English taught LLM and work experience in foreign jurisdictions for a future career in Japan?

Hello,

I am a lawyer in a European Union country (bar member), with years of legal experience in litigation and consultancy. I‘ve also been practicing law in my own, one-man firm, for several years.

For personal reasons, I am considering a career shift. I am thinking of pursuing an L.L.M. (taught in english) in international business law in Japan. My goal would be that of finding a job in Japan afterwards.

I‘ve only recently started learning Japanese. I am, however, pasionate about it. I hope I could reach N3 or N2 until the end of the L.L.M.. As for my english skills, I am pretty confident in them. I‘ve had multiple cross-border litigation cases and have interacted with many foreign clients.

I was thinking that an L.L.M. with a private university, such as Keio or Waseda, or with Kyushu University (public) could help me with securing a job.

As such:

– Is there a market for foreign trained lawyers?

– How hard is it to find work as a foreign trained lawyer in Japan?

– Do Japanese companies seek out foreign trained lawyers?

– What are the areas of law most foreign trained lawyers activate in, in Japan?

– Is it true that most companies hire graduates from Keio and Waseda

Also, if any foreign trained lawyer working in Japan reads this post, how‘s the work life? (hours, pay, other details)

Any opinion and advice are welcome.

Thank you for your time!