how to be a japanese lawyer

by Elliot Bayer 4 min read

  • Pre-university. During the pre-university time, a Japanese lawyer undertakes an education track that is similar with their counterparts in Indonesia, namely elementary, junior high and senior high.
  • University. A Japanese lawyer does not have to take a law degree, not even a university degree. Surprised, huh? ...
  • Bar Exam. Bar exam in Japan is arguably one of the hardest bar exams in the world. Recent passing rate shows that only around 20% takers passed the bar exam.
  • Post-bar Exam. A few lucky takers who pass the test would undertake a legal training by interning in government offices around Japan, including the district court office and the attorney ...
  • Post-admission to Practice. After being admitted to practice, a Japanese lawyer obtains all of the privileges as a lawyer in Japan.

In order to qualify as an attorney, one must complete a law school curriculum, pass the bar examination, and complete an apprenticeship at the Legal Training and Research Institute. One may sit for the bar examination after graduating from a law school.

Full Answer

How do I become a lawyer in Japan?

If you wish to practice law in Japan, you must comply with the requirements and procedures for foreign lawyers under the Foreign Lawyers Act and be registered as a special member of both the Japan Federation of Bar Associations and a local bar association. Ministry of Justice approval and registration as a Registered Foreign Lawyer

What is a Japanese lawyer called?

They were known as Kujishi. By the 19th century, references began to appear in Japanese literature on the role of "European-style" lawyers. Officially recognized legal representatives in civil trials, known as daigennin, began to appear by the mid-19th century. No legal training was required to be a daigennin.

Is Japan a good place to work as a lawyer?

With its fascinating culture and a buzzing capital city, Japan has long been a destination of choice for lawyers seeking to grow their career overseas.

What is the average salary of a Japanese lawyer?

Starting salaries for Japanese attorneys are typically around 10 million yen (US$100,000) in established law firms, and about half as much in Japanese companies. In-house counsel are still relatively rare in Japan, with only 770 of the 32,000 registered bengoshi working in corporate law departments as of January 2013.

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Can a foreigner be a lawyer in Japan?

If you wish to practice law in Japan, you must comply with the requirements and procedures for foreign lawyers under the Foreign Lawyers Act and be registered as a special member of both the Japan Federation of Bar Associations and a local bar association.

Is it hard to become a lawyer in Japan?

Japanese Bar exam is known as one of the most difficult exams in the world. Although the bar pass rates are getting higher after the structural reform in 2006, only around 20% of the law school graduates pass the bar.

How much do lawyers in Japan make?

A person working as an Attorney in Japan typically earns around 1,080,000 JPY per month. Salaries range from 498,000 JPY (lowest) to 1,720,000 JPY (highest). This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits.

Is Japan a good place to study law?

Japanese law has no impact outside Japan. If you want to study law in Japan you need to go to law school in Japan and pass the bar exam which has a pass rate of about 10%.

Can foreigners take the Japanese bar exam?

While foreigners are eligible to take the bar exam, only Japanese nationals were previously allowed to take the legal training that was required to practice law.

How many years does it take to be a lawyer in Japan?

One may sit for the bar examination after graduating from a law school. The law school system started in 2004, and the law course takes three years in general, or two years for those with basic knowledge of legal studies.

Are lawyers in demand in Japan?

Japan is faced with a shortage of qualified candidates with strong English language and communication skills. In particular, there is a high demand for lawyers who have a strong understanding of the sensitivity of commercial demands within the country.

What is the highest paying job in Japan?

Top 15 Highest-Paying Jobs in JapanAu Pairs.Country Managers.Operations Director.Sales Director.Senior Marketing Manager.Chief Financial Officers.Neurosurgeons.Risk Analysts.More items...•

Do lawyers make good money in Japan?

The average pay for a Lawyer is JPY 13,693,225 a year and JPY 6,583 an hour in Japan. The average salary range for a Lawyer is between JPY 9,416,889 and JPY 17,053,333.

