming years.
