Alexandru Arba
Research expert covering Japan
Legal services in Japan - statistics & facts
Legal services are an integral part of a country's justice system, indispensable in upholding the principle of justice in a society. Legal matters permeate all aspects of modern society, leading to a demand for specific legal services. In Japan, this resulted in an industry landscape that consists of a highly specialized workforce.
The legal services industry in Japan employs a few hundred thousand persons. Only a fraction of that figure consists of general lawyers. Other segments include scriveners, as well as accountants, and land house investigators. In terms of market revenue of the legal services industry, the accountant profession comprises the largest segment, followed by law offices.
In Japan, there are different types of courts dealing with different types of offenses or cases. Summary courts deal with comparatively light offenses, while regional and over-regional courts, as well as the Highest Court of Japan, deal with more serious charges. Furthermore, family-related issues are dealt with at family courts, while civil lawsuits and penal cases are administered at regional courts. In the majority of cases that are brought to court, defendants are represented legally by lawyers, especially in the case of penal offenses.
Other than in the courtroom, the services of lawyers are also solicited for legal counsel. While a substantial share of attorneys are generalists, many others specialize in a certain field, such as in labor and social security issues, or patents.
The line of work of tax accountants and certified public accountants mainly revolves around financial reporting and counseling. They comprise the largest segments of the legal services industry in Japan in terms of market size, and tax accountants also account for the highest workforce share among all segments. Despite the ongoing population decline in Japan, the number of legal professionals in almost all segments was on the rise, indicating that the demand in society for legal representation, counsel, and support is becoming ever more important.
Attorneys and court cases
Disputes between individuals or companies that cannot be solved privately, or when individuals or companies are required to stand trial for committed injustices, involved entities often solicit (or are granted) the services of attorneys.In Japan, there are different types of courts dealing with different types of offenses or cases. Summary courts deal with comparatively light offenses, while regional and over-regional courts, as well as the Highest Court of Japan, deal with more serious charges. Furthermore, family-related issues are dealt with at family courts, while civil lawsuits and penal cases are administered at regional courts. In the majority of cases that are brought to court, defendants are represented legally by lawyers, especially in the case of penal offenses.
Other than in the courtroom, the services of lawyers are also solicited for legal counsel. While a substantial share of attorneys are generalists, many others specialize in a certain field, such as in labor and social security issues, or patents.
Other legal professions
Other segments of the legal profession industry in Japan include legal, and administrative scriveners, as well as tax accountants and certified public accountants. Next to managing legal paperwork and other tasks, scriveners often help with solving disputes. Many scriveners are qualified to represent clients at summary courts in the case of lighter offenses. Judicial scriveners also commonly engage in mediation work, solving disputes before they reach any courtroom.The line of work of tax accountants and certified public accountants mainly revolves around financial reporting and counseling. They comprise the largest segments of the legal services industry in Japan in terms of market size, and tax accountants also account for the highest workforce share among all segments. Despite the ongoing population decline in Japan, the number of legal professionals in almost all segments was on the rise, indicating that the demand in society for legal representation, counsel, and support is becoming ever more important.
