Registered Foreign Lawyer
(Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi)
Manual on
Application for Approval & Designation
(Revised version of November 2022)
Judicial System Department
Minister’s Secretariat
Ministry of Justice
Persons qualifying as foreign lawyers, and other
persons concerned
Prepare the application form and accompanying documents required for application. The
Ministry of Justice's website and this manual will help you deepen your knowledge and
understanding on the application procedure.
The Ministry will also provide "counseling services" if you need them.
Preliminary counseling services
Contact us if you need counseling services, such as if you do not know appropriate
documents you should prepare, or you would like to know the past examples. By checking
documents, etc., you have submitted, we will answer your questions in accordance with
applicable laws, enforcement regulations, and past precedents.
Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi
Flow of Approval Procedures
* If you intend to obtain designation by the Ministry, the aforementioned procedures for approval
will be applied mutatis mutandis. However, an application for designation does not need to be filed
by the applicant in person at the Ministry.
Step Support
Counseling
Servicesp.18p.18p.19Notification of Examination results
Posting the results on the government gazette, and issuing approval notice or
notifying the applicant of refusal to approve.
* Staff in charge will let you know about the scheduled date of issuing the approval notice in advance.p.17Examination of application for Approval
* Including a request to the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA) for advicep.4Main Stage
Approval
Application for approval
An applicant intending to become a GJB (the applicant that files an application for
approval) files an application by bringing application form for approval and accompanying
documents to the Ministry of Justice office with them.
* You can submit accompanying documents (except the Sworn Statements) by E-mail attaching their PDF
data.
* You don't need to prepare the Sworn Statements because we provide them in our office and you are
supposed to affix the signature to them at the time of application.
* You need to pay the application fee (27,500円 for approval / 13,400円 for designation) by revenue stamps.
Please bring them without affixing.
* The Ministry of Justice will issue the approval application receipt after checking all the documents.
* Make contact with us about the time of your visit to our office because we need to make an adjustment
in advance.
* We proceed the application in Japanese. If you need an interpreter of Japanese, the interpreter should
also visit our office with you.
Notification of Examination result
The Ministry will let you know whether you would satisfy the requirements for Examination of
application for approval. In addition, the ministry will tell you about types, descriptions, or corrections, if
any, of the necessary documents, depending on your foreign lawyer qualification and work experience.
Preliminary Stage
Preliminary
Examination
Applying for the Preliminary Examination
Applicant intending to become a GJB (the applicant that files an application) may,
before filing an application for approval, take a check whether they would satisfy
statutory requirements.
Preliminary Examination is available for free. An application through a proxy is
acceptable.
* Examiners will check whether all of the necessary documents for "Examination of application for
approval" are submitted.
* You do not have to submit the original documents. Photocopies are acceptable. You can submit the
documents in PDF format by attaching them to the e-mail.
* The Ministry of Justice will issue a Preliminary Examination receipt after checking all the documents.p.12Contact information
GJB Section, Examination and Supervision Division, Judicial System
Department, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of Justice
1-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Tel: 03-3580-4111 (ext. 2374)
e-mail address: gaiben1@i.moj.go.jp (Only for application
procedure)
* The e-mail address is available exclusively for application procedure.
We cannot respond to e-mail that is unrelated to application.
Glossary
The followings are the terms and their corresponding meanings which are used in
this Manual and the attached Reference Materials.
Term Meaning
Attorney at Law An attorney at law under the provisions of the
AttorneysAct (Act No. 205 of 1949)
AttorneysAct TheAttorneysAct (Act No. 205 of 1949)
Biennial Report Documents which a person who has obtainedApproval
as Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi shall submit to the
Minister every two years pursuant paragraph (2) of
Article 10 of the Regulations
Designated Laws The Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction as
to which a person who has obtained approval under the
provisions ofArticle 9 is designated under the
provisions ofArticle 17, paragraph(1) (Article 2, item
(xii) of the GJBAct).
Foreign Lawyers
Committee
The Foreign Lawyers and International Legal Practice
Committee in the JFBAGJB/Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi
Registered foreign lawyer in Japan
GJBAct TheAct on the Handling of Legal Services by Foreign
Lawyers (Act No. 66 of 1986)
GJB Section Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi Qualification Examination
Section,
Examination and Supervision Division,
Judicial System Department, Minister’s Secretariat,
Ministry of Justice, Japan
JFBA The Japan Federation of BarAssociations
Joint Corporation An attorney at law/registered foreign lawyer joint
corporation (Article 2, item (vi) of the GJBAct)
Laws of a Specified
Foreign Jurisdiction
The laws which are or were in effect in a Specified
Foreign Jurisdiction
(Article 2, item (xi) of the GJBAct)
Laws of the Jurisdiction of
Primary Qualification
The laws which are or were in effect in the Jurisdiction
of Primary Qualification.
(Article 2, item (viii) of the GJBAct)
Manual The Manual onApplication forApproval and
Designation
Minister The Minister of Justice, Japan
Ministry The Ministry of Justice, Japan
Regulations The Regulations for Enforcement of theAct on the
Term Meaning
Handling of Legal Services by Foreign Lawyers
( Ministry of Justice Order No. 7, 1987)
PEApplication Receipt Areceipt for an application for preliminary examination
Specified Foreign
Jurisdiction
Aspecified foreign jurisdiction other than a Jurisdiction
of Primary Qualification (Article 2, item (x) of the GJBAct)Jurisdiction of Primary
Qualification
The foreign jurisdiction where a person who has
obtained approval under the provisions of theArticle 9
acquired the qualification to become a Foreign Lawyer,
which served as the basis for such approval (Article 2,
item (vii) of the GJBAct)
Statement Awritten statement setting out application particulars
listed inArticle 6, paragraph (1), item (i), sub-items (a)
to (f) of the Regulations to be prepared by a person who
applies for approval of their qualification to become aGJB.Sworn Statement One of the documents listed inArticle 6, paragraph (1),
items (vi) to (viii) of the Regulations that a person who
applies for an approval of their qualification to become a
GJB is to sign in the presence of the officers of the
Ministry at the time of filing in person.
Table of contents
Section 1
Purposes of this Manual (Page 1)
Section 2
What should you do if you are qualified as a foreign lawyer and intend to practice in
Japan? (Page 1)
Section 3
Approval for qualification to become a GJB (Page1)
Section 4
What should you do if you engage in legal affairs related with the Laws of a Specified
Foreign Jurisdiction other than that of your qualification as a foreign lawyer which
serves as a basis for approval? (Page 2)
Section 5
Notification/report to the Ministry (Page 2)
Section 1
Outline (Page 4)
Section 2
Approval criteria
1. Qualification as a foreign lawyer (Page 6)
2. Post-qualification work experience of not less than 3 years (Page 6)
(1) Place of work experience
(2) Total length of work experience
(3) Work experience in Japan
3. Other requirements (Page 6)
Section 3
Procedures for approval (Page 9)
1. Things to know before application (Page 9)
(1) Application for approval and Preliminary Examination
(2) Standard processing time
(3) Document formats usedfor the application process
(4) Attaching the translated version of documents
(5) Provision of information on progress
2. Preliminary Examination (Page 12)
(1) How to apply for a Preliminary Examination
(2) Documents to be submitted
(3) Examination
3.Application for approval (Page 14)
(1) How to file an application
(2) Documents to be submitted
4. Examination of application for approval (Page17)
5. Notification of examination results (Page 18)
Part 1 Introduction
Part 2 Approval procedures for qualification to become a GJB
(1) Decision to approve
(2) Decision not to approve
6. Counseling services (Page 18)
Section 1
Outline (Page 19)
Section 2
Requirements for designating the Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction (Page 19)
Section 3
Procedures for designating the Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction (Page 20)
1. Things to know before application (Page 20)
(1) Simultaneous application for approval and designation
(2) Application for designation and Preliminary Examination
(3) Standard processing time
(4) Document formats usedfor the application process
(5) Attaching the translated version of deliverables
(6) Provision of information on progress
2. Preliminary Examination (Page 22)
(1) How to apply for a Preliminary Examination
(2) Documents to be submitted
(3) Examination
3.Application for designation (Page 23)
(1) How to file an application
(2) Documents to be submitted
4. Examination of application for designation (Page 26)
5. Notification of examination results (Page 26)
(1) Decision to designate
(2) Decision not to designate
6. Counseling services (Page 27)
Section 1
Application for approval (Page 28)
1.Application form for approval (Page 28)
2.Accompanying documents for application form for approval (Page 29)
3. Management of accompanying documents recognized as common materials
(Page 41)
Section 2
Application for designation (Page 42)
1.Application form for designation (Page 42)
2.Accompanying documents for application form for designation (Page 42)
Section 3
Preliminary Examination (Page 44)
Part 3 Designation procedures for the Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction
Part 4 Commentary on accompanying documents
to be prepared
1. Document corresponding to application form for approval/designation (Page 44)
2. Document corresponding to accompanying documents (Page 44)
Section 4
Provision of reference forms (Page 44)
Section 5
Reference cases of application for approval (reference examples of application
documents) ( Page 45)
Section 6
Examples of applicationform and personal statement (Page 53)
Section 1
Notification/report that must be made by persons whose qualification as GJB were
approved (Page 59)
1. Notification (Page 59)
(1) If notification is necessary...
(2) How to give notification
2. Report (so-called "biennial report") (Page 62)
(1) Document to be submitted
(2) How to report
Section 2
Notification/report that must be made by persons who obtained the designation of
Laws of Specified Foreign Jurisdiction (Page 64)
1. Notification (Page 64)
2. Report (so-called "biennial report" (Page 65)
(1) Document submitted
(2) How to submit documents
Reference material 1
Outline of the system of GJB (registered foreign lawyer) and scope of professional
activities
Reference material 2
Reference forms
Part 5 Notification /report obligations to be prepared1Section 1
Purposes of this Manual
For the convenience of the persons who are going to follow various
procedures concerning GJB, this Manual is designed to show past examples
and explain important points in going on with the procedures, focusing on
how to prepare application documents.
This Manual is compiled based on the amended version of the GJB Act and
the Regulations which are effective as of November 1, 2022.
Section 2
What should you do if you are qualified as a foreign lawyer and intend to
practice in Japan?
In Japan, persons other than Attorney at Law or legal professional
corporations are, in principle, prohibited from engaging in legal services as a
profession for the sake of receiving remuneration (Article 72, the Attorneys
Act).
This principle also applies to persons qualified as lawyers in foreign
jurisdiction.
Accordingly, even if you are a qualified foreign lawyer, in Japan, you may not
engage in legal services as a profession for the sake of receiving
remuneration.
However, a foreign lawyer practicing as a Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi may
engage in a certain scope of legal services in relation to certain foreign laws.
To become a GJB you need to: 1) obtain an approval of your qualification to
become a GJB from the Minister; and 2) be registered on the roll of GJB
maintained by the JFBA.
Section 3
Approval of qualification to become a GJB
To get approval of your qualification to become a GJB, you need to satisfy
certain requirements provided in the GJB Act and the Regulations.
They also set forth detailed rules on how to file an application. You need to
submit an application form for approval accompanied by supporting
documents that certify your qualification meets the requirements for
approval.
Part 1 Introduction2Section 4
What should you do if you wish to engage in legal affairs related to the Laws
of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction other than that of your qualification as a
foreign lawyer which serves as a basis for approval?
In principle, a GJB is only permitted to engage in legal services related to the
Laws of the Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification. A GJB is prohibited from
engaging in legal services relating to laws of any other foreign jurisdiction.
For example, if you are a lawyer qualified in the United Kingdom and
registered as a GJB in Japan based on your United Kingdom qualification, in
principle, you are only permitted to engage in legal services related to the
laws of United Kingdom.
If you wish to engage in legal services related to the laws of a foreign
jurisdiction other than the Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification you need to:
1) obtain a designation of the Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction from
the Minister; and 2) have a supplementary registration of the Designated
Laws added on the roll of GJB maintained by the JFBA.
To obtain a designation of the Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction, a
GJB needs to satisfy certain requirements which are prescribed in the GJB
Act and the Regulations.
They also set forth detailed rules on how to file an application for designation.
You need to submit an application form for designation accompanied by
supporting documents that certify your qualification meets requirements for
designation.
Note: A GJB may provide legal services concerning the Laws of a Specified Foreign
Jurisdiction other than Designated Laws, so called "a third country law", so long as
the cases fall into the Article 6, the GJB Act. For further details of other legal
services that a GJB may practice, please refer to Reference Material 1, "Outline of
the system of GJB (registered foreign lawyer) and scope of professional activities".
Section 5
Notification / report to the Ministry
If you are qualified as a foreign lawyer and become a GJB upon being
registered on the roll of GJB maintained by the JFBA, you are subject to the
supervision of the JFBA and your local bar association as their foreign
special member.
In practicing as a GJB, you need to comply with the GJB Act as well as
applicable provisions set forth in the rules and regulations of these
organizations.
An approval of the qualification to become a GJB and a designation of the
Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction are both granted by the Minister.
Therefore, if there are any changes in the facts serving as the basis for the
Minister’s approval or designation after you obtained them, you need to3notify the Minister of such changes.
In addition, once you obtained them, you have to submit prescribed
documents to the Minister every two years from the date of approval /
designation (hereinafter this obligation is referred to "Biennial Report").
The GJB Act and the Regulations set forth detailed requirements concerning
ongoing obligations.4Section 1
Outline
In order for your qualification to become a GJB to be approved, you need to
apply for approval and go through an examination to ascertain whether you
satisfy the requirements for approval.
The flowchart of approval procedure is on the next page.
Part 2 Approval procedures for qualification to become a GJB
Section 1 Outline (Page 4 )
Section 2 Approval criteria (Page 6 )
1. Qualification as a foreign lawyer (Page 6 )
2. Post-qualification work experience of not less than 3
years (Page 6 )
3. Other requirements (Page 6 )
Section 3 Procedures for approval (Page 9 )
1. Things to know before application (Page 9 )
2. Preliminary Examination (Page 12 )
3. Application for approval (Page 14 )
4. Examination of application for approval (Page 17 )
5. Notification of examination results (Page 18 )
6. Counseling services (Page 18 )5◆だいやまーく Flow of procedures relating to GJB ◆だいやまーく
An application for Preliminary Examination is made
(Start of Preliminary Examination)
Eligible for approval Not eligible for approval
Not eligible for approval
Request to reconsider an
application for approval
Explanation on reasons
for non-eligibility
Prospective applicant
Opinion received from the JFBA
Counseling services to
proceed to the approval
procedures
Consultation
Eligible for approval
Filing of application for approval
(including the payment of fee, signing of Sworn Statements)
Decision to approve
Final opinion or
decision to carry
forward adopted
Before an application for Preliminary
Examination is made, the
completeness etc. of the application
documents is checked.
The Ministry's request for
the JFBA’s opinion
Application
particulars
forwarded
Consideration by the Foreign
Lawyers Committee in the JFBA
Committee
meeting held
Counseling
services
Preliminary
Examination
procedures
Approval
procedures
Approval
procedures,
notificationofresults,andpublicationinthe
official
gazette
ConsultationwiththeJFBAStandard
processingtimefor
normal
cases:
Preliminary
Examination:atmost2weeks
Examinationofapplicationforapproval:atmost2months
(includingtheconsultationwiththe
JFBA)
Afteranapprovalisgiven,theapplicant
needstogo
throughtheregistration
proceduresatthebarassociationtowhichtheywishtojoin.
Decision not to approve
The JFBA's Opinion;
Eligible for approval
The JFBA's Opinion;
Not eligible for approval
Re-examination by the Ministry
Notification to applicantsandNotification to the JFBA
Notification to applicantsandNotification to the JFBA
Instructions to amend documents or submit
additional documents
Publication in the official gazette
Notifications to applicants and
Notification to the JFBA
Request from the
Ministry received6Section 2
Approval criteria
To obtain the approval of your qualification to become a GJB, you need to
satisfy certain requirements.
This is judged from the accompanying documents attached to the application
form.
1. Qualification as a foreign lawyer
A "foreign lawyer" means a person who engages in legal services in a foreign
jurisdiction as a profession in an equivalent capacity to that of Attorney at
Law in Japan.
In the case of the federal countries listed below, the term "foreign
jurisdiction" means its constituent unit such as a state, province, territory
and others.
The United States of America States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S.
possessions
Australia States, the Capital Territory, and the Northern
Territory
Canada Provinces and territories
Please refer to the lists in the section titled "Precedent list of foreign lawyer
qualifications" in Part 4: Commentary on accompanying documents to be
prepared" for the examples of foreign legal qualifications that have been
recognized by the Ministry.
If you do not find your qualification in the list, the Ministry needs to
examine: 1) whether your qualification is for handling of legal services as a
profession; and 2) whether your qualification is comparable to that of
Attorney at Law in Japan. Both criteria (1) and (2) need to be satisfied. In
this case, you may be requested to provide an explanation on the framework
for your legal qualification based on materials in writing.
If you used to be registered in the Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification but
not at present, you are advised to consult with the GJB Section.
2. Post-qualification work experience not less than 3 years
(1) Place of work experience
In addition to the period of work experience in the Jurisdiction of Primary
Qualification, you may count a period in any other foreign jurisdiction where7you have lawfully engaged in legal services based on your knowledge of the
Laws of the Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification.
You may also include a period of your work experience in Japan up to two
years, as repeated in (3).
Your work experience may be, either only in the Jurisdiction of Primary
Qualification or only in any other foreign jurisdiction. Moreover, you may
make a combination of your experiences in several countries, for example,
the Jurisdiction of Primary qualification and any other foreign jurisdiction,
or a combination of the Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification and Japan and
so on. There is no chronological order to be experienced, and each experience
may not necessarily be continued to another.
(2) Total length of work experience
You are required to have more than three years of work experience. The
period may be whole continued term. If you have taken leaves of absence or
have been out of work in your career, you may add the periods you have
practiced to make it more than three years. A period such as a leave of
absence while you have not practiced may not be counted. However, you may
include a period when you have practiced as a lawyer but not actually
handled legal services.
