Kaeko Hirabayashi

Since registering as an attorney, I have worked on numerous cases for non-Japanese clients and overseas cases.

I studied abroad for a total of three years in the United States and the Netherlands, specializing in international human rights law. I was able to meet with not only local residents abroad but also other international students from around the world, gaining experience with diverse ways of thinking and values. At the same time, I also learned how challenging it can be to live in a foreign country. I think the most valuable fruit of these experiences was learning to get to know individuals themselves, rather than seeing them through the categories of race or nationality. It is of utmost importance to learn about individual backgrounds and ideas through dialogue and relationship building, instead of focusing on external attributes.

Together with continuing to take on international cases aggressively, I would like to make the most of my experience studying abroad to address international law and international human rights issues actively as well.