Can I study law in Japan in English?

Each semester, the Law School offers a relatively large number of law classes taught in English by regular and adjunct faculty members. Japanese students interested in studying law in English are permitted to register for these classes.

Which country is best to study law?

Best Countries to Study Law AbroadUnited States of America (USA) Reasons: World-Renowned Law Schools, Prominent Faculty, Numerous Law Courses & Seminars, Advanced Clinics, Cross Programs, Home of Renowned Law Firms, Scholarships. ... United Kingdom (UK) ... Australia. ... Canada. ... Singapore. ... Japan. ... China.

How many laws are there in Japan?

1-010 Introduction: Nature of the Japanese legal system Today, however, these are nearly 1800 other pieces of legislation in force as well as thousands of regulations in the form of Cabinet ordinances (serei) and Ministerial ordinances (shorei).

What are the duties of a Japanese attorney?

The duties of attorneys are to provide services relating to civil and criminal lawsuits, family matters such as divorce, etc., petitions against administrative agencies, out-of-court settlement negotiations, legal consultations, and other legal services.

How do I become an attorney?

In order to qualify as an attorney, one must complete a law school curriculum, pass the bar examination, and complete an apprenticeship at the Legal Training and Research Institute. One may sit for the bar examination after graduating from a law school.

What is the purpose of the Attorney Act?

The Attorney Act specifies the mission of attorneys as “protecting fundamental human rights and achieving social justice.”. In other words, attorneys shall not only render services in the interests of their clients, but also endeavor to protect human rights and achieve social justice through their practices.

Can a practicing attorney be a judge?

A practicing attorney cannot concurrently hold office as a judge or a prosecutor at the same time. However, since they all complete the same training of a legal apprentice, it is possible for a judge or a prosecutor to become an attorney and for an attorney to become a judge or a prosecutor.

Japanese Legal Education and Recent Changes

Before we begin, this article is not about how to become a lawyer in Japan, but rather to provide information about Japanese law, the history of legal education and how to study about Japanese law in Japan. For those studying or working in international law, or doing business with Japanese firms, it may be worth taking a course on law in Japan.

Study Japanese Law in Japan

To become a lawyer in Japan, you must be fluent in Japanese and pass the Bar Exam. That in itself is a huge hurdle if you are from overseas, as you must be committed to going through law school like a native Japanese person - or take the Yobi-Shiken mentioned above before taking the Bar Exam.

Other Programs, the Bar Exam, and Registered Foreign Lawyers

There are universities in Japan that offer short term programs or short summer courses that even non law students can take. These courses primarily focus on the understanding and application of Japanese Law that has both similarities and differences from western law.

Summary

The journey of being a lawyer is not an easy feat. It takes several years for you to finish law school; then, you have to study and pass the bar exam in your country. And if you go into international law, you have to study about other countries’ legal systems as well.

How to become a registered foreign lawyer in Japan?

In order to become a "registered foreign lawyer," a foreign practitioner must first be approved by the Minister of Justice. In addition to other substantive requirements, foreign lawyers who wish to practice foreign law in Japan must have a valid license in their home or other jurisdiction and post-qualification experience. ...

What is the International Committee of the Tokyo Bar Association?

The International Committee of the Tokyo Bar Association ("International Committee") oversees matters relating to Registered Foreign Lawyers, including the processing of GJB applications and GBJ discipline. The International Committee boasts several GJBs as members and is actively engaged in building closer links between foreign lawyers and Japanese lawyers based in Tokyo.

What is a GJB subject to?

Disciplinary Action. A GJB may be subject to a disciplinary action by a resolution of the GJB disciplinary committee of the JFBA if the GJB violates any provision of the Foreign Lawyers Act, the JFBA's rules or rules of the local bar association to which the GJB belongs.

What is the Foreign Lawyers Act?