(3) Work experience in Japan
The work experience in Japan that can be counted is limited to your
provision of service as an employee to an Attorney at Law, a legal
professional corporation, a GJB, a registered foreign lawyer corporation, or a
Joint corporation based on your knowledge of the Laws of the Jurisdiction of
Primary Qualification.
You may count these periods as your experience up to two years in total.
3. Other requirements
Other requirements for approval are shown in the chart on the next page.8Approval criteria
1. Qualification as a foreign lawyer
2. Post-qualification work experience not less than 3 years
Work experience not less than 3 years
Periods of (1) to (3) below may be added up
(1) Work experience in the Jurisdiction of
Primary Qualification
(2) Work experience in any other foreign
jurisdiction(s),
(3) Work experience in Japan
See "Work experience in Japan" to the right.
Work experience in Japan
•Work experience in Japan may be included
up to two years.
•The work experience in Japan that can be
counted is limited to that of the applicant's
provision of service as an employee to an
Attorney at Law, a legal professional
corporation, a GJB, a registered foreign
lawyer corporation or an attorney at law /
registered foreign lawyer joint corporation
based on their knowledge of the Laws of the
Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification.
3. Intention to faithfully perform professional duties
4. Business plan, accommodation, and financial basis for an appropriate and
secure performance of professional duties
5. Ability to compensate for any losses that the applicant may cause to clients
6. An approval is not given if you fall under any one of the followings.
Applicants falling under any of the disqualification causes for Attorney at Law.
Applicants falling under any one of the following categories:
a person who has been sentenced to a punishment under foreign laws and regulations which
is equivalent to imprisonment or heavier punishment.
a person who has been given a court ruling under foreign laws and regulations which is
equivalent to a dismissal by the Court of Impeachment
a person who has been punished under foreign laws and regulations which is equivalent to a
disciplinary action provided in Article 7, item (iii) of the Attorneys Act, and for whom three
years have not passed from the date the punishment was imposed.
a person who is treated under foreign laws and regulations, in a manner equivalent to a
person who received an order for the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings and who
has not had their rights restored.
7. Unless either of the following circumstances applies, an approval will not be
given.
In the Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification of the applicant, persons qualified as Attorney at Law
receives substantially the same treatment as the treatment of foreign lawyers under the GJB Act.
If a person who is qualified to be an Attorney at Law does not receive substantially the same treatment
as the treatment of foreign lawyers under the GJB Act in the Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification of
the applicant, the non-approval on those grounds violates the sincere implementation of treaties or other
international agreements.9Section 3
Procedures for approval
1. Things to know before application
(1) Application for approval and Preliminary Examination
In order for your qualification to become a GJB to be approved, you need to
file an application for approval.
When you file, you need to submit an application form for approval
accompanied by supporting documents.
Once you file an application for approval, the Ministry examines as to
whether you satisfy the requirements for approval based on the application
form and accompanying documents that you have submitted.
If, after the filing, the application documents turn out to be unsatisfactory to
a significant degree, the Ministry may not approve your application on the
basis that you have not satisfied the requirements for approval.
If your documents are unsatisfactory but not to a significant degree as above,
you may be requested to amend the documents or submit additional
materials.
The Ministry provides Preliminary Examination services prior to the actual
filing of an application for approval if a prospective applicant so wishes.
For your reference, almost all prospective applicants opt to go through the
Preliminary Examination process.
The Ministry also provides general counseling on procedures for approval as
well as individual consultation for prospective applicants. The information
for contacting the Ministry is on the boxed article at the bottom of the chart,
the "Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi / Flow of Approval Procedures",10(2) Standard processing time
The Ministry prescribes the standard processing time depending on the
procedures as follows.
Preliminary Examination at most two weeks from the date of issuance of a PE
Application Receipt
Examination of application
for approval
at most two months from the date of issuance of
approval application receipt
However, the contents of examination vary depending on the cases, since
the procedures for approval are to specifically examine whether each
applicant satisfies requirements for approval. Therefore, each of the
standard processing time mentioned above represents only a rough estimate.
In recent examples, for applicants who have filed applications in an
appropriate manner following this Manual, the procedures have been
completed mostly within the above standard processing time.
(3) Document formats used for the application process
Application forms and certain accompanying documents have formats
prescribed by the relevant laws and regulations.
For the convenience of applicants, the Ministry provides forms of documents
in the prescribed formats. You may also create forms of documents including
an application form, using software such as Microsoft Office Word as long as
they are in the prescribed formats.
The Ministry also provides some of the forms for other documents that do not
require prescribed formats.
How to obtain the forms of documents for approval
1. Downloading from the Ministry’s website
http://www.moj.go.jp/housei/gaiben/housei07_00028.html
https://www.moj.go.jp/EN/housei/gaiben/housei07_00003.html
●くろまるThe following forms are available from the URL above.
Application form for approval (Japanese and English)
Personal Statement (Japanese and English)
Sworn Statements (Japanese and English)
Reference forms (Japanese and English)
2. Obtaining the forms at the Ministry’s office11(4) Attaching the translated version of documents
If any of your accompanying documents is in a foreign language, you need to
attach a Japanese translation.
The translation needs to contain 1) the translator's name, 2) the date of
translation, and 3) the statement to the effect that they have faithfully
translated the original.
Any application document that is originally in Japanese need not be
translated. An original Japanese document (whether an application form or
an accompanying document) may be submitted without translation.
(5) Provision of information on progress
The Ministry provides certain information including the progress of
application and the estimated time when the results are likely to be notified,
if the applicant so wishes.
Examples of available information on progress
The Ministry provides the following information for example.
◆だいやまーくWhen the PE Application Receipt is issued...
- Estimated time when a Preliminary Examination is likely to be completed
◆だいやまーくWhen an application for approval is filed...
- Time of request for the JFBA's opinion
- Scheduled date of monthly meeting of the Foreign Lawyers Committee in the JFBA
◆だいやまーくWhen the Ministry receives an opinion from the JFBA...
- Outline of the JFBA's opinion
- Estimated time when the examination results are notified
- Scheduled date when the Minister’s approval is published in the official gazette122. Preliminary Examination
The Ministry provides Preliminary Examination services prior to the actual
filing of an application for approval, if a prospective applicant so wishes.
(1) How to apply for Preliminary Examination
Unlike an application for approval, you need not to file an application for
Preliminary Examination at the Ministry's office in person. If you are
residing outside Japan, you need not to come to Japan until the time of
formal filing for which you need to appear in person.
You may appoint an agent to handle an application for Preliminary
Examination on your behalf. In this case, you need to provide the Ministry
with a power of attorney stating the particulars of your agent, including the
job title, contact information of the agent and the organization to which the
agent belongs.
For the sample power of attorney, refer to "Reference Form 9" provided at the
end of Reference Material 2.
The Preliminary Examination process is free of charge.
The Ministry issues a PE Application Receipt upon accepting an application
for Preliminary Examination.
In any progress inquiry to the Ministry about the Preliminary Examination
process that you may wish to make after the application, please state a
reference number on the PE Application Receipt to facilitate the smooth
handling of your inquiry.
If your documents for Preliminary Examination turn out to be unsatisfactory
to a significant degree, the Ministry may not accept your application by so
pointing out. If the Ministry decides not to accept an application for
Preliminary Examination that has been sent by mail, the submitted
documents are returned with a statement of non-acceptance and its reason.
(2) Documents to be submitted
The Regulations provides that documents equivalent to an application form
for approval and its accompanying documents need to be submitted in
applying for Preliminary Examination.
There are no prescribed forms for this examination. However, under the
current practice, the Ministry requests applicants to submit unsigned copies
with no photo, no revenue stamps or drafts of application forms for approval
and accompanying documents that they plan to file.
Important points in preparing documents
The points of attention in preparing accompanying documents for approval
also apply to the Preliminary Examination process, since their copies or
drafts are to be submitted for Preliminary Examination.13Application form for Preliminary Examination
There is no prescribed format for an application form for Preliminary
Examination. The Ministry requests applicants to submit unsigned copies or
drafts of application forms for approval without a photo and revenue stamps.
The format for an application form for approval is prescribed by the relevant
laws and regulations.
Please do not affix revenue stamps to a copy (or draft) of application form
for approval that you submit for Preliminary Examination. The
Preliminary Examination process is free of charge.
Accompanying documents
Under the current practice, the Ministry requests applicants to submit
unsigned copies or drafts of accompanying documents for approval in
applying for Preliminary Examination.
The accompanying documents required for approval are prescribed by the
relevant laws and regulations.
Refer to the "Part 4: Commentary on attached documents to be prepared" for
more information.
Among the accompanying documents for approval, the following are not
required for Preliminary Examination.
(3) Examination
If the documents submitted for Preliminary Examination turn out to be
unsatisfactory, the Ministry may request you to amend the documents or
submit additional materials within a certain period prescribed by the
Ministry. If you fail to comply with the request within the prescribed
period without any justifiable reason, the Ministry may terminate the
Preliminary Examination at that point on the ground that the process
cannot go any further and notify you of the results based on the already
submitted documents.
If, after the filing, there is any change in the particulars of your
application such as the contents of application documents submitted for
Preliminary Examination, you need to notify the Ministry of the change
immediately.
The results of Preliminary Examination are notified to you verbally or by
e-mail.
Sworn Statement in which the applicant swears that they do not fall under
any of the items of Article 7 of the Attorneys Act.
Sworn Statement in which the applicant swears that they do not fall under
any of the provisions of Article12, paragraph (1), item (ii), (a) through (d) of
the GJB Act.
Sworn Statement in which the applicant swears that they faithfully perform
their professional duties.143. Application for approval
(1) How to file an application
Filing by the applicant in person
An application for approval needs to be filed by the applicant in person at the
Ministry. Please visit the GJB Section in the Ministry's office for filing.
For the Ministry to ascertain that the applicant has actually appeared in
person, you need to bring your passport or any other identification document
when you visit the Ministry for filing.
Furthermore, at the time of filing, you only need to temporarily visit Japan
for the filing in person. You need not be consecutively in Japan for the whole
period during which your application is processed (including the period for
Preliminary Examination).
Please consult with the Ministry in advance to book the date and time of the
filing in order to facilitate a smooth flow of procedures.
If your application documents turn out to be unsatisfactory after the filing,
the Ministry may request you to amend the documents or submit additional
materials. You may appoint an agent to handle this on your behalf by
providing the Ministry with a power of attorney stating the particulars of
your agent, including the job title and contact information of the agent and
the organization to which the agent belongs. When a copy has been
submitted at the preliminary examination, the original is required to be
submitted.
For the sample power of attorney, refer to "Reference Form 9" provided at the
end of Reference Material 2.
Attendance of interpreter
The filing of application for approval is conducted in Japanese. If you need
an interpreter, please arrange for an interpreter to come with you.
Filing of application documents
At the time of filing, you need to submit an application form for approval and
accompanying documents. The accompanying documents, except Sworn
Statements, may be sent by E-mail attaching their PDF data beforehand.
Filing fee
You need to pay the filing fee of 27,500円 by revenue stamps. Please bring
them as they are. You are supposed to put them on the application form after
the Ministry’s staff finished checking out your documents.
Issuance of receipt
Upon receiving your application, the Ministry issues an approval application
receipt.
In any progress inquiry to the Ministry that you may wish to make after the
filing, please state a reference number on the approval application receipt to15facilitate the smooth handling of your inquiry.
(2) Documents to be submitted
Application documents for approval and Preliminary Examination
●くろまるApplication form for approval (For Preliminary Examination: a copy or draft of an
application form for approval)
●くろまるAccompanying Documents (copy is acceptable except the Sworn Statements)
Personal Statement
Curriculum vitae
The copy of passport or any other appropriate identification document
Document certifying that the applicant currently holds a qualification to become a
foreign lawyer
Document proving the applicant’s experience in performing professional duties as
a foreign lawyer
Document proving the applicant’s plan for a proper and reliable performance of
their professional duties
Employment by GJB etc.
(1) Document showing the employment conditions such as the period of employment and the
salary, etc.
(2) Document showing outlines of the employer's office (e.g. the composition of office
personnel, the scope of business)
(3) Document certifying the employer's financial ability to pay the salary
(4) Document certifying that the employer has secured an office space
(5) Document certifying that the employer supports and supervises an appropriate and secure
performance of professional duties by the applicant
Sole practice
(1) Document certifying that the applicant has secured an office space
(2) Document providing a specific explanation on the applicant's business plan
Joint management or Foreign law joint enterprise
(1) Document showing terms and conditions of the joint business including the provisions on
distribution of profits and losses etc.,
(2) Document certifying that an office space is secured for the applicant
Other forms of practice
- Documents that may be deemed appropriate depending on the forms of practice
Document certifying that the applicant has secured an accommodation
Document certifying that the applicant has a sufficient financial basis
Document certifying the applicant's ability to compensate for any losses that they may
cause to clients
Documents to
be signed at the
time of filing
(Not required
for PE)
Sworn Statement in which the applicant swears that they do not fall
under any of the disqualification causes listed in Article 7 of the
Attorneys Act
Sworn Statement in which the applicant swears that they do not fall
under any of the disqualification causes listed in Article 12,
paragraph(1), item (ii), sub-items (a) to (d) of the GJB Act
Sworn Statement in which the applicant swears that they faithfully
performs their professional duties16Important points in preparing your documents
Past examples show that the following accompanying documents tend to be
found unsatisfactory in so many cases.
In such cases, the Ministry requests the applicants to take steps such as
amendments to the accompanying documents and/or the submission of
additional materials. This means that the Ministry needs a longer time
before notifying the examination results to the applicants.
In order to facilitate a prompt approval of your application, we advise you to
pay close attention to the accuracy and completeness in preparing or
obtaining the above accompanying documents by referring to this Manual
and any other relevant materials.
Application form for approval
An application form for approval needs to be prepared in the prescribed
format.
Refer to the chart titled "How to obtain the forms of documents for approval" in
1.(3), Section 3, Part 2 for more information.
You may complete the application form for approval either in Japanese or in
English. Please make sure you bring a photo and revenue stamps to the
amount of 27,500円 when you file an application in person at the Ministry.
Accompanying documents
The accompanying documents you need to submit for approval are prescribed
by the relevant laws and regulations. Please refer to the chart on page 15 for
the list of required documents.
If any of your accompanying documents is in a foreign language, you need to
attach a Japanese translation.
Personal Statement
Document certifying that the applicant has acquired a qualification as a
foreign lawyer and that the qualification is good at present
Document certifying the applicant’s work experiences as a foreign lawyer.
Document certifying the applicant's ability to compensate for any losses that
they may cause to clients17Personal Statement
Although there is no prescribed form for the Statement, a recommended form
is available from the Ministry.
A form of Statement may be completed in Japanese or in English. Even if you
make entries in English in the prescribed slots of Statement, you need not to
prepare a Japanese translation of such entries.
However, if you attach a separate sheet in another foreign language to the
Statement, you need to submit a Japanese translation of the attached sheet.
Accompanying documents other than the Personal Statement
For the following accompanying documents, you need to file the originals.
In principle, any of accompanying documents other than the Sworn
Statements may be submitted by E-mail attaching their PDF data instead of
the original. However, the Ministry may request you to submit the original
ones.
4. Examination of application for approval
Once you file an application for approval, the Ministry examines whether you
satisfy the requirements for approval based on the application form and
accompanying documents that you have submitted.
If these documents turn out to be unsatisfactory after the filing, the Ministry
may request you to amend the documents or submit additional materials
within a certain period prescribed by the Ministry.
If you fail to comply with the request within the prescribed period without
any justifiable reason, the Ministry examines your application based on the
already submitted documents. Please note that the Ministry may not
approve your application in such a case.
If, after the filing, there is any change in the particulars of your application
such as the contents of application documents, you need to notify the
Ministry of the change immediately. If necessary, the Ministry may request
you to submit additional documents including a statement of reason for the
change and a material certifying the change.
Sworn Statement in which the applicant swears that they do not fall under
any of the items of Article 7 of the Attorneys Act.
Sworn Statement in which the applicant swears that they do not fall under
any of the provisions of Article12, paragraph (1), item (ii), (a) through (d) of
the GJB Act.
Sworn Statement in which the applicant swears that they faithfully perform
their professional duties.185. Notification of examination results
The Ministry notifies the examination results to applicants as follows.
(1) Decision to approve
If, upon examination, the Ministry decides to approve your qualification to
become a GJB, the Ministry issues you an approval notice and publishes the
approval in the official gazette.
Once you receive an approval of your qualification to become a GJB, you
need to apply for registration on the roll of GJB maintained by the JFBA. To
be registered on the roll of GJB, you need to file a registration request with
the JFBA through a local bar association to which you wish to join.
As the Ministry’s approval takes effect on the day of publication in the
official gazette, you may file a registration request from that day onward.
Please keep the approval notice safely since you will need it in making a
registration request to the JFBA.
Please ensure that you file a registration request within 6 months from the
following day of the publication of approval in the official gazette, since the
Ministry’s approval loses effect when six months elapse from that day.
(2) Decision not to approve
If, upon examination, the Ministry decides not to approve your qualification
to become a GJB, the Ministry notifies you of the decision not to approve and
its reasons in writing.
6. Counseling services
The Ministry provides general counseling on procedures for approval as well
as individual consultation for prospective applicants.
In an individual consultation, based on an explanation from a prospective
applicant, the Ministry answers questions including what are the required
documents and how to complete the documents.
If you systematically organize the facts relating to approval criteria in
advance of an individual consultation, the Ministry is able to answer your
questions appropriately.
In this context, the Ministry recommends that you draft a Personal
Statement beforehand and ask questions with the draft Statement as well as
other materials in hand.
The information for contacting the Ministry is on the boxed article at the
bottom of the chart, "Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi / Flow of Approval
Procedures."19Section 1
Outline
To obtain a designation of the Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction, a
person whose qualification to become a GJB has been approved needs to
apply for designation and go through an examination to ascertain whether
they satisfy the requirements for designation.
