Bryan M. Thompson is a second-year student pursuing his Juris Doctor (J.D.) at Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon (USA). He was a Sylff fellow from 2009 to 2010 and earned a master’s degree in political science from Portland State University in 2010. He wrote his master’s thesis on Japan’s emerging lay judge system, the causes for Japan’s recent judicial reform, and the democracy-enhancing possibilities of lay judge service. As a student of law, he is continuing his research into the Japanese lay judge system and is writing on its confidentiality requirements. In addition to his interest in the Japanese judiciary, Bryan is an avid cyclist and has completed numerous cycling tours in the United States and Japan.
