The real problem we face when convening a seminar is interpretation.
It is very difficult to find the right persons to interpret at these seminars and negotiations since understanding the content is the most important part of the entire legal technical assistance process. The language barrier becomes evident especially during multiple training when the common language is English. Although we need to communicate in English, many of the trainees' English is insufficient to understand difficult subjects. Therefore, the language barrier is one problem we must try to resolve over the long-term.

If we rely on English to communicate, problems emerge in interpretation.
Although we are able to find individuals from Asia who are studying at Japanese universities, what we really need to do is train people to become fluent in both Japanese and their native tongue. It would be ideal if we could provide selected individuals language training at an institution in Japan and then have them take Japanese law courses in Japanese. This would eventually lead to a better understanding overall by not limiting the issue to law. Nevertheless, the success of this premise lies in whether the trainees would have the curiosity and interest to learn language and law in Japan.

What is the purpose of Japan being involved in legal technical assistance?

At least four countries utilize Kanji in some form, such as China, South Korea, Taiwan and even Vietnam, when they were previously utilizing Kanji, so I think it is easier for them to understand us. I also believe that all our cultures are somewhat similar. Moreover, the fact that Japan has, since the Meiji Restoration, adopted Western legal systems to suit our own culture remains an invaluable experience from which others can learn.
Even though we have no intention of compelling recipient countries to adopt our legal system, I think it and the registry system for the Bureau of the Judicial Affairs act as a good source of reference.

Mr. Kaneko commented that the most important aspect of legal technical assistance is the opportunity to meet people and create your own network for the future.

It is extremely important to realize that we do not consider legal technical assistance as "teaching the law." Rather, we see it as constructing a legal framework in cooperation with other people, which will lead to establishing personal relationships. Eventually, individuals who are trained in legal technical assistance projects will assume important positions, each in their respective country's legislative institutions.
Since we had numerous trainees from Vietnam, we would like try to follow up
on their activities. I think developing a personal relationship with bureaucrats from the various legislative branches will be extremely important for the future of Japan.