Section 2
Requirements for designating Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction
To obtain a designation of the Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction, you
need to satisfy following requirements.
The Ministry examines accompanying documents submitted by the applicant
to ascertain whether they satisfy the requirements.
Part 3 Designation procedures for Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction
1. The applicant has a qualification to become a lawyer in a Specified
Foreign Jurisdiction or
2. The applicant has the same level of knowledge of the Laws of a
Specified Foreign Jurisdiction as a lawyer in that Jurisdiction and has
five or more years of work experience in handling legal services
concerning such laws.
Section 1 Outline (Page 19 )
Section 2 Requirements for designating Laws of a Specified
Foreign Jurisdiction (Page 19 )
Section 3 Procedures for designating Laws of a Specified Foreign
Jurisdiction (Page 20)
1. Things to know before application (Page 20 )
2. Preliminary Examination (Page 22 )
3. Application for designation (Page 23 )
4. Examination of application for designation (Page 26 )
5. Notification of examination results (Page 26 )
6. Counseling services (Page 27 )20Section 3
Procedures for designating Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction
1. Things to know before application
(1) Simultaneous application for approval and designation
To obtain a designation of the Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction, you
need to apply for designation.
You may apply for designation at the same time as an application for
approval.
It is also possible for you to apply for designation after your qualification to
become a GJB being approved of.
(2) Application for designation and Preliminary Examination
To apply for designation, you need to submit an application form for
designation and accompanying documents.
As is the case with an application for approval, if any of the accompanying
documents for designation turn out to be unsatisfactory after the filing, the
Ministry may not approve your application or may request you to amend the
application documents or submit additional materials. The Ministry provides
Preliminary Examination services prior to the filing of application for
designation, if a prospective applicant so wishes.
Under the current practice, you may apply for Preliminary Examination for
both approval and designation at the same time.
(3) Standard processing time
The Ministry prescribes the standard processing time depending on the
procedures as follows.
Preliminary Examination at most two weeks from the date of issuance of a PE
Application Receipt
Examination of application
for designation
at most two months from the date of issuance of
approval application receipt
However, the contents of examination vary depending on the cases, since the
procedures for designation are to specifically examine as to whether each
applicant satisfies requirements for designation. Therefore, each of the
standard processing time mentioned above represents only a rough estimate.
In recent examples, for applicants who have filed applications in an
appropriate manner following this Manual, the procedures have been
completed mostly within the above standard processing time.21If you apply for designation at the same time as an application for approval,
the Ministry notifies you of the examination results of both applications at
the same time (The same also applies to the Preliminary Examination
process).
(4) Document formats used for the application process
The format for an application form for designation is prescribed by the
Regulations.
The Ministry provides a form in the prescribed format. You may also create
an application form using software such as Microsoft Office Word as long as
it is in the prescribed format.
Forms of application documents are available as shown in the chart below.
How to obtain the forms of documents for designation
1. Downloading from the Ministry’s website
http://www.moj.go.jp/housei/gaiben/housei07_00028.html
https://www.moj.go.jp/EN/housei/gaiben/housei07_00003.html
●くろまるThe following form is available from the URL above.
Application form for designation (Japanese and English)
2. Obtaining the form at the Ministry’s office
(5) Attaching the translated version of documents
If any of your accompanying documents is in a foreign language, you need to
attach a Japanese translation.
Refer to 1.(4), in Section 3, Part2 for how to prepare a Japanese translation.22(6) Provision of information on progress
The Ministry provides certain information including the progress of
application and the estimated time when the results are likely to be notified,
if the applicant so wishes.
Examples of available information on progress
The Ministry provides the following information for example.
◆だいやまーくWhen the PE Application Receipt is issued...
- Estimated time when a Preliminary Examination is likely to be completed
◆だいやまーくWhen an application for designation is filed...
- Time of request for the JFBA's opinion
- Scheduled date of monthly meeting of the Foreign Lawyers Committee in the JFBA
◆だいやまーくWhen the Ministry receives an opinion from the JFBA...
- Outline of the JFBA's opinion
- Estimated time when the examination results are notified
- Scheduled date when the Minister’s designation is published in the official gazette
2 Preliminary Examination
The Ministry provides Preliminary Examination services prior to the filing of
an application for designation, if a prospective applicant so wishes.
(1) How to apply for Preliminary Examination
You may apply for Preliminary Examination for designation in the same
manner as Preliminary Examination for approval.
(2) Documents to be submitted
The Regulations provides that documents equivalent to an application form
for designation and its accompanying documents need to be submitted in
applying for Preliminary Examination.
The Ministry requests applicants to submit unsigned copies with no photo,
no revenue stamps or drafts of application forms for designation and
accompanying documents that they plan to file.
Application form for Preliminary Examination
There is no prescribed format for an application form for Preliminary
Examination. The Ministry requests applicants to submit unsigned copies or
drafts of application forms for designation.
The format for an application form for designation is prescribed by the
relevant laws and regulations.23Please do not affix revenue stamps to a copy (or draft) of application form for
designation that you submit for Preliminary Examination. The Preliminary
Examination process is free of charge.
Accompanying documents
The Ministry requests applicants to submit unsigned copies or drafts of
accompanying documents for designation in applying for Preliminary
Examination.
The accompanying documents required for designation are prescribed by the
relevant laws and regulations.
(3) Examination
If the documents filed for Preliminary Examination turn out to be
unsatisfactory, the Ministry may request you to amend the documents or
submit additional materials within a certain period prescribed by the
Ministry. If you fail to comply with the request within the prescribed period
without any justifiable reason, the Ministry may terminate the Preliminary
Examination process at that point on the ground that the process cannot go
any further and notify you of the result based on the already submitted
documents.
If, after the filing, there is any change in the particulars of your application
such as the contents of application documents submitted for Preliminary
Examination, you need to notify the Ministry of the change immediately.
The results of Preliminary Examination are notified to you verbally or by
E-mail.
3. Application for designation
(1) How to file an application
Submission of an application form and accompanying documents
To apply for designation, you need to submit an application form for
designation and accompanying documents. Unlike an application for
approval, an application for designation does not need to be filed by the
applicant in person at the Ministry. The application for designation can be
submitted at Ministry in person or by attorney. The application by mail is
also accepted respectively.
Filing fee
When filing an application for designation, you need to pay the filing fee of
13,400円 by revenue stamps.
For the United States, Australia, and Canada, each of their constituent units
is treated as a "foreign jurisdiction". For example, if you wish to have the24laws of both the New York State and the State of California designated as
Laws of Specified Foreign Jurisdiction that you may practice, you need to
apply for and obtain a separate designation on the laws of each jurisdiction.
In this case, you may apply for the designations at the same time or
separately. If you apply for designations on the laws of more than one
Specified Foreign Jurisdiction at the same time, your applications are
deemed to constitute a single application. Accordingly, you are charged only
13,400円.
If you file an application by mail, please affix the revenue stamps to the
amount of 13,400円 in the prescribed space on the application form for
designation. If you file in person, please bring the revenue stamps as they
are. You are supposed to affix them to the application form after the
Ministry’s staff finished checking out all the documents.
Issuance of receipt
Upon receiving your application, the Ministry issues a designation
application receipt.
In any progress inquiry to the Ministry that you may wish to make after the
filing, please state a reference number on the designation application receipt
to facilitate the smooth handling of your inquiry.
(2) Documents to be submitted
Application form for designation
An application form for designation needs to be prepared in the prescribed
format.
You may complete an application form for designation either in Japanese or
in English.
If you apply for designation at the same time of application for approval,
please submit the application form when you visit the Ministry for filing the
application of approval in person.
If you apply for designation after you obtained approval, the application for
designation can be submitted at Ministry in person or by attorney. The
application by mail is also accepted respectively.
If you file an application in person, please bring a photo and revenue stamps
to the amount of 13,400円 as they are. If you file by mail, please make sure
that they are affixed in the prescribed space on the application form for
designation.
Accompanying documents
The accompanying documents you need to submit for designation are
prescribed by the relevant laws and regulations. Please refer to the chart25below for the list of required documents.
If any of your accompanying documents is in a foreign language, you need to
attach a Japanese translation.
Submitting accompanying documents by E-mail attaching their PDF data,
instead of submitting the originals, is acceptable. However, there is the
possibility that the Minister may request you to submit the original
documents.
Application documents for designation and Preliminary Examination
Application form for designation (For Preliminary Examination: a copy or draft
of an application form for designation)
Accompanying documents
Document certifying that the applicant is qualified as a lawyer in a Specified
Foreign Jurisdiction
If you are currently registered as a lawyer in a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction
A document certifying the date of registration and the fact that the registration has
been retained to date that is issued by an organization authorized to certify such
facts.
If you were registered as a lawyer in a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction in the past
A document certifying the date of registration and the period while the registration
was maintained that is issued by an organization authorized to certify such facts.
A document certifying that the applicant currently retains a qualification to become
a lawyer in that Specified Foreign Jurisdiction
As types of required documents vary depending on the jurisdiction of acquisition
of qualification, please consult with the Ministry by explaining your
circumstances.
Document certifying that the applicant has the same level of knowledge of the
Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction as a lawyer in that jurisdiction and has
work experience for five or more years in handling legal services concerning such
laws.
Knowledge of law
• Outline of qualifying procedures for lawyers in a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction
• A written statement explaining the fact that the applicant has the same level of
knowledge as a qualified lawyer in that Specified Foreign Jurisdiction
Five or more years of work experience
• Document certifying the fact that the applicant has work experience in handling
legal services relating to the Laws of that Specified Foreign Jurisdiction and the
period of such work experience, as a proof of the applicant's work experience in
handling legal services relating to such laws
Please consult with the Ministry by explaining your circumstances.264. Examination of application for designation
Once you file an application for designation, the Ministry examines whether
you satisfy requirements for designation based on the application form and
accompanying documents that you have submitted.
If these documents turn out to be unsatisfactory after the filing, the Ministry
may request you to amend the documents or submit additional materials
within a certain period prescribed by the Ministry.
If you fail to comply with the request within the prescribed period without
any justifiable reason, the Ministry examines your application based on the
already submitted documents. Please note that you may not be granted a
designation in such a case.
If, after the filing, there is any change in the particulars of your application
for designation such as the contents of application documents, you need to
notify the Ministry of the change immediately. If necessary, the Ministry may
request you to submit additional documents including a statement of reason
for the change and a material certifying the change.
5. Notification of examination results
The Ministry notifies the examination results to applicants as follows.
(1) Decision to designate
If, upon examination, the Ministry decides to grant a designation of the Laws
of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction that you have applied for, the Ministry
issues you a designation notice and publish the designation in the official
gazette.
Upon receiving the designation, you need to have a supplementary
registration of the Designated Laws added on the roll of GJB maintained by
the JFBA in order to engage in the legal services relating to the Designated
Laws.
For this, you need to file a request for addition of supplementary registration
of the Designated Laws with the JFBA through your local bar association.
As the Ministry’s designation takes effect on the day of publication in the
official gazette, you may file the above request from that day onward.
Please keep the designation notice. You need it in making the above request
to the JFBA.
Please ensure that you file the above request within 6 months from the
following day of the publication of designation in the official gazette, since
the Ministry’s designation loses effect when six months elapse from that day.27(2) Decision not to designate
If, upon examination, the Ministry decides not to grant a designation on the
Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction that you have applied for, the
Ministry notifies you of the decision not to designate and its reasons in
writing.
6. Counseling services
The Ministry provides general counseling on procedures for designation as
well as individual consultation for prospective applicants.
In an individual consultation, based on an explanation from a prospective
applicant, the Ministry answers questions including what are the required
documents and how to complete the documents.
If you systematically organize the facts relating to designation criteria in
advance of an individual consultation, the Ministry is able to answer your
questions appropriately.
In this context, the Ministry recommends that you make an inquiry with
materials relating to your application in hand.
The information for contacting the Ministry is on the boxed article at the
bottom of the chart, "Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi / Flow of Approval
Procedures."
- 28 -
Section 1
Application for approval
1.Application form for approval
You need to fill in the appropriate columns correctly based on your accompanying
documents so that you will not make any incorrect descriptions, such as the title of
foreign lawyer and the name of the jurisdiction of your primary qualification.
Although you need to affix prescribed photos and revenue stamps to the application
form, applicants are supposed to affix them after the Ministry of Justice staff
finished checking out the applicants’descriptions on the application form.
If there are some descriptions to correct on the application form, when filing you may
correct them (in this case, you need to append your signature in the description you
have corrected). You need not newly prepare a form.
If you use English in the prescribed columns, you do not have to attach a translated
version in Japanese.
In the case of a Preliminary Examination, you need to fill out an application form for
approval like the application for approval and please be sure not to affix your photo.
Part 4 Commentary on accompanying documents to be prepared
Section 1 Application for approval
1.Application form for approval (Page 28)
2.Accompanying documents for application form for approval (Page 29)
3. Management of accompanying documents recognized as common
materials (Page 41)
Section 2 Application for designation
1.Application form for designation (Page 42)
2.Accompanying documents for application form for designation
(Page 42)
Section 3 Preliminary Examination
1. Document corresponding to application form for approval/designation
(Page 44)
2. Document corresponding to accompanying documents (Page 44)
Section 4 Provision of reference forms (Page 44)
Section 5 Reference cases of application for approval (Reference examples of
application documents) (Page 45)
Section 6 Examples of application form and personal statement (Page 53)
- 29 -
As a Preliminary Examination is available for free, you need not to affix revenue
stamps.
(Refer to description example of application form for approval at the end of Reference
material 1.)
2.Accompanying documents for application form for approval
You need carefully to read the following descriptions and attach the appropriate
documents based on your personal situation.
Statement in the format provided by the Minister (copy is acceptable)
When preparing your Statement, fill out the form after understanding (a) to (f), Item
1, Article 6 of the Regulations as well as the descriptions of this Manual. As for how
to fill out the form, please refer to the inserted comments in the Statement sample
made with Microsoft Office Excel on the Ministry’s website.
If you wish to inquire the Ministry of how to describe an individual situation, you are
supposed to organize the facts on the statement systematically beforehand.
We also would like you to pay attention to the following points.
1)You need to fill out Statement form either in Japanese or in English.
If you use English in the prescribed columns, you do not have to attach a translated
version in Japanese.
However, if other accompanying documents are described in another foreign
language, you need to submit a translated version in Japanese.
2) You need to fill in your Statement correctly in accordance with your accompanying
documents, such as certificates. Please check out your descriptions thoroughly again
before submitting in order that the procedures might be completed smoothly.
Curriculum vitae (copy is acceptable)
There is no prescribed curriculum vitae form. Please submit your curriculum vitae in
an appropriate format. It must contains the whole of job history from the date of
qualification acquisition up to the application.
The form provided on the JFBA website (the form of curriculum vitae to be
submitted to JFBAat the time of registration) can also be used.
Copy of passport, residence card, special permanent resident certificate, or otherIDWhen filing an application, you should bring your passport (residence card or special
permanent resident certificate is also acceptable) with you. We will make a
photocopy of necessary portions.
In the case of Preliminary Examination, you should submit a copy of the bio-data
page (if there are any official observations, a copy of the observations pages is also
needed) of your passport.
- 30 -
Documents that certifies that the applicant was qualified as a foreign lawyer
and has still such a qualification (copy is acceptable)
You need to submit effective certificates issued by the bar association or any other
public organization in which the following items are described clearly: the
registration date as a foreign lawyer, period of registration, and conditions for
provision of service, etc.
The type of certificate or official certifying organization that certifies these items
would vary depending on the jurisdiction of your qualification.
For your reference, we list major precedents filed in the past on the next page. Please
use it for your convenience.
Please note if there are several names of documents in the column "Certificates" of
the same jurisdiction, you need to submit all of them.
- 31 -
( Reference examples )
Jurisdiction (state/province) Certificate(s)
The United States
of America
Stateof New York Certificateof qualification issued bythe Supreme Court
Stateof California Certificateof qualification issued bythe StateBar
The District of
Columbia
Certificateof qualification issued bythe Court of Appeals
The United Kingdom (England and
Wales)
Certificate of Good Standing and Extract from the Roll of
Solicitorsissuedbythe S.R.A.
People's Republic of China
Copy of a lawyer qualification certificate as 律師資格証書Copyofa lawyerpracticingcertificateas 律師執業証
Certificateissuedbythejusticedepartment
Certificateissuedbythelawyers association
Australia
New South Wales
Qualification certificateissuedbythe Supreme Court
Certificate of Fitness and Practising Certificate issued by
the LawSociety
Queensland
Qualification certificateissuedbythe Supreme Court
Certificate of Fitness and Practising Certificate issued by
the LawSociety
Victoria
Qualification certificateissuedbythe Supreme Court
Registration statuscertificateissuedbythe LawInstitute
Australian Practising certificate issued by the Legal
Services Board
Western Australia
Qualification certificateissuedbythe Supreme Court
Registration status certificate and Practising Certificate
issuedbythe Legal Practice Board
Australian Capital
Territory
Qualification certificateissuedbythe Supreme Court
Certificate of Good Standing and Practising Certificate
issuedbythe LawSociety
(Note) It is desirable to submit these certificates issued within 3 months earlier than the
date of the Ministry’s receiving of your application for Preliminary Examination or for
approval. However, this rule will not apply if your certificate has a certain expiry date or if
there has been made any change of description.
It is necessary to first examine whether or not the "qualification as a foreign lawyer"
is equivalent to a Japanese lawyer status. However, because the qualifications in the
jurisdictions shown in the "Precedent list of foreign lawyer qualifications" section
below have been treated in the same manner as a Japanese lawyer’s status, it is not
necessary to examine these foreign lawyer programs in general. In this case, the
Ministry will not generally examine if these qualifications would be equivalent to a
Japanese lawyer’s status either.
- 32 -
If you have questions on the types of your certificate in relation to the precedent of
foreign lawyer qualifications, you should clearly explain your personal situation
because your personal situation might be different from the precedents in some
cases.
