Advocacy and Lawyers in Japan

Lawyers and judges are highly valued around the globe. With that in mind, in this article we will talk a little about the legal profession in Japan.

In Japan, lawyers are known as Bengoshi [弁護士]. There are two types of lawyers in Japan: public lawyers and private lawyers. Public lawyers work for the government and are responsible for criminal cases, while private lawyers work for individuals and corporations and handle civil cases.

Being one of the largest economies in the world and a leading global financial center, Japan is an attractive destination for many international lawyers. The country’s legal system is based on civil law, with a strong influence from German and French law.

Japan is a member of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, and is a signatory of the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.

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Becoming a Lawyer in Japan

There are several reasons why lawyers may choose to practice in Japan. The country has a large and sophisticated legal market, with many opportunities for lawyers with international experience.

The Japanese legal system is known for its efficiency and impartiality, being ranked as one of the best in the world. Japan is also a safe and stable country, with a low crime rate and a high standard of living.

Becoming a lawyer in Japan is not an easy task. First, you must pass the bar exam, which is notoriously difficult. Only about 10% of those who take the exam pass it.

Once you pass the bar exam, you must then complete a two-year legal training program. After that, you can finally practice law.

If you are a foreigner and have already passed the bar in your country, you do not need to go through these processes in Japan. You will be recognized as a foreign lawyer.

The Japanese legal system is extremely complex, and lawyers play a vital role in it. If you are interested in becoming a lawyer in Japan, it is important to be prepared for a long and difficult road ahead.

Lawyer Culture in Japan

A historical fact is that Japanese customs create a certain apprehension regarding legal involvement. This is based on the doctrines of Confucianism and Japanese principles of harmony. Yes, one of the most interesting things about Japanese culture is the passion they have developed for the sense of harmony.

It is basically to say that someone brought before a court for a criminal or civil matter has suffered public and private humiliation. This is due to disrupting harmony in some way. Of course, in some cases, legal involvement is necessary, but that is up to each individual.

The Lawyer Industry

More than 100 universities have a law school at the undergraduate level. Check out some of the universities in Japan here. Thus, many study law at the undergraduate level and go to work for companies in roles unrelated to law. However, to become a lawyer, it is necessary to go to law school, pass the bar exam, and complete the LTRI.

As of August 2014, there were 35,031 lawyers registered with bar associations in Japan. The starting salaries for Japanese lawyers are typically around 10 million yen (US $100,000). This is in established law firms and about half of Japanese companies.

Bar Exam

Currently, the exam is like our OAB test. Where graduates are tested and thus gain the qualification certificate. But in Japan, the bar exam is just the first step to professional life.

The exam is divided into two stages. The first stage is a one-day quick response exam on the six laws and administrative law. The second stage is a three-day exam on essays in public law, civil law, and criminal law, as well as subjects that can be selected by the examinee (including labor law, environmental law, public international law, and private international law).

Additionally, a law school requirement has been introduced. All participants in the admission exam must complete a two or three-year graduate program and are limited to taking the exam within five years after graduation.

The Japanese bar exam is known as one of the most difficult exams in the world. Although bar passage rates have been rising after the structural reform in 2006, only about 20% of law school graduates surpass the barrier.

Students can only attempt to pass 5 times, after which they are disqualified. Most students study at independent private schools to pass the admission exam. The average age of those who pass the exam is 28 to 29 years.

Supreme Court Legal Training and Research Institute

Those who pass the admission exam participate in a one-year training process for the study of practical skills at the LTRI. Training at the LTRI consists of group training, classroom lessons, and field training.

The LTRI focuses on teaching litigation skills. When students pass the final exam at the LTRI, they become lawyers, prosecutors, or judges. Prosecutors and judges are carefully selected by the LTRI.

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Lawyers in Japan

In short, as we can see, the life of becoming a lawyer is not easy at all. Moreover, it is likely to be a little valued profession. It is a cat that no one wants to disturb the peace, or rather, most people do not want to.

Thus, lawyers remain as a last resort. But it is always possible to count on law firms, especially here in Brazil. After all, what is better than resolving everything in a good conversation among friends? But now it’s up to you, leave your comments on what you thought of the article.

Feel free to share the site on social media, it helps a lot. And if you have any questions, doubts, or anything like that about lawyers in Japan, leave a comment. Thank you for reading the article this far, goodbye.