The enactment of the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Handling of Legal Services by Foreign Lawyers ("For eign Lawyers Act") in 1987 created a class of lawyers qualified to practice specified foreign laws in Japan. The qualification system was originally based on the principle of reciprocity, with a view to improving the availability in Japan of legal services in international legal matters. If you wish to practice law in Japan, you must comply with the requirements and procedures for foreign lawyers under the Foreign Lawyers Act and be registered as a special member of both the Japan Federation of Bar Associations and a local bar association.

When was the Foreign Lawyers Act enacted?

The Foreign Lawyers Act has undergone a number of major amendments since it was first enacted in 1987. The first of these amendments, enacted in 1994, was in response to and based upon commitments undertaken by Japan, as part of the GATS agreement.

Can foreign lawyers practice in Japan?

Eligible practitioners may be permitted to practice the law of the jurisdiction (s) in which they are licensed in Japan. If a foreign lawyer files an application for approval, the Minister of Justice will solicit the views of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (Nichibenren) or "JFBA.". After the Minister of Justice approves ...

How long does it take to become a foreign lawyer?

First, approval from the Minister of Justice shall be obtained to be qualified as a registered foreign lawyer, for which certain conditions need to be fulfilled, such as three years of job experience, among other conditions. A person who has obtained such approval from the Minister of Justice may provide legal services as a registered foreign ...

What is a registered foreign lawyer?

A registered foreign lawyer is authorized to handle legal services concerning the laws of the state in which he or she obtained qualification as a lawyer (the state of primary qualification) or the laws of a specific state designated by the Minister of Justice (designated laws). Further, he or she may handle legal services concerning the laws ...

What are the disciplinary actions against foreign lawyers?

There are four types of disciplinary action against a registered foreign lawyer: (1) admonition; (2) suspension of practice for not more than two years; (3) order to withdraw from the bar association; and (4) disbarment.

Can a foreign lawyer be a JFBA member?

A person who has obtained such approval from the Minister of Justice may provide legal services as a registered foreign lawyer by registering as a foreign special member of the JFBA. If the applicant for such registration with the JFBA belongs to an ABS (Alternative Business Structure), a type of law firm that allows non-lawyers to own ...

Can foreign lawyers run joint enterprises?

Further, registered foreign lawyers may run a joint enterprise with an attorney at law for the purpose of providing legal services. However, they shall not be improperly involved in the handling of any legal services of such attorney at law with whom they run the joint enterprise or whom they employ, provided that those legal services are outside ...

Can a foreign lawyer employ an attorney at law?

Registered foreign lawyers may employ an attorney at law, but may not provide any business instruction to the attorney at law concerning legal services beyond the scope of their competence, as well as handling the same for themselves.

Can a foreign lawyer be a corporation?

A registered foreign lawyer may establish a registered foreign lawyer corporation in accordance with the Act on Special Measures concerning the Handling of Legal Services by Foreign Lawyers. The members of a registered foreign lawyer corporation must be registered foreign lawyers.

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Overview

The legal industry

The legal profession in Japan (hōsō) comprises judges, prosecutors and attorneys. In Japan, judges are not selected from experienced lawyers, but instead are selected after the one-year of mandatory "Legal Training Research Institute".
More than 100 universities have an undergraduate law faculty, which means that many people study law at the undergraduate level and go work for companies in a role that is unrelated to law…

History

Historically, Japanese customs instituted an avoidance of legal involvement, based upon Confucian doctrines, and Japanese principles of harmony; anyone brought before a court for a criminal or civil matter suffered public and private humiliation, since they disrupted harmony.
Nevertheless, by the 18th century, innkeepers in Edo began offering simple legal services for guests. They were known as Kujishi. By the 19th century, references began to appear in Japanes…