Precedent list of foreign lawyer qualifications
List of qualifications treated as foreign lawyer provided in Article 2, item (iii)
of the GJB Act
Jurisdiction of primary qualification Name of qualification
Republic of Austria Rechtsanwalt
Kingdom of Belgium Advocaat
Federative Republic of Brazil Advogada
People's Republic of China 律師
Republic of France Avocat
Federal Republic of Germany Rechtsanwalt
Hong Kong
Special AdministrativeRegion
Solicitor of the HighCourt
Republic of India Advocate
Ireland Solicitor
Republic of Italy Avvocato
Republic of Korea
Byonhosa(변호사)
Kingdom of the Netherlands Advocaat
Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Advocate
New Zealand Barrister andSolicitor
Republic of Paraguay Abogado
Republic of thePhilippines Attorney
Russian Federation Advokat
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Muhamy
Republic of Singapore Advocate andSolicitor
Kingdom of Spain Abogado
DemocraticSocialist Republic ofSri Lanka Attorney-at-Law
Swiss Confederation Avocat
Advokat/Rechtsanwalt
Taiwan 律師
The United Kingdom Solicitor of theSeniorCourt
- 33 -
List of qualifications treated as foreign lawyer provided in Article 2, item (iii)
of the GJB Act (Federal states)
Jurisdiction of primary qualification
(state/province)
Name of qualification
(Australia)
AustralianCapitalTerritory Legal Practitioner of the SupremeCourt
New SouthWales Solicitor
Queensland Solicitor of theSupremeCourt
Victoria Australian Lawyer
WesternAustralia Legal Practitioner
(Canada)
British Columbia Barrister andSolicitor
Ontario Barrister andSolicitor
(The United States ofAmerica)
California Attorneyat Law
Colorado Attorneyand Counselor at Law
District of Columbia Attorneyand Counselor
Connecticut Attorney
Florida Attorney
Georgia Attorney
Hawaii Attorneyat Law
Illinois Attorneyand Counselor ofLaw
Louisiana Attorneyat Law
Maryland Attorney
Massachusetts Attorney
Michigan Attorney
Minnesota Lawyer and Counselor at Law
Missouri Attorneyand Counselor at Law
Nevada Attorneyand Counselor at law
New Jersey Attorneyat Law
NewYork Attorneyand counselor/Counsellor at law
North Carolina Attorneyand Counselor at Law
Ohio Attorney
Oregon Attorney
Pennsylvania Attorney
Tennessee Attorney
Texas Attorneyand counselor at law
Utah Attorney
Virginia Attorneyand Counselor at Law
Washington Attorneyand Counselor at Law
- 34 -
If you qualify as a foreign lawyer in a foreign jurisdiction other than the
aforementioned jurisdiction, the Ministry will carefully examine whether or not your
qualification as a foreign lawyer is equivalent to a Japanese lawyer’s status. For this
reason, the Ministry may ask you to submit detailed explanatory documents on your
personal situation as well as your lawyer qualification in your judicial system. In this
case, you need to make sufficient preparations before seeking us for advice.
Document certifying your work experiences as a foreign lawyer (copy is
acceptable)
You need to prove that you have lawfully engaged in legal affairs as a foreign lawyer
of the jurisdiction of acquisition of the qualification in the jurisdiction of acquisition of
the qualification or in other foreign jurisdictions.
Please submit documents as certificate written by a person in a position that can
specifically prove how long you have served as a foreign lawyer and what you have
engaged in, and in which they explain that you have fulfilled your tasks for more
than 3 years since you qualified as a foreign lawyer.
When explaining your work experiences, it is desirable to explain the entire job
history. However, for application purposes, you may submit documents that only
covers a 3-year period in total to make it simpler to certify.
Please note, this document should have the following descriptions for example.
Organization name of the certifier as well as the fact that the certifier is in an
appropriate position.
(Example)
"XXX, a managing partner ofYYY law office located in ZZZ..."
Specific explanations on your work experiences (work period, location, job title,
qualification, and job contents) should be described as follows.
(Example)
"...engaged in legal services, such as legal advice for clients and lawsuit duties, in the
field of XXX in accordance with the law of YYY as an associate lawyer at ZZZ office
located inAAfrom MM DD, YYYY to MM DD, YYYY."
Refer to "Reference Form 1-1" provided at the end of Reference Material 2.
(Reference examples)
1) If your law firm, private enterprise or public organization, such as state
government, gives proof...
This is the case if the representative, personnel manager or any other authorized
staff to certify of an organization the applicant belonged to, gives proof by providing
certificates of employment, personnel record, etc.
If it is difficult that your organization’s representative submits such documents
because of liquidation or M&A, you need to ask some other persons capable of
objectively and specifically certifying your work experiences to write a letter.
If you have legally engaged in legal affairs in a foreign jurisdiction (a third
- 35 -
jurisdiction) other than the jurisdiction of acquisition of the qualification, you may
add it to your work experience period calculation. In this case, in addition to
materials certifying that you were employed, you need to certify that you have
lawfully engaged in services concerning the law of your qualification in a third
jurisdiction. For example, you may submit a foreign lawyer registration certificate
issued by the bar association of a third jurisdiction.
In addition, if you intend to explain that the third jurisdiction does not have a foreign
lawyer registration program but you have lawfully engaged in your duties there, you
need to submit a document (written statement) prepared by an authorized certifying
bar association or the employer of your office in the third jurisdiction attaching
explanatory materials on legislations or systems that would serve as the basis for
you to lawfully engage in duties there.
To smoothly examine or analyze the explanatory materials you submit, the Ministry
would be grateful if you could also attach a "Description of Evidence" (reference
format) describing the outline of the materials.
No. Prepared on Prepared by Document title
The portion that
gives proof
Explanatory materials
attached
Governing law Outline of evidence1MMM DD,YYYYXXXXX,
Representative
of YYYY Foreign
Law Firm
Written statement
(about activities
in the jurisdictionXXX)The applicant was
allowed to engage
in legal affairs
without lawyer
registration and
practicing permit in
the jurisdiction XXX
Provisions of the
Attorney Act in the
jurisdiction XXXX,
which are downloaded
from the law society
in the jurisdictionXXXXArticle XX of
the Attorney
Act in the
jurisdiction YYY
The fact that the applicant
was able to lawfully engage
in legal affairs without a
lawyer registration and
practicing permit in the
jurisdiction XXX23
(Reference format) Description of Evidence
2) If a lawyer, a legal professional corporation, a GJB, a registered foreign lawyer
corporation or a Joint Corporation gives proof...
If you are employed in Japan by a lawyer, a legal professional corporation, a GJB, a
registered foreign lawyer corporation or a Joint Corporation and provide them with
your labor services based on your knowledge on the law of your qualification, you
may include such work experiences summing up to 2 years at maximum in your
work experience period calculation. In this case, you need to attach a document of
your employer (a lawyer, a legal professional corporation, a GJB, a registered foreign
lawyer corporation, or a Joint Corporation) certifying that you provided them with
services as an employee.
This document should describe the name of the organization, which prepared the
document, the fact that such organization is authorized to give proof, the
relationship with the applicant, how long the applicant provided services as an
employee, and the type of work the applicant engaged in.
(Example)
"The applicant provided advice to the employer attorney XXXX based on the
applicant’s knowledge on the law of the jurisdictionYYYY..."
- 36 -
Refer to "Reference Form 1-2" provided at the end of Reference Material 2.
If an applicant has been employed by an Attorney at Law, a legal professional
corporation, a GJB, a registered foreign lawyer corporation, or a Joint Corporation in
Japan and has provided services to such an entity for a period based on their
knowledge of the laws in the jurisdiction of acquisition of the qualification , the
applicant is required to submit a statement providing that the applicant only
provided services to the applicant’s employer and the applicant did not provide legal
services to clients, whether or not such period is included in the work experience
period.
Refer to "Reference Form 2" provided at the end of Reference Material 2.
3) If a bar association gives proof...
If you practice law independently and would like to prove that you have lawfully
fulfilled your duties, you may submit an objective document prepared and certified
by your bar association.
If your work experience certificate does not fall under the aforementioned 1) through
3), please ask us for advice.
If a person, who has been approved and registered as a GJB in the past, makes an
application for approval again, the submission of a statement which explains that
the application is made once again and a copy of the "Notice to cancel registration
from the GJB list" or a "Certificate" to certify the past registration issued by the
JFBA may be substituted for the submission of documents which certify their
experience of having performed professional duties.
Refer to "Reference Form 3" provided at the end of Reference Material 2.
Document certifying that you have a plan to perform your duties appropriately
and surely (copy may be acceptable)
To be approved as a GJB, you need to faithfully perform your duties and to have an
appropriate and assured work plan that would contribute to improving legal services
as the basis of transnational socioeconomic activities between legal systems in Japan
and those in the jurisdiction of acquisition of the qualification. Keeping in mind this
perspective, you need to submit a document describing your specific plan.
In addition, documents certifying your business environment to carry out your plan
would vary depending on how you engage in legal affairs. In this case, please refer to
the following examples. If you get employed (i.e., an employed person), your
employer should explain that they will, as an employer, support/supervise you so
that you would appropriately and surely fulfill your duties in order to keep feasibility
of the plan.
- 37 -
(Reference examples)
1) Employed person: If you are employed by an Attorney at Law, a legal professional
corporation, a GJB, a registered foreign lawyer corporation or a Joint Corporation ...
Document Possible example(s)
Documents that certifies the conditions
of employment, such as employment
period and salary
(Examples)
-Copyof appointmentletter
-Copyof employment contract
-Copyof employment certificate
Documents that outlines the employer’s
office (staff composition, work
contents, etc.)
(Examples)
- Written statement describing staff composition and work
content
(Note)Acopyofbrochure or website isalso acceptable.
Document that certifies the employer’s
abilitytopaysalaries
(Examples)
- Copyof the law office’s most recent audit reports
- Audit firm’s letter that evaluates the financial position
of the law office
Document that certifies that the
employer keeps their office
(Examples)
- Propertyregistration certificate
- Copyof lease agreement
Document that certifies the employer
supports/supervises the applicant so that
theywill appropriatelyand surely
perform the duty
(Example)
-Written statement prepared bythe employer
If a third party other than your employer is securing your office, attach a document
that shows the relationship between your employer and the person actually securing
the office.
2) Independently practicing: If practicing business independently...
Document Possible example(s)
Document that certifies that the
applicant keeps their office
(Examples)
- Propertyregistration certificate
- Copyof lease agreement
Document that specifically explains the
applicant’s business plan
(Example)
-Written statement onthe business plan
Refer to "Reference Form 4: Cases where you plan to have an independent
practice" provided at the end of Reference Material 2.
Refer to "Reference Form 5: Cases where you plan to have an independent
practice with support from a law firm in your home jurisdiction" provided at the
end of Reference Material 2.
If a third party other than you is securing your office, attach a document that shows
the relationship between the person actually securing the office and you.
- 38 -
3) Joint management: In the case of a joint management with a GJB...
Document Possible example(s)
Document that certifies the conditions
of the joint venture, such as distribution
percentage of revenues and
expenditures
(Example)
Letter that sets forth actual business operations and
cost-sharing signed by joint partners (law office
partners)
Document that certifies that the
applicant keeps their office
(Examples)
- Propertyregistration certificate
- Copyof lease agreement
- Document that shows the relationship between a joint
venture partner, the applicant, and the person actually
keeping your office
4) Foreign law joint enterprise: In the case of a joint management with an Attorney
at Law, a legal professional corporation or a Joint Corporation
Document Possible example(s)
Document that certifies the conditions
of the joint venture, such as distribution
percentage of revenues and
expenditures
(Example)
Letter that sets forth actual business operations and
cost-sharing signed by joint partners (law office
partners)
Document that certifies that the
applicant keeps their office
(Examples)
- Propertyregistration certificate
- Copyof lease agreement
- Document that shows the relationship between a joint
venture partner, the applicant, and the person actually
keeping your office
5) If practicing your business in any other manner...
Please ask us for advice on how to certify your tasks, depending on the specifics of
your business.
Document certifying that you have a residence to perform your duties
appropriately and surely, or a document certifying your plan to have a residence.
(copy is acceptable)
You need to submit objective materials certifying that you have a residence. Having
a residence is a prerequisite to get an approval. If you submit a written statement
that you would secure a residence before getting approved as a document certifying
your plan to have a residence, please make sure to submit the former document,
certifying that you have a residence before the Ministry gives an approval (posts an
announcement on the government gazette). The type of document to be submitted
would vary depending on how you will have a residence. Please refer to the following
examples in this case.
- 39 -
(Reference examples)
1) If you already have a residence...
If you live in a residence you have secured...
You live in your residence.
- Property registration certificate
You live in a leased residence.
- Copy of the lease agreement
If you live in a residence of a third party...
You live in a residence owned by a third party
- Property registration certificate
- The reason(s) why you may live in the residence of a third party
You live in a residence on which a third party enters into a lease agreement.
- Copy of the lease agreement
- The reason(s) why you may live in the residence of a third party
If a lease contract was renewed automatically and a contract for renewal has not
been made, a statement providing such fact is required to be submitted.
Refer to "Reference Form 6" provided at the end of Reference Material 1.
2) If you plan to have a residence after applying for an approval...
You need to prepare and submit a written statement describing that "you will have a
residence before being approved."
(Example)
"I will enter into a lease agreement (sales agreement) before being approved to have
a house in Japan, and I will submit a copy of the agreement."
If your law office guarantees that you will have a residence, the representative of the
law office should prepare a written statement.
(Example)
"I, as the representative lawyer of XXX law office, will enter into a lease agreement
before the Ministry’s approval in order to provide residence for the applicant’s
accommodation purpose, and submit a copy of the agreement."
Refer to "Reference Form 7" provided at the end of Reference Material 2.
Please ask us for advice on how to certify their residence because it depends on how
you have your residence.
Document certifying financial basis to appropriately and surely perform your
duties. (copy is acceptable)
Please refer to the following examples because it depends on your plan.
(Reference examples)
1) If you intend to certify your financial basis with your personal assets...
Certificate of bank deposit balance, etc.
- 40 -
2) If you intend to certify your financial basis with assets of a third party other than
you...
Guarantee certificate prepared by the applicant’s employer or any other third
party, stating that the third party would provide financial support for the
applicant’s stay in Japan, start-up of business, or operating fund
Most recent audit report certifying that the employer or any other third party
has warrantable financial capabilities or a letter from the audit firm, etc., that
evaluates its financial position
Document certifying that you are able to compensate your client for damages
(copy is acceptable)
1) If you plan to use insurance to compensate your clients for damages...
Attach a copy of a certificate describing your insurance policy.
(Examples)
Copy of a lawyer's liability insurance policy
Insurance certificate issued by your insurance firm
If you plan to take out an insurance policy after applying for an approval, you need to
submit a written statement, pledging that you will join an insurance policy and
submit its copy before the Ministry’s approval attaching a brochure that explains the
indemnity limit of the insurance policy you plan on joining.
Refer to "Reference Form 8" provided at the end of Reference Material 2.
If you fail to submit it before the Ministry’s approval, your application will not be
approved.
2) If your employer or overseas law firm will guarantee your liabilities for
damages...
If an employer or a foreign law firm will be responsible for all damages caused by its
employees while working for the employer or while belonging to the foreign law firm
and will compensate for damages with or without limitation, these two documents
are to be attached: a certificate (statement) of the employer or the foreign law firm
which guarantees its liability to compensate for such damages and a document
certifying its ability to compensate for such damages.
(Examples) Document certifying its ability to compensate for the damages
Most recent audit report of the employer or the foreign law firm
A letter from the audit firm, etc., that evaluates the financial position of the
employer or the foreign law firm
Document indicating coverage of the liability insurance as well as its insured
amount
If you plan to use insurance to compensate your client for damages, depending on
the value of deductibles, you may be required to submit additional documents
stating the financial capabilities to pay them.
- 41 -
※(注記) You do not have to prepare the 3 types of Sworn Statements as listed below in
advance. You will affix your signature on these documents after reading through
all of them when you file an application at the Ministry’s office. They are not
requested at Preliminary Examination
1) Sworn Statement in which the applicant swears that they do not fall under Article
7 of theAttorneysAct, which applies mutatis mutandis inArticle 10 of the GJBAct
2) Sworn Statement in which the applicant swears that they do not fall under Article
12, paragraph (1), item (ii), sub-items (a) to (d) of the GJBAct
3) Sworn Statement in which the applicant swears that they will faithfully perform
their duties
Other documents of some help
If there is any necessity for further verification from the viewpoint of the evidence
you have submitted, the Ministry might request you to submit appropriate
document materials for proving your statements.
(Please refer to the "Application documents for approval and Preliminary Examination"
section in Part 2.)
3. Management of accompanying documents recognized as common materials
If an employer prepares the same type of "employer-related" documents for their
employees that apply for procedures and these documents are regarded as common
documents for all applicants, then the employer may copy and reuse these
documents during the same financial year unless there comes about any change in
the particulars of them. Please note that it is not necessary to register the common
documents, so please manage the originals properly on your side. These materials
include:
[Document certifying that you have a plan to appropriately and surely perform your duties]
Document that outlines the business operations, such as work contents, of the employer’s
office
Copy of lease agreement for the employer’s office
Document that certifies that the employer supports/supervises the applicant so that they
can appropriately and surely perform the duty
[Document certifying financial basis]
Employer’s guarantee certificate that the applicant has financial basis
Most recent audit report certifying that the employer has warrantable financial
capabilities or a letter of audit firm etc. that evaluates its financial position
[Document certifying that you are able to compensate for damages]
Document materials on liability insurance’s applicability as well as its liability amount
Guarantee certificate (written statement) on the law firm’s liabilities for damages; and
- 42 -
most recent audit report certifying that the employer or the foreign law firm has enough
financial capabilities to guarantee liabilities for damages, or a letter of audit firm, etc.,
that evaluates its financial position
Section 2
Application for designation
1.Application form for designation
You need to fill in the prescribed columns correctly based on your accompanying
documents so that you will not make incorrect descriptions, such as title of foreign
lawyer and name of the Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification.
