Legal Intern – Corporate Legal Department

Legal Intern – Corporate Legal Department at MUFG Bank

MUFG Bank, Ltd., Japan's largest bank headquartered in Marunouchi, Tokyo, offers a legal internship within its Legal & Compliance Division. This programme gives law students the opportunity to experience in-house legal practice at one of the world's most significant financial institutions.

Programme Overview

The MUFG legal internship runs for approximately 2-4 weeks during the summer (July-September). Unlike law firm summer programmes, this internship provides insight into the role of in-house legal counsel within a major Japanese megabank, covering banking regulation, compliance, and commercial transactions.

What You Will Experience

Interns will gain exposure to the Banking Act (銀行法), the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (金融商品取引法 / FIEA), AML/CTF compliance under the Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds (犯罪収益移転防止法), and general commercial contract review. You will work alongside legal counsel who advise MUFG's business divisions on day-to-day legal matters, providing a practical understanding of in-house practice.

The programme includes presentations by senior in-house counsel, an introduction to MUFG's global operations, and sessions on the role of legal departments in financial institutions. Interns will also learn about the relationship between in-house teams and external law firms.

Programme Details

• Duration: 2-4 weeks (July-September)
• Compensation: Paid internship
• Location: Marunouchi, Tokyo (MUFG headquarters)
• In-house corporate legal department experience

• Conduct research on banking regulatory matters under supervision
• Review and summarise commercial contracts and legal documents
• Assist with compliance-related research and policy review
• Attend presentations by senior in-house counsel on various legal topics
• Observe the daily operations of a major bank's legal department
• Participate in sessions on in-house career development and legal department management
• Complete a research assignment on a banking law or compliance topic

• Enrolled in a hōka daigakuin (法科大学院) or undergraduate law faculty with intent to pursue legal career
• Interest in banking law, financial regulation, or in-house legal practice
• Basic understanding of the Banking Act (銀行法) and financial regulation concepts
• Strong academic record and analytical skills
• Japanese language proficiency required; English is an advantage
• Available for the programme duration during summer
• Interest in pursuing an in-house legal career at a financial institution