Doing legal business in Japan

Everything you need to know about practising in Japan as an English or Welsh solicitor, partnering with a local law firm, or requalifying as an Japanese lawyer.

Japan is the high-tech powerhouse economy of Asia and the third largest economy in the world. It’s considered a competitive and stable business market with an increasingly globalised outlook.

Japan is the second largest computer and telecommunications market in the world. It’s ranked among the world’s most innovative countries.

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Improvements to how foreign lawyers register in Japan

From 31 July 2024, the Japanese Ministry of Justice has streamlined the registration process for foreign lawyers following our recommendations to improve market access.

We will review and update this guide.

Find out what's changed

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