If you apply for designation at the same time of application for approval, you are
supposed to bring your photo and revenue stamps as they are. If you apply for
designation only by mail, please affix them in the prescribed space on the application
form for designation.
If you need to correct your descriptions on the application form, you may correct it
with your signature in the description you have corrected. The mailed application
form is to be returned, if any description needs correction.
If you use English in the prescribed columns, you do not have to attach translated
version in Japanese.
In the case of Preliminary Examination, you need to fill out an application form for
designation like an application for designation (the Ministry will handle it as a
"draft" of application form because it is not an application for designation in reality).
To clearly distinguish it from an application form for designation, please be sure not
to affix your photo.
As the Preliminary Examination is available for free, you do not have to affix
revenue stamps.
(Please refer to description example of designation application form at the end of this Part.)
2.Accompanying documents for application form for designation
You need to carefully read the following explanation and prepare the appropriate
documents according to your personal situations. Types of certificates of qualification
and your work experience are the same manner as the application for approval.
You need to submit copies of these documents at the time of Preliminary
Examination.
If you are not sure about how to certify your work experiences on Laws of a Specified
Foreign Jurisdiction, the Ministry is able to provide better advice if you explain your
personal conditions in an organized manner.
(1) If you apply for designation because you have the qualification to become a
foreign lawyer of the specified foreign jurisdiction...
You need to submit an effective certificate that is issued by the bar association or any
- 43 -
other public organization and clearly describes the registration date as a foreign
lawyer, how long you have been registered, and provision of activities, etc.(copy is
acceptable)
Type of certificate or an official certifying organization that certifies these items
would vary depending on the Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification.
For your reference, the aforementioned 2. of Section 1 describes the major precedents
frequently seen in the past. Please use it for your convenience.
If you qualify as a foreign lawyer in a foreign jurisdiction other than those mentioned
in 2. of Section 1, the Ministry will carefully examine whether or not your
qualification as a foreign lawyer is equivalent to a Japanese lawyer status. For this
reason, you need to submit detailed explanatory documents on your personal
situations as well as the legal system on your lawyer qualification in such a
jurisdiction. In this case, you need to make sufficient preparation before seeking us
for advice.
(2) If you apply for designation because you have "the same level of knowledge in
regard to the Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction as a person who has the
qualification to become a foreign lawyer of that jurisdiction and has five or more
years of practicing experience of legal services concerning such laws..."
1) You shall have the same level of knowledge in regard to Laws of a Specified
Foreign Jurisdiction as a person who has the qualification to become a foreign
lawyer of that jurisdiction
As a document certifying that you have the same level of knowledge in regard to the
laws of the specified foreign jurisdiction, you need to attach the following documents,
in principle (copies are acceptable).
Document that outlines how to obtain the qualification as a foreign lawyer in that
foreign jurisdiction (except for the case shown in the "Precedent list of foreign
lawyer qualifications" aforementioned 2. of Section 1.)
Written statement that specifically explains that you are knowledgeable as much
as those qualifying as a lawyer in that jurisdiction, and a document that
objectively certifies such a fact.
2) You should have 5 or more years of practicing experience of legal services
concerning such laws.
You need to prove that you have lawfully engaged in legal affairs in the Jurisdiction
of Primary Qualification or in other foreign jurisdictions.
Please submit a document written by a person capable of specifically proving how
long you have served and what you have engaged in, specifically describing that you
have fulfilled your tasks for 5 years or longer (copies are acceptable).
It may be desirable that the entire job history is fully explained. However, for
application purposes, we take 5-years’ records to be sufficient to examine your work
experience.
- 44 -
Section 3
Preliminary Examination
1. Document corresponding to application form for approval/designation
Correctly fill out a copy of the approval/designation application form. Photo and
revenue stamps are unnecessary.
2. Document corresponding to accompanying document
Refer to the related explanations in "Application for approval" of Section 1 and
"Application for designation" of Section 2 stated above.
Section4
Provision of reference forms
Among the accompanying documents to be submitted, reference forms for the
following documents are included in Reference material 2.
Reference Form 1-1: Documents certifying professional experience
Reference Form 1-2: Documents certifying professional experience (provision of
services in Japan)
Reference Form 2: Statement on provision of services in Japan
Reference Form 3: Statement on past registration (for persons making a
reapplication)
Reference Form 4: Business plan (cases where you plan to have an independent
practice)
Reference Form 5: Business plan (cases where you plan to have an independent
practice with support from a law firm in your home jurisdiction)
Reference Form 6: Statement on automatic renewal of lease contract
Reference Form 7: Statement on securing a residence
Reference Form 8: Statement on the purchase of insurance
Reference Form 9: Power of attorney
- 45 -
Section 5
Reference cases of application for approval (Reference examples of application
documents)
This section explains what kind of certificates you need to prepare to apply for
approval as a GJB, showing some imaginary applicant examples.
Since they are only typical examples, not necessarily all the documents are
introduced here.
You might have to submit other documents, depending on your personal
background.
Case #1
Personal history of Applicant A
1 September 1, 2014
Acquired the qualification of Solicitor in the
United Kingdom (England and Wales)
They have the qualification to become a
foreign lawyer (statutory requirement)
2 October 1, 2014 to November 30, 2019
Worked as an associate at X Law Office Located
in London, UK
They have the experience of having performed
professional duties as a foreign lawyer in the
jurisdiction of acquisition of qualification for 3
years or more after acquiring qualification
(statutory requirement)
3 December 1, 2019
Applied to the Ministry of Justice for Approval of
GJB status with UK as the Jurisdiction of
Primary Qualification
After being approved/registered as a GJB, I will
be employed by a Japanese lawyer and serve as
a GJB at D Law Office with UK as the
Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification.
Applicant: A
Nationality: The United Kingdom
Foreign Jurisdiction in which the applicant qualifies as lawyer (the
Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification): The United Kingdom
- 46 -
(Reference) Case #1
List of documents for Examination of application for approval
◆だいやまーく Application form for approval (photo and revenue stamps worth 27,500円 shall be
brought as they are and affixed at the Ministry’s office)
Fill out the format after downloading it from the Ministry of Justice’s website
◆だいやまーく Personal Statement (photocopy is acceptable)
Fill out the format after downloading it from the Ministry of Justice’s website
◆だいやまーく Curriculum vitae (photocopy is acceptable)
◆だいやまーく Passport or a copy of another kind of document for ID purpose
Photocopy of the bio-data page of the passport issued by the UK government
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies that the applicant qualifies for a foreign lawyer
Certificate of Good Standing issued by the SRA.
Extract from the Roll of Solicitors issued by the SRA.
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies the applicant’s work experiences as a foreign lawyer
Extract from the Roll of Solicitors issued by the SRA.
Work certificate prepared by the representative of X Law Office or Applicant A’s
supervisor
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies the applicant’s plan to appropriately and surely perform their
duties (in the case of an employee)
Copy of employment contract between D Law Office and Applicant A
Document describing D Law Office’s business operations and other business outline
Copy of lease agreement of D Law Office
Written statement prepared by the employer
(Audit firm’s letter evaluating D Law Office’s financial position)
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies that the applicant keeps their residence
Written statement specifically describing that D Law Office will provide A’s residence
before A gets approved as a GJB
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies financial basis
Guarantee certificate describing that D Law Office will support A’s stay in Japan as
long as A is employed
Audit firm’s letter evaluating D Law Office’s financial position
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies the ability to compensate for damages
Guarantee certificate that D Law Office will pay for possible damages in place of A if A
is sued for compensatory damages resulting from A’s duties in Japan
Audit firm’s letter evaluating D Law Office’s financial position
Sworn
Statements
that will be
signed at the
time of filing an
application
(Original)
Document in which the applicant swears they do not fall under any of the
items of Article 7 of the Attorneys Act
Document in which the applicant swears they do not fall under any of the
provisions of Article 12, paragraph (1), item (ii), (a) through (d) of the Act
Document in which the applicant swears they will faithfully perform
their duties
- 47 -
Case #2
Personal history of Applicant B
1 September 30, 2016
Acquired the qualification of Attorney and
Counselor at law in New York State, USA
They have the qualification to become a
foreign lawyer (statutory requirement)
2 October 1, 2016 to October 31, 2017
Worked as an associate at Y Law Office located
in New York State
They have the experience of having performed
professional duties as a foreign lawyer in the
jurisdiction of acquisition of qualification for a
year and a month after acquiring qualification.
3 November 1, 2017 to November 30, 2019
Got employed by a Japanese lawyer (Attorney at
Law) at Z Law Office in Tokyo, Japan, and
provided labor services based on the knowledge
as Attorney and Counselor at law of New York
State for Z Law Office
The provision of their services to the Attorney
at Law in Japan based on their knowledge
concerning the laws of the jurisdiction of
acquisition of qualification for more than two
years.
4 December 1, 2019
Applied to the Ministry of Justice for approval of
a GJB status with New York State as the
Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification
After being approved/registered as a GJB, I
will start a GJB office on my own with New
York State as the Jurisdiction of Primary
Qualification.
above-stated experience for a year and a month
in New York State+above-stated experience for 2 years in Japan
They have the experience of having performed
professional duties as a foreign lawyer for 3
years or more after acquiring qualification
(statutory requirement)
Applicant: B
Nationality: The United States of America
Foreign Jurisdiction in which the applicant qualifies as lawyer (the
Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification):
State of New York, the United States of America
- 48 -
(Reference)Case #2
List of documents for Examination of application for approval
◆だいやまーく Application form for approval (photo and revenue stamps worth 27,500円 shall be
brought as they are and affixed at the Ministry’s office)
Fill out the format after downloading it from the Ministry of Justice’s website
◆だいやまーく Personal Statement
Fill out the format after downloading it from the Ministry of Justice’s website
◆だいやまーく Curriculum vitae
◆だいやまーく Passport or a copy of another kind of document for ID purpose
Photocopy of the bio-data page of the passport issued by the US government
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies that the applicant qualifies for a foreign lawyer
Qualification certificate issued by the New York State Supreme Court
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies the applicant’s work experience as a foreign lawyer
Work certificate prepared by the representative of Y Law Office or Applicant B’s
supervisor
Work certificate prepared by Mr./Ms. B’s employer lawyer about the fact B worked for Z
Law Office
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies the applicant’s plan to appropriately and surely perform their
duties (in the case of independent business)
Copy of lease agreement about the newly opened office
Written plan about new business
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies that the applicant keeps their residence
Copy of lease agreement
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies financial basis
B’s deposit balance certificate
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies the ability to compensate for damages
Copy of the lawyer’s liability insurance policy that designates B as the insured
Sworn
Statements
that will be
signed at the
time of filing an
application
(Original)
Document in which the applicant swears they do not fall under any of the
items of Article 7 of the Attorneys Act
Document in which the applicant swears they do not fall under any of the
provisions of Article 12, paragraph (1), item (ii), (a) through (d) of the Act
Document in which the applicant swears they will faithfully perform
their duties
- 49 -
Case #3
Personal history of Applicant C
1 September 1, 2019
Acquired the qualification of Solicitor in the
United Kingdom (England and Wales)
They have the qualification to become a
foreign lawyer (statutory requirement)
2 September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020
Worked as an associate at X Law Office located
in London, UK
They have the experience of having performed
professional duties as a foreign lawyer in the
jurisdiction of acquisition of qualification for a
year after acquiring qualification.
3 September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2022
Worked as an associate at Hong Kong branch of
X Law Office located in China (Hong Kong) (also
was registered as a foreign lawyer in Hong Kong),
based on the qualification of Solicitor for UK law
They have the experience of having engaged in
the practice of providing legal services, in a
foreign jurisdiction other than the jurisdiction
of acquisition of qualification for 2years
concerning the laws of the jurisdiction of
acquisition of qualification on the basis of the
qualification to become a foreign lawyer.
4 November 1, 2022
Applied to the Ministry of Justice for approval of
a GJB status with UK as the Jurisdiction of
Primary Qualification
After getting approved/registered as a GJB,
I will be employed by a X Joint Corporation
and serve as a GJB at X Joint Corporation
with UK as the Jurisdiction of Primary
Qualification.
above-stated experience for 1 year in United
Kingdom+above-stated experience for 2 in China (Hong
Kong)
They have the experience of having performed
professional duties as a foreign lawyer for 3
years or more after acquiring qualification
(statutory requirement)
Applicant: C
Nationality: China (Hong Kong SAR)
Foreign Jurisdiction in which the applicant qualifies as lawyer (the
Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification): The United Kingdom
- 50 -
(Reference) Case #3
List of documents for Examination of application for approval
◆だいやまーく Application form for approval (photo and revenue stamps worth 27,500円 shall be
brought as they are and affixed at the Ministry’s office)
Fill out the format after downloading it from the Ministry of Justice’s website
◆だいやまーく Personal Statement
Fill out the format after downloading it from the Ministry of Justice’s website
◆だいやまーく Curriculum vitae
◆だいやまーく Passport or a copy of another kind of document for ID purpose
Photocopy of the bio-data page of the passport issued by the Chinese (Hong Kong SAR)
government
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies that the applicant qualifies for a foreign lawyer
Certificate of Good Standing issued by the SRA.
Extract from the Roll of Solicitors issued by the SRA.
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies the applicant’s work experiences as a foreign lawyer
Extract from the Roll of Solicitors issued by the SRA.
Work certificate prepared by the representative of X Law Office or Applicant C’s
supervisor about the fact C worked for X Law Office
Work certificate prepared by the representative of X Law Office, the head of the Hong
Kong branch of X Law Office, or C’s supervisor about the fact C worked for the Hong
Kong branch of X Law Office
Foreign lawyer registration certificate issued by the Hong Kong Lawyers Association
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies the applicant’s plan to appropriately and surely perform their
duties (in the case of an employee)
Copy of employment contract between X Joint Corporation and Applicant C
Document describing X Joint Corporation’s business operations and other business
outline
Copy of lease agreement of X Joint Corporation
Written statement prepared by the employer
(Audit firm’s letter evaluating X Joint Corporation’s financial position)
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies that the applicant keeps their residence
Written statement specifically describing that X Joint Corporation will provide C’s
residence before C gets approved as a GJB
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies financial basis
Guarantee certificate describing that X Joint Corporation will support C’s stay in
Japan as long as C remains employed
Audit firm’s letter evaluating X Joint Corporation’s financial position
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies the ability to compensate for damages
Copy of the lawyer’s liability insurance policy that designates C as the insured
Sworn
Statements
that will be
signed at the
time of filing an
application
(Original)
Document in which the applicant swears they do not fall under any of the
items of Article 7 of the Attorneys Act
Document in which the applicant swears they do not fall under any of the
provisions of Article 12, paragraph (1), item (ii), (a) through (d) of the Act
Document in which the applicant swears they will faithfully perform
their duties
- 51 -
Case #4
Personal history of Applicant D
1 September 1, 2018
Acquired the qualification of Attorney and Counselor at
law in New York State, USA
They have the qualification to become a
foreign lawyer (statutory requirement)
2 September 1, 2018 to March 31, 2020
Worked as an associate at X Law Office located in New
York State
They have the experience of having performed
professional duties as a foreign lawyer in the
jurisdiction of acquisition of qualification for a
year and seven months after acquiring
qualification.
3 April 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020
Worked as an associate at Y Law Office located in
District of Colombia, based on the qualification of
Attorney and Counselor at law of New York State
They have the experience of having engaged in
the practice of providing legal services in a
foreign jurisdiction other than the jurisdiction
of acquisition of qualification for 7 months
concerning the laws of the jurisdiction of
acquisition of qualification on the basis of the
qualification to become a foreign lawyer.
4 November 1, 2020
Acquired the qualification of Attorney and Counselor at
law in District of Colombia, USA
They have the qualification to become a foreign
lawyer of the specified foreign jurisdiction.
(statutory requirement)
5 December 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021
Got employed by a GJB at Z GJB Office in Tokyo, Japan,
and provided labor services based on the knowledge as
Attorney and Counselor at law of New York State and
District of Colombia.
They have the experience of provision of their
services to the registered foreign lawyer based
on their knowledge concerning the laws of the
jurisdiction of acquisition of qualification for a
year.
6 December 1, 2021
Applied to the Ministry of Justice for approval and
designation with New York State as the Jurisdiction of
Primary Qualification, and District of Columbia law as the law
of Specified Foreign Jurisdiction.
