Professor Yasuko Nakamura
Researchers'
Dean
Masabumi Suzuki
Graduate School of Law
This is a quote from a work by Goethe. I came across it when I was a university student in a book by Tomio Tezuka entitled "Live Lively" (Kodansha Shinsho: It seems out of print now, but an e-book version is available.). I have kept the words in mind as inspiration to not be lazy. Even after becoming a researcher, I think these words are in the back of my mind as I aim to conduct research that can influence the real world, not just produce impractical theories. Goethe, however, precedes these words with: "Do not postpone anything," but I have not been able to follow this advice.
One is research on Japanese intellectual property law, especially in the field of industrial property law (patent law, trademark law, etc.), and the other is research on international intellectual property systems. For the latter, I am currently focusing on the theme of "common intellectual property systems and related legal systems among multiple countries." This joint research project started last year with a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Funding A) to envision a patent system shared by multiple countries and examine the possibility of establishing related systems.
In the future, when Japan further deepens its relationship with countries in Asia and the Pacific Rim, it is expected that it will be a challenge to standardize various national systems among multiple countries. Intellectual property systems such as patents are currently established on a country-by-country basis, and the necessity and feasibility of converging these systems are particularly high. This is because the subject matter of protection is intangible and not tied to a specific place, and because the harmonization of the system through international treaties is relatively advanced. In our research, we are working on the basics so that Japan can take the lead in presenting ideas for a patent system that can be shared among multiple countries based on these future prospects.
I initially became interested in law in junior high school, reading American novels featuring a lawyer and thinking that lawyers were cool. However, after studying law at university, I decided that I wanted to work internationally, so I became a government official. At the government office, I found the work of planning a new legal system particularly interesting. In addition, in the late 1990s, when Japan was sued by the US to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the allegation of taking measures to protect its domestic industry in several cases, I was one of the officials who represented Japan. I was so involved in the international legal battles against the American officials, most of whom were lawyers, that I forgot to eat and sleep, and realized that I really liked working on treaties and laws. After that, I was assigned to the fascinating field of intellectual property law, and when I wanted to explore this field in depth, I was invited by Nagoya University, first as a part-time lecturer and then as a faculty member.
One is when I find a conclusion to a difficult problem that makes sense and has a desirable effect on society. The other is when I can discuss various things with other researchers who share the same awareness of the problem. Recently, I often feel blissful when I have a research meeting with foreign friends followed by a dinner party with wine.
I do not feel as if I am losing my edge in my research. This is because research is, after all, a process in which you can investigate, think, and make decisions on your own. If the research results are not good, I can give up because it is my responsibility. In my job before I became a researcher, I had many experiences where I felt empty because I could not move forward as my ideas differed from the logic of the organization or my superiors' opinions. Compared to that, I have always felt that research is a very free activity.
He and his colleagues from Asian and European countries who attended an international conference in April 2018
After graduating from university, I got a job at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Tūshō Sangyō Shō), which was sarcastically called the "Ministry of Constant Overtime (Tūjō Zangyō Shō)." It was what is now called a "black" workplace, and I worked overtime until past midnight almost every day. It was not uncommon for new assignments to come in the evening and be due the next morning. I believe that we should never force others to work in this way, but I myself have an ingrained feeling that if I work hard, I can get it done. Thus, even now, when I am asked to do a job, I tend to accept all that comes my way.
I would like to leave behind works that people will refer to for a long time. I would also like to plan joint projects with the researchers I supervised as a graduate student, as they are located worldwide.
Name: Masabumi Suzuki
Department: Graduate School of Law
Title: Dean of Graduate School
Career history and hobbies:
Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law in 1981, and Harvard Law School (LLM) in 1986 (admitted to the Bar of the State of New York). He joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) in 1981 and worked in many positions including as a legal apprentice at the Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court, a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution, Director of the Intellectual Property Policy Office (METI), and Director of the Fair Trade Promotion Office (METI). He is a Professor of the Graduate School of Law, Nagoya University from 2002, and was appointed Dean of the Graduate School in 2018. His hobbies include classical music (he has a habit of singing while walking, much to the dismay of his family) and travel. His publications include "Preventive Instruments of Social Governance" (co-editor, published by Mohr Siebeck) and "Trademark Law Commentary" (co-editor, published by LexisNexis Japan).