Qualification

With several minor exceptions, attorneys at law are required to pass a national bar examination (司法試験, shihō shiken, lit. "legal examination") followed by one year of internship, supervised by the Legal Research and Training Institute (司法研修所, Shihō Kenshūjo) of the Supreme Court of Japan.
There were 72 law schools as of July 2013 in Japan. Applications in law school in Japan has be…

Bar association membership

In addition to passing bar examinations, an attorney must also be a member of the bar association (弁護士会, bengoshikai) for the prefecture where the law office is located. According to a 2008 survey by the Japanese Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA), 39.4% of all lawyers belong to the three Tokyo bar associations (Tokyo Bar Association, First Tokyo Bar Association, and Second Tokyo Bar Association).

See also

• Judicial system of Japan
• Phoenix Wright

External links

• Japan Federation of Bar Associations

Japanese Legal Education and Recent Changes

Image
Before we begin, this article is not about how to become a lawyer in Japan, but rather to provide information about Japanese law, the history of legal education and how to study about Japanese law in Japan. For those studying or working in international law, or doing business with Japanese firms, it may be worth taking …
See more on we-xpats.com

Study Japanese Law in Japan

  • To become a lawyer in Japan, you must be fluent in Japanese and pass the Bar Exam. That in itself is a huge hurdle if you are from overseas, as you must be committed to going through law school like a native Japanese person - or take the Yobi-Shiken mentioned above before taking the Bar Exam. However, if you simply wish to learn about Japanese law ...
See more on we-xpats.com

Other Programs, The Bar Exam, and Registered Foreign Lawyers

  • Short Term Programs Specialized for Studying Japanese Law
    There are universities in Japan that offer short term programs or short summer courses that even non law students can take. These courses primarily focus on the understanding and application of Japanese Law that has both similarities and differences from western law. Meiji University offer…
  • Studying American Law in Japan
    If you wish to study American Law in Japan, there are some universities who specialise in teaching American Law. One example would be Temple University that has a school for American Law called Beasley School of Law. Temple University allows both locals and international stude…
See more on we-xpats.com

Summary

  • The journey of being a lawyer is not an easy feat. It takes several years for you to finish law school; then, you have to study and pass the bar exam in your country. And if you go into international law, you have to study about other countries’ legal systems as well. If you’re interested in simply learning about Japanese law, Japan has law schools that cater to both loca…
See more on we-xpats.com

Ministry of Justice Approval and Registration as A Registered Foreign Lawyer

  • In order to become a "registered foreign lawyer," a foreign practitioner must first be approved by the Minister of Justice. In addition to other substantive requirements, foreign lawyers who wish to practice foreign law in Japan must have a valid license in their home or other jurisdiction and post-qualification experience. Prior to the 2020 amendm...
See more on toben.or.jp

Disciplinary Action

  • A GJB may be subject to a disciplinary action by a resolution of the GJB disciplinary committee of the JFBA if the GJB violates any provision of the Foreign Lawyers Act, the JFBA's rules or rules of the local bar association to which the GJB belongs.
See more on toben.or.jp

How Many Gjbs Registered

  • As of March 1, 2021, there were 442 GJBs registered as special members of the JFBA, of which 86 GJBs were registered with the Tokyo Bar Association (Toben).
See more on toben.or.jp

Major Amendments to The Foreign Lawyers Act

  • The Foreign Lawyers Act has undergone a number of major amendments since it was first enacted in 1987. The first of these amendments, enacted in 1994, was in response to and based upon commitments undertaken by Japan, as part of the GATS agreement. Pursuant to this amendment, certain requirements for registration as a GJB were relaxed (the current requiremen…
See more on toben.or.jp

Role of International Committee

  • The International Committee of the Tokyo Bar Association ("International Committee") oversees matters relating to Registered Foreign Lawyers, including the processing of GJB applications and GBJ discipline. The International Committee boasts several GJBs as members and is actively engaged in building closer links between foreign lawyers and Japanese lawyers based in Tokyo.
See more on toben.or.jp