After getting approved/designated/registered as
a GJB, I will continue to serve for Z GJB Office
as a partner lawyer.
above-stated experience for 1 year and 7months
in New York State+above-stated experience for 7 months in District
of Columbia+above-stated experience for 1 year in Japan
They have the experience of having performed
professional duties as a foreign lawyer for 3
years or more after acquiring qualification
(statutory requirement)
Applicant: D
Nationality: The United States of America
Foreign Jurisdiction in which the applicant qualifies as lawyer (the Jurisdiction of Primary
Qualification): State of New York, the United States of America
Specified Foreign Law designated: The District of Columbia law, USA
- 52 -
(Reference) Case #4
List of documents for Examination of application for approval
◆だいやまーく Application form for approval (photo and revenue stamps worth 27,500円 shall be
brought as they are and affixed at the Ministry’s office)
◆だいやまーく Application form for designation (photo and revenue stamps worth 13,400円 shall be
brought as they are and affixed at the Ministry’s office)
Fill out the format after downloading it from the Ministry of Justice’s website
◆だいやまーく Personal Statement
Fill out the format after downloading it from the Ministry of Justice’s website
◆だいやまーく Curriculum vitae
◆だいやまーく Passport or a copy of another kind of document for ID purpose
Photocopy of the bio-data page of the passport issued by the US government
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies that the applicant qualifies for a foreign lawyer
Qualification certificate issued by the New York State Supreme Court
Qualification certificate issued by the Court of Appeals, District of Columbia
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies the applicant’s work experiences as a foreign lawyer
Work certificate prepared by the representative or supervisor of X Law Office about the fact that
Applicant D worked for X Law Office
Work certificate prepared by the representative or supervisor of Y Law Office about the fact that D
worked for Y Law Office
Document certifying that the applicant is able to lawfully serve as a New York State lawyer even in
the District of Columbia (Certifying letter from the District of Columbia Bar Association, or written
statement describing that the applicant is able to lawfully serve as a New York State lawyer in the
District of Columbia)
Work certificate prepared by D’s employer GJB about the fact D worked for Z GJB Office
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies the applicant’s plan to appropriately and surely perform their
duties (in the case of a joint venture)
Document that certifies the conditions of the joint venture, such as distribution percentage of
revenues and expenditures, jointly signed by joint partners
Document describing the outline of Z GJB Office
Copy of lease agreement about Z GJB Office
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies that the applicant keeps their residence
Registered matter certificate on the residence owned by D’s spouse
Marriage certificate for D and their spouse (Document that certifies the relationship between D and
their spouse)
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies financial basis
Guarantee certificate that the home nation law firm of Z GJB Office will support D’s stay in Japan
and office operations
Audit firm’s letter evaluating financial position of the home nation law firm of Z GJB Office
◆だいやまーく Document that certifies the ability to compensate for damages
Guarantee certificate that the home nation law firm of Z GJB Office will pay for possible damages
in place of D if D is sued for compensatory damages resulting from D’s duties in Japan
Audit firm’s letter evaluating financial position of the home nation law firm of Z GJB Office
Sworn
Statements
that will be
signed at the
time of filing an
application
(Original)
Document in which the applicant swears they do not fall under any of the
items of Article 7 of the Attorneys Act
Document in which the applicant swears they do not fall under any of the
provisions of Article 12, paragraph (1), item (ii), (a) through (d) of the Act
Document in which the applicant swears they will faithfully perform their
duties
□しろいしかく☑(Place of Birth) 記名
(Name)
(year) (month) (day)
(原 語)Original language
(カタカナ)
Katakana (Japanese phonogram)
ソリシター オブ ザ シニア
コーツ
20YY 年 MM 月 DD 日
資格を取得した年月
私は、上記の外国弁護士となる資格を基礎として、外国弁護士による法律事務の取扱
い等に関する法律第9条の規定による承認を受けたいので、同法施行規則に定める書類
を添えて申請します。なお、添える書類の写しは、原本と相違ありません。
○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる外国弁護士となる資格
申請前6箇月以内に撮影し
たものであること。
Taken within 6 months
before application
(原 語)Original language生年月日
法務・桜・美咲
(Present address)
(Date of Birth)
(ローマ字)Roman alphabet
収入印紙性別
(原 語)Original language
男 Male氏 名国籍
(year) (month) (day)住 所
東京都千代田区霞が関 1-1-1 ○しろまる○しろまる×ばつ階△しろさんかく△しろさんかく号室
承 認 申 請 書
(Application for Approval)
法務大臣 殿(To the Minister of Justice)
写真
(Photograph)
(4c×ばつ3cm)
別記様式第一号(第五条関係)(Appended Form No.1/Article 5 of the Regulations) Section 6 Examples of application form and
personal statement
担 当 官出生地ホウム・サクラ・ミサキ外国弁護士の名称
20YY 年 MM 月 DD 日
○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる
19YY 年 MM 月 DD 日
(year) (month) (day)
(Date of Acquisition)
(Nationality /
Citizenship)
Officer in charge
女 Female
Not to mark as
cancelled
(City,State,Country/Federation)
(Title of Foreign lawyer)
Revenue
Stamp
消印しないこと
Based on the above qualification to become a foreign lawyer, I hereby file an
application for approval under the provisions of Article 9 of the Act on the Handling of
Legal Services by Foreign Lawyers (the "Act") with documents required by the Regulations
for Enforcement of the Act, and certify that the copies of attached documents are true
and exact copies of the originals.
(ローマ字)Roman alphabet
(State,Country/Federation)
資格を取得した外国の国名
(Foreign Jurisdiction in which the
Qualification was Acquired)
(カタカナ)Katakana (Japanese phonogram)
Solicitor of the Senior Courts
(Qualification to become a foreign lawyer)
houmu・sakura・misaki
○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる
(Name in full)
(カタカナ)Katakana (Japanese phonogram)
○しろまる○しろまるbuilding ×ばつFl. Room No.△しろさんかく△しろさんかく, 1-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-
ku, Tokyo
トウキョウトチヨダクカスミガセキ 1-1-1 ○しろまる○しろまる×ばつカイ △しろさんかく△しろさんかくゴウ
シツ
(ローマ字)Roman alphabet
Postal Code 〒
AddressTelFax
email
Passport
Residence card, Special Permanent Resident Cetificate
Date of Birth
Nationality
Qualification certificate
Date of issuance
Issued by
Qualification certificate
original language Date of Issue
Alphabet
Issued by
Qualification certificate
Date of Issue
Qualifying
Authority
Issued by
Yes. No.
Period (1)
Experience in total Certificate (1)
Period
Independent practice
Employee
Issued by X Year(s)
Name of Office
Office location
Status at that time
Personal Statement *to write in English only
Academic
degree/title
earned
MM DD, 19XX
Written statement or materials, if the applicant does
not have a certificate of their qualification
Verification
statement (a
document to explain
evidence) attached
Document attached
to describe
applicable provisions
of the legislation
that governs their
qualification
Detailed written
statement attached
to explain the
disciplinary
punishment imposed
Written statement on disciplinary punishment
As stated in Attachment
Issued by
XX Gaikokuhou-Jimu-Bengoshi Jimusho
100-00XX
法務・桜・美咲
Number
XXX@YYY.ne.jp
MM DD, 20XX
MM DD, 20XX
Master of Law
Certification method and evidentiary material(s)
Name of the law office
the applicant intends to work
For the attention of : WWW
Date of
Expiration
Name of Bar Association,
which you intend to join in Japan
Other qualifications of the
applicant which are not
applied for approval or
designation
(original language)
Notes
Name of
School
(in the
Jurisdiction of
Primary
Qualification)
Has the applicant
been subject to
disciplinary
punishment?
81-3-XXXX-YYYY
XX, State of YY in the nation ofZZWork pattern
Name of
Faculty
Solicitor of the Senior Court
Name of Primary
Qualification
MM DD, 20XXXXFor Preliminary Examination
[experience period
certified in the Jurisdiction of Primary
Qualification]
Supreme Court, State of XXXX
81-3-WWWW-ZZZZ
Name of
Applicant
For application for approval
GraduationdateState law in XXXX in the nationYYYYSpecified foreign law that the
applicant simultaneously
applies for designation
Attorney at law in the state of XXXX in
the nation of YYYY
XXX Bar Association
Passport-related
information
The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of XXX
MM DD, 19XX
Date of
Issue
Contact Point in Japan for procedural purposes
CXXXXXXX
Houmu sakura misaki Nationality
Date of
Birth
XXth floor, YY building, AA-BB-CC
Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
(Alphabet)
Issuing
Authority
MM DD, 19XX
XXXX National University
Law School
As mentioned above
X years and Y months
Date of Issue
MM DD, 20XX
Jurisdiction of
Primary
Qualification
(state, province,
etc.)
State of AAAA in the nation ofBBBBDate of obtaining
the qualification
Assertions
Final academic
background as a
basis for qualification
Legal
Qualification/
Admission
Supreme Court, State of XXXX
MM DD, 20XX
The Bar association, State of AAAA
in the nation of BBBB
Associate
Matters ofexamName of
Applicant
Professional
Experience
Solicitor of the Senior Court
XX LLP
Date of
issuance
XXX LLP, YYY representative
The government or private
enterprise, or others
From MM DD, 19XX to MM DD,20XXY Month(s)
Document attached
to certify that the
qualification has
some limitations
Experience
period included
Detailed statement
attached to explain
in the case that the
"work pattern" falls
under "others"
MM DD, 20XX (Date of Filing)
Other certificate (such as a certificate of all matters
registered in the family register)
Joint management
period (2)
Experience in total Certificate (2)
Period Date of issuance
Independent practice
Employee Issued by
Name of Office
Office location
Status at that time
period (3)
Experience in total Certificate (3)
Period Date of issuance
Independent practice
Employee
Issued by
Name of Office Certificate (4)
Date of issuance
Office location
Status at that time
Issued by
period (4)
Experience in total
Period
Independent practice
Employee
1 Date of Issue
Name of Office
Issued by
Office location 2 Date of issue
Status at that time Issued by
period (5)
Experience in total Certificate (5)
Period Date of issuance
Providing labor services
1 year(s)
Issued by and
Name of Office month(s)
Certificate (6)
Office location Date of issuance
(In Japan)
Issued by
Status at that time
period (6)
Experience in total
Period
Providing labor services
Name of Office
Office location
Employer’s name
Status at that time
Work pattern
Associate
XX Gaikokuhou-Jimu-Bengoshi
Jimusho, Partner YY
Certificate on qualification, registration, or other
lawful activities in a third nation
X years and Y months
From MM DD, 20XX to the present
MM DD, YYYY
WWW LLP, ZZZ representative
Certificate of
Professional
Experience other
than (1) and (2)
Work pattern
Employer’s name
Professional
Experience
XX Gaikokuhou-Jimu-Bengoshi Jimusho,
Partner YY
The government or private enterprise, or
others
The government or private enterprise, or
others
From MM DD, 20XX to MM DD,20XXProfessional
Experience XX, State of YY in the nation ofZZWork pattern
XX Gaikokuhou-Jimu-Bengoshi Jimusho
MM DD, XXXX
XX LLPYearMonth
Certificate of
Professional
Experience other
than (3) and (4)
Detailed statement
attached to explain
in the case that the
"work pattern" falls
under "others"
Inventory of
Evidence with
documents to
explain evidence
attached
Other Professional Experience is shown in an
attached document.
Work pattern
Partner
XX LLP
XX, State of YY in the nation ofZZPartner
XX LLP Partner YY
X years and Y months
X years and Y months
MM DD, YYYY
Written statement or materials, if the applicant does
not have a certificate of their lawful activities in such
third jurisdiction(s)
(in the
Jurisdiction
of Primary
Qualification)
Professional
Experience
Work pattern
Other Professional Experience is shown in an
attached document.
XX, YY-ku, Tokyo, Japan
MM DD, YYYY
The Bar association, State of AAAA
in the nation of BBBB
The government or private enterprise, or
others
Joint management
Joint management
Other Professional Experience is shown in an
attached document. If you need to addition.
Joint management
From MM DD, 20XX to MM DD,20XX[as certified in third county(ies)]
Professional
Experience
period included
Aggregated
Total in Japan
(in third
jurisdiction(s))Indefinite period XXX days
Employee
Prepared on
Prepared by
Prepared on
Prepared by
Prepared on
Prepared by
Independent practice
Prepared on
Prepared by
Prepared on
Prepared byJPYPrepared on
Prepared by
(Please circle the applicable one.)
Prepared on
Prepared by
Prepared on
Prepared byJPYPrepared on
Prepared by
AAA, Representative
Document on business plan
X years and Y months
Grounds for the
disqualification
the will to
perform
professional
duties faithfully
Activity period
Total Period of
Professional
Experience
The applicant does not fall under any disqualification cause
as mentioned in Formats 2, 3, and 4, as attached
The total period
asserted
Lease agreement or other document on securing the
office.
MMM Building Co., Ltd. andXX
Gaikokuhou-Jimu-Bengoshi Jimusho
Audit report or other document on the employer’s
financial basis.
Document in which they pledge (Sworn Statement)
(at the time of application for approval)
MM DD, YYYY
Employment contract or other document clearly
describing employment conditions.
Scheduled activity
period
As evidenced
Outline of the employer’s office is stated
in an attached document.
XX Gaikokuhou-Jimu-Bengoshi
Jimusho, Partner YY
MM DD, YYYY
Future activity plan and other special
matters
Document on incorporation (start-up) funds and other
financial basis
AAA, Representative and all others
partner
Estimated annual operating cost for the
office
Future activity plan and other special
matters
MMM Building Co., Ltd. andXX
Gaikokuhou-Jimu-Bengoshi Jimusho
As stated in the Attachment.
As stated in the Attachment.
Location and name of the office
X years and Y months
The number of days for
scheduled overseas activities
XX Gaikokuhou-Jimu-Bengoshi
Jimusho, Partner YY
Stay in Japan for
more than 180
days per year
Document attached
to describe the
outline of the office
Certificate attached
on employment
contract, the
employer’s financial
basis, or securing
the office.
Document on other
special matters
attached
Document attached
to explain securing
the office (a written
contract etc.) and
document on
incorporation (start-
up) funds attached
Written agreement or
other document attached
to certify the joint
management’s(or foreign
law joint
enterprise's)conditions,
such as distribution of
revenues and
expenditures (contract,
etc.)
The applicant’s business plan and
financial basis are stated in the right
column.
As stated in the Attachment.
Written agreement or other document describing joint management’s(or
foreign law joint enterprise's) contract terms
Lease agreement or other document on securing the
office.
National GGG Bank
MM DD, YYYY
Outline of
Certification
The certificate of deposit, about C
million $
MM DD, YYYY
Document on
incorporation (start-
up) funds attached
Document attached
on business plan
Written oath
attached on citing
other accompanying
document(s) for
application for
approval.
Lease agreement or other document on securing the
office.
MM DD, YYYY
Work pattern
The applicant’s business plan and financial
basis are stated in the right column.
Location and name of the office
XXth floor, YY building, AA-BB-CC
Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
ZZZ Gaikokuhou-Jimu-Bengoshi Jimusho
XXth floor, YY building, AA-BB-CC
Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
ZZZ Gaikokuhou-Jimu-Bengoshi
Jimusho
MM DD, YYYY
XX Gaikokuhou-Jimu-Bengoshi
Jimusho, Partner YY
MM DD, YYYY
Document attached
to explain secure of
the office (a written
contract etc.)
other special matters
AA,000,000
AA,000,000
Estimated annual operating cost for the
office
The applicant’s business plan and financial
basis are stated in the right column.
MM DD, YYYY
Joint management/Foreign law joint enterprise
JJJ Bank
MM DD, YYYY
Document on incorporation (start-up) funds and other
financial basis
 Others
Prepared on
Prepared by
Prepared on
Prepared by Prepared on
Prepared by
Address
Prepared on
Residence Prepared by
As attached
Prepared on
Guaranteed by
Prepared on
Guaranteed by
Domestic professional liability insurance
Prepared on
Prepared by
Guarantee of domestic office in Japan
Prepared on
Prepared by
Prepared on
Prepared byYesNO
ApplicantDateEstablish your own office while working
for the legal affairs section in a company
The applicant works for a certain
company and only engages in legal
affairs for such company.
Other
MM DD, YYYY
Work patternXXXXProfessional
Liability
Compensation
Reciprocity
principle
Certificate issued by C.P.A.
The headquarters' latest balance sheet
Written statement on professional
liability compensation for damages
the ability to
compensate for
damages
Document attached
to certify any other
relevant matter
Document certifying the reciprocity in the case that
the jurisdiction is not a member state of WTO
MM DD, YYYY Name in full
(Print)
other special matters
Document on business plan or other work patterns
regarding arrangement
EEEE, President & CEO, FFFF
Co., Ltd.
I hereby provide my personal statement as mentioned above. Evidentiary materials that serve as proof for the descriptions herein are
stated in the corresponding columns and are true and correct.
Is the Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification a WTO
member state?
Lease agreement or
other document on
securing the
residence; attached
Document attached
to guarantee
secureing your
residence
Document attached
to certify any other
relevant matter
Employment contract or other document clearly
describing employment conditions.
Copy of certificate
attached to describe
the insurance
coverage
GGGG, CPA at HHH Accounting
Office
KKK, Legal Affairs Department,
MMM Co., Ltd.
Document attached
to explain securing
the office (a written
contract etc.) and
document on
incorporation (start-
up) funds attached
Document attached
regarding any other
work patterns
arrangement
Document certifying the ability for compensation for
damages
Certificate attached
on employment
contract, the
employer’s financial
basis
Document certifying the ability for compensation for
damages
MM DD, YYYY
RRR, CPA at SSS Accounting
Office
Document certifying the ability for compensation for
damages
XX Gaikokuhou-Jimu-Bengoshi
Jimusho, TTT representative
Document certifying the office's assets
Certificate issued by C.P.A.
NNN Real Estate Corporation and XX
Gaikokuhou-Jimu-Bengoshi Jimusho,OOOMM DD, YYYY
XXX LLP, QQQ representative
partner
Other certification method
The office's latest Balance Sheet
Document certifying the office's assets
The applicant has the insurance/guarantee for
compensating for possible damages as follows.
