京都大学 京都大学

ILAS Seminar-E2 :Consumer Society and Law

Numbering Code U-LAS70 10002 SE50 Year/Term 2022 ・ First semester
Number of Credits 2 Course Type seminar
Target Year Mainly 1st year students Target Student For all majors
Language English Day/Period Tue.5
Instructor name KARAISKOS, Antonios (Graduate School of Law Associate Professor)
Outline and Purpose of the Course This is an introductory seminar on Japanese and European consumer law and policy. The course is organized into the following three parts:
1) Brief overview of the development and characteristics of Japanese and European consumer law and policy.
2) Description of Japanese consumer law and policy.
3) Presentation of the current state of European consumer law and policy.
Along the way, major relevant cases decided by Japanese courts and by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) will also be discussed.
The goal of this course is for students to acquire a basic knowledge of the structure and content of Japanese and European consumer law and policy, and learn about the similarities and differences between these laws. An additional goal is for students to get familiar with comparative law and its methods.
During this course, students will be given the opportunity to actively participate in discussions and exchange of ideas.
Course Goals - Acquiring a basic knowledge of the structure and content of Japanese and European consumer law and policy.
- Learning about the similarities and differences between Japanese and European consumer law and policy.
- Getting familiar with comparative law and its methods.
- Improving presentation and communication skills in English.
Schedule and Contents 1 General introduction

Part one: Introduction to consumer law and policy
2 Characteristics of consumer law and policy
3 Main features of Japanese consumer law and policy
4 Main features of European consumer law and policy

Part two: Consumer law and policy in Japan
5 History of consumer issues and protection in Japan
6 Product liability
7 Consumer contracts
8 "Cooling-off" system
9 Consumer protection authorities and organizations

Part three: Consumer law and policy in the EU
10 Models of consumer protection, the concept and image of the consumer
11 Liability for defective products
12 Unfair terms in consumer contracts
13 Right of withdrawal
14 Sustainable consumption, production and SDGs

15 Conclusions
Feedback (the method will be explained later)


Note: In part one, the lecturer will make introductory explanations about each topic using relevant material which will be distributed, followed by discussions with the students. In parts two and three, students will make presentations about each topic, followed by discussions with the lecturer and the other students.
Evaluation Methods and Policy No written examinations will be conducted.
Class attendance and participation: 60%
Oral presentation: 15%
Submission of report paper: 25%
Course Requirements Students must be willing to talk in class, engage with other students and write a report paper in English.
Study outside of Class (preparation and review) - Students are expected to review the content covered in the previous class.
- Students are also recommended to briefly preview the content of the next class. More detailed instructions will be provided in class.
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