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Practising law in Japan as a foreign lawyer

A route exists, with conditionsLimited home-law practice is possible

Japan has two separate routes. A foreign lawyer can be approved as a 'registered foreign lawyer' (gaikokuho jimu bengoshi) to advise on the law of their home country, or they can pass the same Japanese bar exam as everyone else, in Japanese, to practise Japanese law.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Rules change. This page describes the kinds of route that exist. The regulator listed under “Official sources” publishes the current requirements, fees and dates, so always confirm with them. This is general information, not legal advice.

The routes

Registered foreign lawyer (gaikokuho jimu bengoshi)

For: Lawyers admitted in a foreign country who want to advise on foreign law in Japan.

  1. Be admitted in a foreign country and have a minimum number of years of experience as a lawyer (currently about three years, part of which may be work in Japan).
  2. Apply to the Minister of Justice for approval and then register with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.
  3. Practise only within the scope allowed, which excludes Japanese law, though the rules now include international arbitration and mediation.

Qualify as a Japanese lawyer (bengoshi)

For: Anyone, including foreign nationals, who wants to practise Japanese law.

  1. Pass the national bar exam, normally by completing law school, or by passing the preliminary exam.
  2. Complete the legal training and research institute programme and register with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.

The exams and training are in Japanese.

Practising only your home-country law

Registered foreign lawyers may advise on the law of the country where they qualified, and on some designated foreign law. They cannot handle matters that involve Japanese law, and cannot appear in Japanese courts as counsel.

Understand the legal system first

Japan belongs to the Civil law family. Knowing how its system works makes the admission route easier to follow.

Read the Japan legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →
Compare Japan with another country →

Official sources

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TheLawToKnow Tools’s Bar Admission guide is an educational overview of general rules. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the regulator’s own information. Report a mistake.