Lawyer's liability insurance by the
applicant personally
Insurance/guarantee of law firm in the home
nation / Foreign headquarter
Insurance by applicant’s office
XXth floor, Apartment YYY, 1-2-3
ZZZ, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Method of securing your residence
MM DD, YYYY
Document on incorporation (start-up) funds and other
financial basis
MM DD, YYYY
As stated in the attached document(s)
Other certificates
Location and name of the office
Lease agreement or other document on securing the
residence
Document guaranteeing scheduled securing the
residence
MM DD, YYYY
MM DD, YYYY
□しろいしかく☑(Place of Birth)☑
□しろいしかく
記名
(Name)
消印しないこと
Application for designation pursuant to the
provisions of Article 17, paragraph (1), item
(i) of the Act
Application for designation pursuant to the
provisions of Article 17, paragraph (1), item
(ii) of the Act
○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる
(Date of Birth)
(Present address)
(Category)
○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる
(カタカナ)Katakana (Japanese phonogram)
において効力を有し、又
は有した法
私は、上記の特定外国法について、外国弁護士による法律事務の取扱い等に関する法
律第17条第1項の規定による指定を受けたいので、同法施行規則に定める書類を添え
て申請します。なお、添える書類の写しは、原本と相違ありません。
収入印紙住 所
東京都千代田区霞が関 1-1-1 ○しろまる○しろまる×ばつ階△しろさんかく△しろさんかく号室
○しろまる○しろまるbuilding ×ばつFl. Room No.△しろさんかく△しろさんかく, 1-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-
ku, Tokyo
トウキョウトチヨダクカスミガセキ△しろさんかく△しろさんかく-△しろさんかく△しろさんかく-△しろさんかく△しろさんかく ○しろまる○しろまる×ばつカイ△しろさんかく△しろさんかくゴ
ウシツ
(ローマ字)Roman alphabet
(Jurisdiction of primary qualification)
別記様式第五号(第十三条関係)(Appended Form No.5/Article 13 of the Regulations)
指 定 申 請 書
(Application for Designation)
法務大臣 殿(To the Minister of Justice)
写真
(Photograph)
(4c×ばつ3cm)
担 当 官
Officer in charge
(year) (month) (day)
20YY 年 MM 月 DD 日
Regarding the above laws of the specified foreign jurisdiction, I hereby file an
application for designation pursuant to the provisions of Article 17, paragraph (1) of
the Act on the Handling of Legal Services by Foreign Lawyers (the "Act") with documents
required by the Regulations for Enforcement of the Act, and certify that the copies of
attached documents are true and exact copies of the originals.
女 Female
Not to mark as
cancelled
The laws which are or
were effective in the
specified foreign
jurisdiction
(State,Country/Federation)氏 名国籍生年月日
男 Male
(原 語)Original language出生地ホウム・サクラ・ミサキ性別
19YY 年 MM 月 DD 日 ○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる
(City,State,Country/Federation)
(Nationality /
Citizenship)
(year) (month) (day)
(State,Country/Federation)
○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる○しろまる
(Laws of the specified
foreign jurisdiction for
designation)原資格国特定外国法申請区分法第17条第1項第1号による指定の申請
法第17条第1項第2号による指定の申請
Revenue
Stamp
申請前6箇月以内に撮影し
たものであること。
(ローマ字)Roman alphabet
(カタカナ)Katakana (Japanese phonogram)
(Name in full)
法務・桜・美咲
Taken within 6 months
before application
(原 語)Original language
houmu・sakura・misaki
- 59 -
Section 1
Notification/report that must be made by persons whose qualification as GJB
were approved
1. Notification
If your qualification as a GJB is approved, and certain prescribed matters
have changed, then you need to notify the Minister of such a change in
accordance with the Regulations.
Support by the law offices are absolutely essential for GJB to appropriately
and securely perform their duties. The law offices’ support and cooperation to
GJB would be highly appreciated.
(1) If notification is necessary...
You have to give notification to the Minister if you fall under the cases as
shown in the "List of accompanying documents for notification in accordance
with Article 10, paragraph (1) of the Regulations" section.
If you come under one of these cases, please notify the Minister of it without
delay.
Above all, the "ability to compensate for damages" is an indispensable
prerequisite for approval from the viewpoint of protecting clients.
If you transfer to another GJB office or if you close your independent office
Part 5 Notification/report obligations
Section 1 Notification/report that must be made by persons whose
qualification as GJB were approved (Page 59)
1. Notification (Page 59)
2. Report (so-called "biennial report") (Page 62)
Section 2 Notification/report that must be made by persons who obtained
the designation of Laws of Specified Foreign Jurisdiction(Page 64)
1. Notification (Page 64)
2. Report (so-called "biennial report") (Page 65)
- 60 -
and become employed by another GJB office, these are general cases that fall
under "significant change in the ability to compensate for damages", so that
you need to notify the Minister of them.
If any case occurs which seems to fall under these changes, please consult
the Ministry. The information for contacting the Ministry is on the boxed
article at the bottom of the chart, "Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi / Flow of
Approval Procedures."
- 61 -
List accompanying documents for notification in accordance with Article 10,
paragraph (1) of the Regulations
Paragraph 1,
Article 10 of the
Regulations
Reason(s) for
notification
Condition(s)
Notification
format
Accompanying document
(example)
Item 1
any change in their
name -
Notificationform(approval-related)
Copy of "applicant-use copy" of the
Registered Foreign Lawyer Roll Change
Application Form, with the receipt seal
affixed by the applicant’s bar association
any change in their
nationality -
Copy of "applicant-use copy" of the
Registered Foreign Lawyer Roll Change
Application Form, with the receipt seal
affixed by the applicant’s bar association
any change in their
address in Japan -
Copy of "applicant-use copy" of the
Registered Foreign Lawyer Roll Change
Application Form, with the receipt seal
affixed by the applicant’s bar association
Item 2
their office has been
established - N/A
their office has been
moved -
Copy of "applicant-use copy" of the
Registered Foreign Lawyer Roll Change
Application Form, with the receipt seal
affixed by the applicant’s bar association
Item 3
the name of their office
has been fixed - N/A
the name of their office
has been changed -
Copy of "applicant-use copy" of the
Registered Foreign Lawyer Roll Change
Application Form, with the receipt seal
affixed by the applicant’s bar association
Item 4
There has taken place
an important change
in their ability to
compensate for
damages which they
may cause to clients-Written statement from the registered
foreign lawyer or the applicant’s law
office, describing such situations
Item 5
if they have come to
fall under any of the
persons listed in Article
12, paragraph (1),
item (ii), sub-items (a)
to (d) of the GJBAct.(a)
a person who has been sentenced to a
punishment under foreign laws and
regulations which is equivalent to
imprisonment or heavier punishment
1) Written statement from the registered
foreign lawyer or the applicant’s law
office, describing such situations
(Example)
Written statement that explains such
situations or describes the applicant gets
fired because they falls under the
category
2) Copy of certificate issued by the
competent organization, describing such
situations
(Example)
Copy of the transcript describing the
court judgment / decision(b)a person who has been given a court ruling
under foreign laws and regulations which is
equivalent to a dismissal by the Court of
Impeachment(c)a person who has been punished under
foreign laws and regulations which is
equivalent to a disciplinary action provided
in Article 7, item (iii) of the Attorneys Act,
and for whom three years have not passed
from the date the punishment was imposed(d)a person who is treated under foreign laws
and regulations, in a manner equivalent to a
person who received an order for the
commencement of bankruptcy proceedings
and who has not had their rights restored
Item 6
if they have lost the
qualification to
become a foreign
lawyer in the jurisdiction
of primary qualification.-Item 7
if they have come to
fall under any of the
items of Article 7 of the
Attorneys Act (except
item (ii)) applied
mutatis mutandis
pursuant to Article 10 of
the GJB Act.(i)A person who has been sentenced to
imprisonment without work or severer
punishment
(iii)
a person who, through disciplinary action,
has been disbarred as an attorney or as a
registered foreign lawyer, has been
prohibited from practicing as a patent
attorney, has had their registration as a
certified public accountant revoked, has
been prohibited from providing services as a
certified public tax accountant, or has been
dismissed from their office as a public
employee, and three years have not elapsed
from the date on which disciplinary action
was imposed(iv)a person who received a decision for the
commencement of bankruptcy proceedings
and has not had their rights restored
- 62 -
(2) How to give notification
Notification needs to be given by submitting documents.
The format of notification is not officially prescribed, but an appropriate
format for notification is available. (Refer to the reference example at the
end of this "Reference material 2")
A notification can be submitted at MOJ office in person or by attorney.
The notification by mail is also accepted respectively. You can send the
notification documents to the Ministry by attaching the data of
documents to the e-mail.
The e-mail address for submitting notification is different from that for
application procedures. Please ask MOJ staff of the e-mail address if necessary.
The contact number is at the bottom of the page "Flow of approval procedures."
How to obtain the format for notification provided in Article 1, paragraph (1) of
the Regulations
1. Downloading from the Ministry of Justice’s website
http://www.moj.go.jp/housei/gaiben/housei07_00028.html
https://www.moj.go.jp/EN/housei/gaiben/housei07_00003.html
The following form is available from the URL above.
Reference Form (Notification under Article 10, paragraph (1) of the Regulations)
2. Visiting the Ministry of Justice’s office to obtain the format
2. Report (so-called "biennial report")
If you get approval of your qualification to become a GJB, you need to submit
certain documents to the Minister every 2 years from the date you get
approved. These documents are to be submitted within 2 months after
expiration of the 2-year period in accordance with the Regulations.
(1) Document to be submitted
You need to submit the following documents on the next page.
- 63 -
List of accompanying documents for report in accordance with Article 10, paragraph
(2) of the Regulations
Reason(s) for
report
Article 10,
Paragraph (2) of
the Regulations
(Reference provisions)
report
format
Accompanying
document
A person who has
obtained Approval
shall submit the
following documents,
such as "the document
certifying that you
qualify as a foreign
lawyer in the state of
primary qualification"
etc., to the Minister of
Justice within two
months after the
expiration of every
two years from the
date when they have
obtained such
Approval.(i)a document
certifying that
they actually
have a
qualification as a
foreign lawyer in
the jurisdiction
of primary
qualification
Report
(approval-related)
See the "Documents that certifies
that the applicant has qualified as a
foreign lawyer and has still such a
qualification" section of Part 4,
"Commentary on supporting
documents to be prepared."
* If you are uncertain, please
consult with us.(ii)a written
statement on the
status of their
practice and
assets
See declaration of Professional and
financial Status (Reference
material 2)
(iii)
a document in
which they
pledge that they
do not fall under
any of the
provisions of
Article 12,
paragraph (1),
item (ii), (a)
through (d) of theAct(a)
a person who has been sentenced to a punishment under
foreign laws and regulations which is equivalent to
imprisonment or heavier punishment
Sworn Statement related with
Article 10, paragraph (2), item (iii)
of the Regulations(b)a person who has been given a court ruling under foreign
laws and regulations which is equivalent to a dismissal
by the Court of Impeachment(c)a person who has been punished under foreign laws and
regulations which is equivalent to a disciplinary action
provided in Article 7, item (iii) of the Attorneys Act, and
for whom three years have not passed from the date the
punishment was imposed(d)a person who is treated under foreign laws and
regulations, in a manner equivalent to a person who
received an order for the commencement of bankruptcy
proceedings and who has not had their rights restored(iv)a document in
which they
pledge that they
do not fall under
any of the items
of Article 7 of the
Attorneys Act
(except item (ii))
as applied
mutatis mutandis
pursuant to
Article 10 of theAct(i)
a person who has been sentenced to imprisonment
without work or a severer punishment
Sworn Statement related with
Article 10, paragraph (2), item (iv)
of the Regulations
(iii)
a person who, through disciplinary action, has been
disbarred as an attorney or as a registered foreign lawyer,
has been prohibited from practicing as a patent attorney,
has had their registration as a certified public accountant
revoked, has been prohibited from providing services as
a certified public tax accountant, or has been dismissed
from their office as a public employee, and three years
have not elapsed from the date on which disciplinary
action was imposed(iv)a person who received a decision for the commencement
of bankruptcy proceedings and has not had their rights
restored
Exclusion factors for
biennial report
(approval-related)
You fall under Article
10, paragraph (1),
item (vi) or (vii) of the
Regulation.(vi)if they have lost
the qualification
to be a foreign
lawyer in the
jurisdiction of
primary
qualification
Notificationform(approval-related)
See "List of supporting documents
for notification in accordance with
Article 10, paragraph (1) of the
Regulations."
(vii)
if they fall under
any of the items
of Article 7 of the
Attorneys Act
(except item (ii))
as applied
mutatis mutandis
pursuant to
Article 10 of theAct(i)
a person who has been sentenced to imprisonment without
work or a severer punishment
(iii)
a person who, through disciplinary action, has been
disbarred as an attorney or as a registered foreign lawyer,
has been prohibited from practicing as a patent attorney,
has had their registration as a certified public accountant
revoked, has been prohibited from providing services as a
certified public tax accountant, or has been dismissed
from their office as a public employee, and three years
have not elapsed from the date on which disciplinary
action was imposed(iv)a person who received a decision for the commencement
of bankruptcy proceedings and has not had their rights
restored
- 64 -
(2) How to report
The format of report is not officially prescribed, but an appropriate
format for report is available. (Refer to the reference example at the end
of this "Reference material 2")
The documents of report are to be submitted basically in the same way as
those of notification. However, you are supposed to submit the statement
prescribed by Article 10, paragraph (2), item (iii) and (iv) of the
Regulations either by mail or visiting to MOJ office, not by E-mail with
the attachment of PDF data.
The procedures of report will not be completed unless all the necessary
documents are submitted. If one of those documents are sent attached to
the E-mail, please be sure to submit the statement as explained above
without delay.
How to obtain the formats for report provided in Article 10, paragraph (2) of
the Regulations
1. Downloading from the Ministry of Justice’s website
http://www.moj.go.jp/housei/gaiben/housei07_00028.html
https://www.moj.go.jp/EN/housei/gaiben/housei07_00003.html
The following forms are available from the URL above.
Reference Form for Approval and Designation (Report under Article 10,
paragraph (2), and Article 15, paragraph (2) of the Regulations)
Declaration of Professional and Financial Status
Report (approval-related) and Report (designation-related) are in
the same format.
2. Visiting the Ministry of Justice’s office to obtain the formats
Section 2
Notification/report that must be made by persons who obtained the
designation of Laws of Specified Foreign Jurisdiction
1. Notification
After getting the designation of Laws of Specified Foreign Jurisdiction
provided by Article 17, paragraph (1), item (i) of the GJB Act, if you lose your
qualification as a foreign lawyer which is the basis for the designation, you
need to notify the Minister of the fact according to the Regulations.
- 65 -
You need to submit documents of notification.
The format of notification is not officially designated.
A notification can be submitted at MOJ office in person or by attorney.
The notification by mail is also accepted respectively. Moreover, you can
send the notification documents to the Ministry by attaching the data of
documents to the E-mail. Please ask MOJ staff of the E-mail address if
necessary (the E-mail address for report is different from that for
approval procedures). The contact number is at the bottom of the page
"Flow of approval procedures."
List of accompanying documents for notification/report in accordance with Article
15 of the Regulations
Article 15 of the Regulations
Reasons for
notification/report
Format of
notification
/report
Accompanying document
Paragraph1If a person who has received
a designation under Article
17, paragraph (1), item (i) of
the Act has lost their
qualification as a foreign
lawyer, they must notify the
Minister of Justice to that
effect without delay.
You have lost the
qualification of a
foreign lawyer, which
served as a basis for
designation.
N / A
(Examples)
Written statement of designated foreign
lawyer or law office, describing such a fact
Written statement describing explanations on
reasons why the qualification of a foreign
lawyer gets lost
Written statement of competent organization,
certifying such a fact
Copy of the transcript describing the court
judgment/decision
Paragraph2A person who has received a
designation under Article 17,
paragraph (1), item (i) of the
Act must submit a document
certifying that they are
actually qualified as a
foreign lawyer concerning
the designation to the
Minister of Justice within
two months after the end of
every two year period from
the date of designation,
except in the case provided
for in the preceding
paragraph.
If you get designation,
you need to submit
certain documents to
the Minister every 2
years from the date of
designation. These
documents are to be
submitted within 2
months after the
expiration of the
2-year period.
Report
(designation-related)
(Examples)
See the "Documents that certifies that the
applicant has qualified as a foreign lawyer and
has still such a qualification" section of Part 4,
"Commentary on supporting documents to be
prepared."
* If you are uncertain, please consult with us.
2. Report (so-called "biennial report")
If you get designation, you need to submit certain documents to the Minister
every 2 years from the date of designation. These documents are to be
submitted within 2 months after expiration of the 2-year period in
accordance with the Regulations.
- 66 -
(1) Document submitted
You need to submit the documents as listed in Paragraph 2 of the "List of
accompanying documents for notification/report in accordance with Article
15 of the Regulations" section.
(2) How to submit documents
The format of report is not officially prescribed, but an appropriate
format for report is available. (Refer to Reference material 2.)
The documents of report are to be submitted basically in the same way as
those of notification.
How to obtain the formats for report provided in Article 15, paragraph (2) of
the Regulations
1. Downloading from the Ministry of Justice’s website
http://www.moj.go.jp/housei/gaiben/housei07_00028.html
https://www.moj.go.jp/EN/housei/gaiben/housei07_00003.html
The following form is available from the URL above.
Reference Form for Approval and Designation (Report under Article 10,
paragraph (2), and Article 15, paragraph (2) of the Regulations)
Report (approval-related) and Report (designation-related) are in
the same format.
2. Visiting the Ministry of Justice’s office to obtain the formats
《 References 》
Act on the Handling of Legal Services by Foreign Lawyers (GJB Act)
(Registration)
Article 25
A person who has the qualification to become a Registered Foreign Lawyer is
required to obtain registration of their name, date of birth, nationality, name of the
Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification, address in Japan, office, name of the Bar
Association to which they belong, and other particulars stipulated by the Articles
of Association of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, in the Roll of
Registered Foreign Lawyers kept by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, in
order to be a Registered Foreign Lawyer.
2 Registration in the Roll of Registered Foreign Lawyers is made by the Japan
Federation of Bar Associations.
Reference material
(2010年3月改訂版)
Reference material 1
Outline of the system of GJB (registered foreign lawyer) and scope
of professional activities
Reference material 2
Reference forms
- 1 -
Reference material 1
Outline of the System of GJB (registered foreign lawyer) and
Scope of Professional Activities
- 2 -
1 Basic Professional activities of GJB
The professional activities of a GJB shall be to provide legal services
concerning the laws of the Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification at the
request of a party or other person concerned, or appointment by a public
agency.
However, GJB shall not provide the following legal services (it is prohibited
to engage in legal services outside the scope of professional duties).
(i) Representation regarding procedures before a court, public prosecutor's
office or other public agency in Japan, or the preparation of documents
to be submitted to any such agency regarding such procedures.
