Notice on the Simplification of Application Documents for Approval of Registered Foreign Lawyers

The Ministry of Justice has further simplified the application documents for approval of qualifications for registered foreign lawyers (application for approval of registered foreign lawyers) in order to make it easier for applicants to prepare the necessary documents.

1. Details on the latest simplifications

(1) Simplification of employer-related documents (reusing common documents)

  Among the employer-related documents to be prepared by the same employer for multiple employee applicants, the following documents attached to a most recent application, which are to be considered common to all employee applications, may be reused as long as those documents are up to date and the information included in them has not changed. In addition, the documents that have been approved for reuse do not need to be submitted when the application is filed.

  If you are filing an application and wish to reuse those documents, please submit the ”Petition for Reuse of Employer-Related Documents” (see Attachment 1) prepared by your employer at the time of your application.

  Documents that can be considered common to all employee applications

  Note: Excluding documents that include the name of a past applicant and verify or provide guarantees on matters specific to that applicant

  (a) Documents verifying that the applicant intends to perform their duties properly and reliably

  → A document that outlines the business of the employer’s office, such as details on work duties

  → A copy of the lease agreement for the employer’s office

  → A document verifying that the employer supports and supervises the applicant so that they can perform their duties properly and reliably

  (b) Documents verifying the financial basis

  → A written guarantee verifying that the employer will support the applicant’s stay in Japan for as long as that applicant is employed

  → The most recent financial audit report verifying that the employer has warrantable financial capabilities or a letter from an audit firm or a similar organization evaluating the employer’s financial situation

  (c) Document verifying the ability to compensate for damage

  → A document with information on the applicability of liability insurance as well as the amount covered by that liability insurance

  → A written guarantee (written statement) on the law firm’s liabilities for damages and the most recent financial audit report verifying that the employer, a foreign law firm, or a similar organization has warrantable financial capabilities to compensate for damage or a letter from an audit firm or a similar organization evaluating the financial situation of that organization

(2) Simplification of documents verifying applicants’ work experience as foreign lawyers for re-applications from applicants who have previously worked as registered foreign lawyers

  If an applicant has been approved as a registered foreign lawyer and reapplies for approval, they may prepare and submit a written statement (see Attachment 2) that provides details on their past approval and registration as a registered foreign lawyer instead of submitting documents that verify their work experience as a foreign lawyer.

2. Date of implementation    31 July 2024

3. Applications subject to these simplifications　Applications for approval of registered foreign lawyers filed after 31 July 2024

  Note: Preliminary examinations included. Applications for approval of registered foreign lawyers for which preliminary applications were filed before 31 July 2024 are not subject to these simplifications.

4. Contact information     Registered Foreign Lawyer Section, Examination and Supervision Division, Judicial System Department, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Justice

1-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan 100-8977    (+81)3-3580-4111 (ext.2374)