62153005 Japanese Constitution

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2026Year School/Graduate School Liberal Arts Education Program

Lecture Code 62153005 Subject Classification Area Courses

Subject Name 日本国憲法

Subject Name
（Katakana）ニホンコクケンポウ

Subject Name in
English Japanese Constitution

Instructor GE HONG,GE HONG

Instructor
(Katakana) カツ　コウ,カツ　コウ

Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 1st-Year,  Second Semester,  3Term

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (3T) Mon1-4：IAS K106

Lesson Style Lecture Lesson Style
(More Details) Face-to-face

Lecture-oriented ,using blackbord and PPT

Credits 2.0 Class Hours/Week 4 Language of Instruction J : Japanese

Course Level 1 : Undergraduate Introductory

Course Area（Area） 24 : Social Sciences

Course Area（Discipline） 01 : Law

Eligible Students

Keywords

Special Subject for Teacher Education 　 Special Subject 　

Class Status within
Liberal Arts Education Area Courses（Courses in Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences)　Category：Law / Political Sciences / Sociology / Economics / Education
Expected Outcome 1. To be able to explain the formation and development processes and contemporary issues of each academic discipline.
2. To be able to explain historical and contemporary issues that span multiple academic disciplines from multifaceted perspectives.

Class Objectives
/Class Outline From the perspective of constitutionalism, this course examines the principles and current realities of the Constitution of Japan, using specific court precedents and news reports as case studies. The objective is for students to cultivate insight into constitutional issues and to acquire the essential legal knowledge necessary for effective problem-solving.

Class Schedule lesson1: Fundamental Legal Knowledge for Studying the Constitution
lesson2: The Birth of the Constitution of Japan
lesson3: General Theory of Human Rights (1):
         Types of Human Rights, and Subjects of Rights
lesson4: General Theory of Human Rights (2):
         Inherent Limitations of Human Rights, and International Human Rights Treaties
lesson5: Freedom of Expression (1):
         Interpretation of Article 21 and Standards of Judicial Review
lesson6: Freedom of Expression (2):
         Legal Principles and Limitations in the Era of Traditional Media (Defamation and Obscenity)
lesson7: Freedom of Expression (3):
         Legal Principles and Limitations in the Internet Age (Hate Speech and Fake News)
lesson8: Freedom of Thought and Conscience
lesson9: Freedom of Religion
lesson10: Right to Maintain a Minimum Standard of Living
lesson11: Principle of Equality (1):
          Equality of Voting Value, and Equality in Marriage and Family Affairs
lesson12: Principle of Equality (2):
          Equality in Education, and Affirmative Action
lesson13: New Human Rights
lesson14: Principles of Governance:
          Separation of Powers, and the Organs and Functions of Government
lesson15: Constitutional litigation

Submission of the comments will be demanded after each lesson.
Final Written Examination will be held.

Text/Reference
Books,etc. The following textbook will be used in the course.
Textbook: Yokofujita Makoto & Nakasaka Emiko, Jinken Nyumon, 4th.ed. (Horitsu-bunka-sya, 2021)
It is also recommended to refer to the following reference books as needed to help deepen your understanding of the course material.
Reference Book: Hasebe Yasuo, Leading Cases in Constitutional Law, 8th.ed(Yuuhikaku,2025)

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. Text, Handouts, Visual Materials, Microsoft Teams, moodle

(More Details) Texts, distributed materials ,notebook

Learning techniques to be incorporated

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review Before each lesson, check and download the handouts provided on Moodle.
After each lesson, review the handouts and relevant sections of the textbook (and reference books as needed). Then, complete the comment sheet with any questions or feedback regarding the lecture.

Requirements Questions can be asked at any time during the lesson.
No private language.

Grading Method Final Written Examination: 70%
Overall Evaluation of Comment Sheets: 30%

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message Each lesson is given face-to-face. In case of bad weather, it will be switched to online.

