Japanese Law Research Guide: Legal System & Statistics

was the organic law of the Japanese empire in effect from 1890 to 1945.

After World War II, there was a major legal reform, and the 1947 Constitution was drawn up under the Allied Occupation, with significant American influence.

There are five types of courts in Japan: the Supreme Court, High Courts, District Courts, Family Courts and Summary Courts. Japan adopts a three-tiered judicial system and a summary, family, or district court will be the court of first instance depending on the nature of the matter.

The Attorney Act defines the mission of attorneys as "protecting fundamental human rights and ensuring social justice" (Article 1). Attorneys have a mission to protect the fundamental human rights of the people and to work for social justice in the courtroom and in all of the legal services they provide.

Prepared by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office

This overview of the Japanese legal system, for a forthcoming third edition of the 'Elgar Encylopedia of Comparative Law' (Jaakko Husa, Madalena Narciso, Jan Smits and Catherine Valcke, eds), first sketches Japan’s rich legal history. Foreign influences came first from China, then mostly European law from the 19th century, overlaid by American law from the mid-20th century. Part 3 then looks at foundational legal principles under the post-War constitutonal system. Part 4 explains the court system, while Part 5 outlines Japan’s growing legal profession, both impacted by wide-ranging civil and criminal justice system reforms enacted over 2001-4. Part 6 concludes by considering the impact of those reforms on the rule (and role) of law in contemporary Japan.

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

Director-General for Policy Planning

IMF Special Data Dissemination

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

[2017] National Diet Library