The School of Law offers a comprehensive means for studying social sciences. The School of Law of Hiroshima University is engaged in education and research activities in various academic fields, including legal studies, political science, sociology, and international relations theory. Accordingly, students can study a broad range of social sciences, other than those related to economics.

As faculty members, we teach students proper methods to understand social affairs from a comprehensive viewpoint using an appropriate procedure. For example, if you believe that measures taken against the COVID 19 pandemic are insufficient, you should seek a legally and politically valid, effective, and feasible solution by considering the following matters: from which viewpoint (restriction of restaurant operations/movement restrictions on the public/systems of national and local authorities/changes in public behaviors and their recognition of the disease) you should examine the problem; what issues in society should be changed and how they should be changed to ensure that the proposed measure will be effective; and the extent of the cost (expense, time, and social persuasion) necessary to make the measure feasible.

Making our society better within a possible range of options is not something that even a smart person can do just by thinking for a while. It requires knowledge of social systems and a thorough understanding of human behaviors, the reasons for following certain patterns of behavior, and possible adverse effects of acts that change society. Otherwise, an attempt to change society can end in failure—just like a mere idea from a smart aleck—or even worse, have a destructive impact on society. We must remember that many tragic incidents in 20th-century society emanated from the concept of completely replacing social systems for the betterment of society.

It is necessary for people in every sector of our society to foster the ability to search for valid, effective, and feasible solutions. All members of society, including legal professionals, public servants, company employees, staff of educational and medical institutions, members of NPOs, and part timers working at a convenience store, can and must consider their relationship with society and seek ways to make it better.

As faculty members, we are constantly considering this matter. We truly look forward to learning together with you.

Professor Hiroyuki Nagayama, 

Dean, School of Law