Other

Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Academic Year	2026Year	School/Graduate School	Liberal Arts Education Program
Lecture Code	62153005	Subject Classification	Area Courses
Subject Name	日本国憲法
Subject Name （Katakana）	ニホンコクケンポウ
Subject Name in English	Japanese Constitution
Instructor	GE HONG,GE HONG
Instructor (Katakana)	カツ　コウ,カツ　コウ
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	1st-Year, Second Semester, 3Term
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(3T) Mon1-4：IAS K106
Lesson Style	Lecture	Lesson Style (More Details)	Face-to-face
Lecture-oriented ,using blackbord and PPT
Credits	2.0	Class Hours/Week	4	Language of Instruction	J : Japanese
Course Level	1 : Undergraduate Introductory
Course Area（Area）	24 : Social Sciences
Course Area（Discipline）	01 : Law
Eligible Students
Keywords
Special Subject for Teacher Education		Special Subject
Class Status within Liberal Arts Education	Area Courses（Courses in Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences)　Category：Law / Political Sciences / Sociology / Economics / Education
Expected Outcome	1. To be able to explain the formation and development processes and contemporary issues of each academic discipline. 2. To be able to explain historical and contemporary issues that span multiple academic disciplines from multifaceted perspectives.
Class Objectives /Class Outline	From the perspective of constitutionalism, this course examines the principles and current realities of the Constitution of Japan, using specific court precedents and news reports as case studies. The objective is for students to cultivate insight into constitutional issues and to acquire the essential legal knowledge necessary for effective problem-solving.
Class Schedule	lesson1: Fundamental Legal Knowledge for Studying the Constitution lesson2: The Birth of the Constitution of Japan lesson3: General Theory of Human Rights (1): Types of Human Rights, and Subjects of Rights lesson4: General Theory of Human Rights (2): Inherent Limitations of Human Rights, and International Human Rights Treaties lesson5: Freedom of Expression (1): Interpretation of Article 21 and Standards of Judicial Review lesson6: Freedom of Expression (2): Legal Principles and Limitations in the Era of Traditional Media (Defamation and Obscenity) lesson7: Freedom of Expression (3): Legal Principles and Limitations in the Internet Age (Hate Speech and Fake News) lesson8: Freedom of Thought and Conscience lesson9: Freedom of Religion lesson10: Right to Maintain a Minimum Standard of Living lesson11: Principle of Equality (1): Equality of Voting Value, and Equality in Marriage and Family Affairs lesson12: Principle of Equality (2): Equality in Education, and Affirmative Action lesson13: New Human Rights lesson14: Principles of Governance: Separation of Powers, and the Organs and Functions of Government lesson15: Constitutional litigation Submission of the comments will be demanded after each lesson. Final Written Examination will be held.
Text/Reference Books,etc.	The following textbook will be used in the course. Textbook: Yokofujita Makoto & Nakasaka Emiko, Jinken Nyumon, 4th.ed. (Horitsu-bunka-sya, 2021) It is also recommended to refer to the following reference books as needed to help deepen your understanding of the course material. Reference Book: Hasebe Yasuo, Leading Cases in Constitutional Law, 8th.ed(Yuuhikaku,2025)
PC or AV used in Class,etc.	Text, Handouts, Visual Materials, Microsoft Teams, moodle
(More Details)	Texts, distributed materials ,notebook
Learning techniques to be incorporated
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	Before each lesson, check and download the handouts provided on Moodle. After each lesson, review the handouts and relevant sections of the textbook (and reference books as needed). Then, complete the comment sheet with any questions or feedback regarding the lecture.
Requirements	Questions can be asked at any time during the lesson. No private language.
Grading Method	Final Written Examination: 70% Overall Evaluation of Comment Sheets: 30%
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message	Each lesson is given face-to-face. In case of bad weather, it will be switched to online.
Other
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes. Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Back to syllabus main page