(ii) Activities as a defense counsel in a criminal case or activities as an
attendant in a juvenile protection case or legal assistance in a case in
connection with a request for the examination of extraditability of a
fugitive criminal.
(iii) Giving an expert opinion or other legal opinion regarding the
interpretation or the application of laws other than the laws of the
Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification.
(iv) Services of procedural documents for a court or administrative agency
of a foreign jurisdiction
(v) Representation in asking (a notary public) to prepare a notarized deed
under item (v) of Article 22 of the Civil Execution Act (Act No. 4 of 1979).
(vi) Representation or the preparation of documents (excluding written
expert opinions; hereinafter the same shall apply in this Article)
regarding a legal case whose primary purpose is the acquisition or
relinquishment or amendment of rights concerning real property located
in Japan or of industrial property rights, mining rights or other rights
established by registration thereof with an administrative agency in
Japan or rights related to such rights (hereinafter referred to as
"Industrial Property Rights, etc.")
2 Legal services requiring to provide them jointly with an Attorney at Law
as "Bengoshi" or after receiving written advice from an Attorney at Law as
"Bengoshi"
Even when the legal services are such that a GJB may provide within the
scope of their professional activities under the provisions as mentioned in the
aforementioned 1, they shall be required to provide them jointly with an
- 3 -
Attorney at Law, or after receiving written advice from an Attorney at Law,
regarding the following matters.
(i) Representation or the preparation of documents regarding a legal case
other than a legal case mentioned in item (vi) of the preceding paragraph,
the purpose of which is the acquisition or relinquishment or amendment
of rights concerning real property located in Japan or Industrial Property
Rights, etc.
(ii) Representation or the preparation of documents regarding a legal case
concerning family relations in which a Japanese national is involved as a
party.
(iii) Representation or the preparation of documents regarding a legal case
concerning a will or a gift on donor's death regarding an asset located in
Japan and owned by a person who resides in Japan or a legal case
concerning the division of the estate, or administration of the estate, or
other matters of inheritance regarding an asset located in Japan and
owned by a person who resided in Japan at the time of death, and in
which a Japanese national is involved as a party.
3 Legal services concerning the designated laws
GJB may provide legal services concerning the Designated Laws if they have
been granted such Designation by the Minister and have been granted
supplementary note registration of Designated Laws on the Roll of GJB at
the Japan Federal Bar Association. However, this shall not apply to the legal
services listed as follows, nor to giving or rendering an expert opinion or
otherwise legal opinion regarding the interpretation or the application of
laws other than the Designated Laws.
(i) Representation regarding procedures before a court, public prosecutor's
office or other public agency in Japan, or the preparation of documents
to be submitted to any such agency regarding such procedures.
(ii) Activities as a defense counsel in a criminal case or activities as an
attendant in a juvenile protection case or legal assistance in a case in
connection with a request for the examination of extraditability of a
fugitive criminal.
(iii) Services of procedural documents for a court or administrative agency
of a foreign jurisdiction
(iv) Representation in asking (a notary public) to prepare a notarized deed
- 4 -
under item (v) of Article 22 of the Civil Execution Act (Act No. 4 of 1979).
(v) Representation or the preparation of documents (excluding written
expert opinions; hereinafter the same shall apply in this Article)
regarding a legal case whose primary purpose is the acquisition or
relinquishment or amendment of rights concerning real property located
in Japan or of industrial property rights, mining rights or other rights
established by registration thereof with an administrative agency in
Japan or rights related to such rights (hereinafter referred to as
"Industrial Property Rights, etc.")
Regarding Legal services concerning the Designated Laws, GJB shall be
required to provide them jointly with an Attorney at Law, or after receiving
written advice from an Attorney at Law, in the same cases as the
aforementioned 2.
4 Legal services concerning the Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction
other than the legal services concerning the Designated Law (so-called "third
jurisdiction law")
GJB may provide legal services concerning the Laws of a Specified Foreign
Jurisdiction other than legal services concerning the Designated Laws
(so-called "third jurisdiction laws"), if they do so according to a written advice
received from any of the persons listed as follows.
However, GJB shall not provide the legal services listed in the
aforementioned 3, nor shall you give or render an expert opinion or otherwise
legal opinion regarding the interpretation or the application of laws other
than the Laws of the Specified Foreign Jurisdiction.
(i) Foreign lawyer
a person who is a foreign lawyer in the Specified Foreign Jurisdiction
to which the said Laws of the Specified Foreign Jurisdiction pertain
(excluding a person who is a GJB) and is engaged in practice
providing legal services concerning the Laws of the Specified Foreign
Jurisdiction on the basis of the qualification to become a foreign
lawyer.
(ii) GJB
- 5 -
a person who is a GJB and for whom the Laws of the Jurisdiction of
Primary Qualification or the Designated Laws are the Laws of the
Specified Foreign Jurisdiction.
(iii) Registered Foreign Lawyer Corporation
a registered foreign lawyer corporation (limited to when its member
for whom the Laws of the Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification or
Designated Laws are the Laws of the Specified Foreign Jurisdiction
performs the practice).
(iv) Joint Corporation
an attorney at law / registered foreign lawyer joint corporation
(limited to when its member who is a registered foreign lawyer for
whom the Laws of the Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification or
Designated Laws are the Laws of the Specified Foreign Jurisdiction
performs the practice).
Regarding legal services concerning the Designated Laws, GJB shall be
required to provide them jointly with an Attorney at Law, or after receiving
written advice from an Attorney at Law, in the same cases as the
aforementioned 2.
5 Representation regarding the procedures for an international arbitration
case and an international mediation case
GJB may, notwithstanding 1 to 4 above, perform representation regarding
the procedures for an international arbitration case and international
mediation case under the provisions of GJB Act.
(i) International arbitration case (Article 2, item (xiv) of the GJB Act)
a civil arbitration case which falls under any of the following cases:
(a) some or all of the parties are persons who have an address, or a main
or head office in a foreign jurisdiction (including cases in which persons
who hold more than fifty percent of the number of issued shares
(limited to voting shares) in some or all of the parties, or more than fifty
percent of the equity in some or all of the parties, or persons specified
by Ministry of Justice Order as equivalent to those persons, are the
persons who have an address, or a main or head office in a foreign
jurisdiction).
- 6 -
(b) the law which the arbitral tribunal should comply with in making an
arbitral award (limited to the law as provided by the agreement of
relevant parties) is not Japanese law.
(c) the place of arbitration is in a country other than Japan.
(ii) international mediation case (Article 2, item (xv) of the GJB Act)
a civil mediation case (including civil conciliation cases; and limited to
cases on disputes relating to civil contracts or transactions in which all
of the parties are corporations, other associations or foundations, or
individuals who have become parties to those civil contracts or
transactions as a business or for a business) which falls under any of
the following cases:
(a) some or all of the parties are persons who have an address, or a main
or head office in a foreign jurisdiction (including cases in which persons
who hold more than fifty percent of the number of issued shares
(limited to voting shares) in some or all of the parties, or more than fifty
percent of the equity in some or all of the parties, or persons specified
by Ministry of Justice Order as equivalent to those persons, are the
persons who have an address, or a main or head office in a foreign
jurisdiction).
(b) the law which is to apply to the formation and effect of a claim
arising from a dispute relating to a civil contract or transaction (limited
to the applicable law specified by agreement of the parties) is not
Japanese law.
 Prohibited
(Note)
Legal services concerning the Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction other than the legal services concerning the Designated Law
(in principle, GJBs are prohibited from providing these services.)
Legal services concerning Designated Law
(i) representation regarding procedures
before a court, public prosecutor's
office or other public agency in Japan,
or the preparation of documents to be
submitted to any such agency regarding
such procedures.
Even if you satisfy the requirements on
the right, you may not provide the
following services.
(v) representation in asking (a notary
public) to prepare a notarized deed
under item (v) of Article 22 of the Civil
Execution Act (Act No. 4 of 1979).
Even if you satisfy the requirements on
the left, you may not provide the
following services.
(ii) activities as a defense counsel in a
criminal case, or activities as an
attendant in a juvenile protection case
or legal assistance in a case in
connection with a request for the
examination of extraditability of a
fugitive criminal.
Even when the legal services are such
that a GJB may provide within the
scope of their professional activities,
they shall be required to provide them
jointly with an attorney at law, or after
receiving written advice from an
attorney at law, regarding the legal
services.
Type of legal services are the same as
those on the above column.
(iv) Joint Corporation :
an attorney at law / registered foreign lawyer joint
corporation (limited to when its member who is a registered
foreign lawyer for whom the laws of the jurisdiction of
primary qualification or designated laws are the laws of the
specified foreign jurisdiction performs the practice).
《Exceptionally, GJB may provide the following legal services
if they satisfy the statutory requirements.》
GJB may provide legal services concerning the laws of a
Specified Foreign Jurisdiction other than legal services
concerning the Designated Laws (this shall mean legal
services regarding a legal case all or a major part to which
the laws of the Specified Foreign Jurisdiction (so-called
"third jurisdiction laws") apply or should be applied, if they
do so according to a written advice received from any of the
persons listed as follows;
(i) foreign lawyer :
a person who is a foreign lawyer in the Specified Foreign
Jurisdiction to which the laws of the specified foreign
jurisdiction pertain (excluding a person who is a GJB) and is
engaged in practice providing legal services concerning the
laws of the Specified Foreign Jurisdiction on the basis of the
qualification to become a foreign lawyer (excluding a person
who is employed and is providing services in Japan, based on
his/her knowledge concerning foreign laws).
(ii) GJB :
a person who is a GJB and for whom the laws of the
Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification or the Designated Laws
are the laws of the Specified Foreign Jurisdiction.
(iii) registered foreign lawyer corporation :
a registered foreign lawyer corporation (limited to when its
member for whom the laws of the jurisdiction of primary
qualification or designated laws are the laws of the specified
foreign jurisdiction performs the practice).
The professional activities of a registered foreign lawyer (Prohibition against handling legal services outside the scope of
professional duties)
(v) representation or the preparation of
documents (excluding written expert
opinions; hereinafter the same shall
apply in this Article) regarding a legal
case whose primary purpose is the
acquisition or relinquishment or
amendment of rights concerning real
property located in Japan or of
industrial property rights, mining rights
or other rights established by
registration thereof with an
administrative agency in Japan or rights
related to such rights (hereinafter
referred to as "Industrial Property
Rights, etc.")
(vi) representation or the preparation
of documents (excluding written expert
opinions; hereinafter the same shall
apply in this Article) regarding a legal
case whose primary purpose is the
acquisition or relinquishment or
amendment of rights concerning real
property located in Japan or of
industrial property rights, mining rights
or other rights established by
registration thereof with an
administrative agency in Japan or rights
related to such rights (hereinafter
referred to as "Industrial Property
Rights, etc.")
(v) representation or the preparation of
documents (excluding written expert
opinions; hereinafter the same shall apply in
this Article) regarding a legal case whose
primary purpose is the acquisition or
relinquishment or amendment of rights
concerning real property located in Japan
or of industrial property rights, mining rights
or other rights established by registration
thereof with an administrative agency in
Japan or rights related to such rights
(hereinafter referred to as "Industrial
Property Rights, etc.")
Legal services concerning the Japanese law
Legal services concerning the laws of the jurisdiction of primary
qualification
《Exception》
GJB may provide
legal services
concerning the
designated laws if
they have been
granted such
designation by the
Minister of Justice
and have been
granted the
supplementary note
registration of
designated laws by
the Japan Federal
Bar Association.
(Note)
GJB may provide representation in international arbitration cases and
international mediation cases within certain scope (Refer to Reference
Material 1).
(iii) giving an expert opinion or other
legal opinion regarding the
interpretation or the application of laws
other than the laws of the jurisdiction
of primary qualification.
(iv) services of procedural documents
for a court or administrative agency of
a foreign jurisdiction
(iii) services of procedural documents
for a court or administrative agency of
a foreign jurisdiction
(ii) activities as a defense counsel in a
criminal case, or activities as an
attendant in a juvenile protection case
or legal assistance in a case in
connection with a request for the
examination of extraditability of a
fugitive criminal.
(iii) services of procedural documents
for a court or administrative agency of
a foreign jurisdiction
(iv) representation in asking (a notary
public) to prepare a notarized deed
under item (v) of Article 22 of the Civil
Execution Act (Act No. 4 of 1979).
(i) representation regarding procedures
before a court, public prosecutor's
office or other public agency in Japan,
or the preparation of documents to be
submitted to any such agency regarding
such procedures.
Laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction; this shall mean the laws which are or were
in effect in a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction.
Designated Laws; this shall mean the laws of a Specified Foreign Jurisdiction as to which a
person who has obtained approval by Minister of Justice is designated under the Act.
Even when a GJB may provide legal
services concerning the laws of a
Specified Foreign Jurisdiction other
than legal services concerning the
Designated Laws, they shall be required
to provide them jointly with an attorney
at law, or after receiving written advice
from an attorney at law, regarding the
legal services.
Type of legal services are the same as
those on the right column.
Even when the legal services are such
that a GJB may provide within the
scope of their professional duties, they
shall be required to provide them jointly
with an attorney at law, or after
receiving written advice from an
attorney at law, regarding the following
matters;
(ii) representation or the preparation of
documents regarding a legal case
concerning family relations in which a
Japanese national is involved as a
party.
《Exception》
GJB shall not provide the following legal
services
《Principle》
The professional activities of a GJB shall be to provide legal
services concerning the laws of the Jurisdiction of Primary
Qualification at the request of a party or other person
concerned, or appointment by a public agency
(ii) activities as a defense counsel in a
criminal case, or activities as an
attendant in a juvenile protection case
or legal assistance in a case in
connection with a request for the
examination of extraditability of a
fugitive criminal.
(iv) representation in asking (a notary
public) to prepare a notarized deed
under item (v) of Article 22 of the Civil
Execution Act (Act No. 4 of 1979).
(i) representation regarding procedures
before a court, public prosecutor's
office or other public agency in Japan,
or the preparation of documents to be
submitted to any such agency regarding
such procedures.
Laws of the Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification; this shall mean the laws which
are or were in effect in the Jurisdiction of Primary Qualification.
(i) representation or the preparation of
documents regarding a legal case other
than a legal case mentioned in item (vi)
of the right column of 《Exception》, the
purpose of which is the acquisition or
relinquishment or amendment of rights
concerning real property located in
Japan or Industrial Property Rights, etc.
(iii) representation or the preparation
of documents regarding a legal case
concerning a will or a gift on donor's
death regarding an asset located in
Japan and owned by a person who
resides in Japan or a legal case
concerning the division of the estate, or
administration of the estate, or other
matters of inheritance regarding an
asset located in Japan and owned by a
person who resided in Japan at the time
of death, and in which a Japanese
national is involved as a party.
Advice in writing
Advice in writing
Reference material 2
Reference forms
Reference Form for application
Reference Form 1-1: Documents certifying professional experience
Reference Form 1-2: Documents certifying professional experience
(provision of services in Japan)
Reference Form 2: Statement on provision of services in Japan
Reference Form 3: Statement on past registration (for persons
making a reapplication)
Reference Form 4: Business plan (cases where you plan to have an
independent practice)
Reference Form 5: Business plan (cases where you plan to have an
independent practice with support from a law firm in your home
jurisdiction)
Reference Form 6: Statement on automatic renewal of lease contract
Reference Form 7: Statement on securing a residence
Reference Form 8: Statement on the purchase of insurance
Reference Form 9: Power of attorney
Reference Form for notification/report
Reference Form (Notification under Article 10, paragraph (1) of the
Regulations)
Reference Form for Approval and Designation (Report under Article
10, paragraph (2), and Article 15, paragraph (2) of the Regulations)
Declaration of Professional and Financial Status
Reference Form 1-1
To: Minister of Justice
With regard to the professional experience of Mr./Ms. xx, I, xx (name), xx
(position) at xx office located in xx, verify the following:
Mr./Ms. xx worked as xx (position in the workplace) at xx office located in xx for
the period between (date) and (date), and provided legal services such as xx and xx
(contents of the legal services) in the fields of xx and xx in accordance with the laws of
xxxx (jurisdiction).
(Date)
xxxx (Name in
Print)
Reference Form 1-2
To: Minister of Justice
With regard to the professional experience of Mr./Ms. xx, I, xx (name), xx
(position) at xx registered foreign lawyer firm (xx law firm, xx legal professional
corporation, xx registered foreign lawyer corporation, or xx attorney at law / registered
foreign lawyer joint corporation) located in xx, verify the following:
Mr./Ms. xx worked as xx (position in the workplace) at xx registered foreign lawyer
firm (xx law firm, xx legal professional corporation, xx registered foreign lawyer
corporation or xx attorney at law / registered foreign lawyer corporation) located in xx
for the period between (date) and (date), and provided services to the registered foreign
lawyer (attorney at law, legal professional corporation, registered foreign lawyer
corporation, or xx attorney at law / registered foreign lawyer corporation) as his/her
employer in the fields of xx and xx in accordance with the laws of xxxx (jurisdiction).
During the period above, Mr./Ms. xx did not provide legal services to clients.
(Date)
xxxx (Name in
Print)
Reference Form 2
Statement on provision of services in Japan
To: Minister of Justice
I worked at xx registered foreign lawyer firm (xx law firm, xx legal professional
corporation, xx registered foreign lawyer corporation, or xx attorney at law / registered
foreign lawyer corporation) for the periods between (date) and (date), and between
(date) and (date).
During the periods above, I provided services to the registered foreign lawyer
(attorney at law, legal professional corporation, registered foreign lawyer corporation, or
xx attorney at law / registered foreign lawyer corporation) as my employer at the firm
based on my knowledge of the laws of xxxx (jurisdiction), and did not provide legal
services to clients.
(Date)
xxxx (Name in
Print)
Reference Form 3
Statement on past registration
To: Minister of Justice
I carried out activities as a registered foreign lawyer registered on the roll of
registered foreign lawyers for the period between (date) and (date).
As a document certifying such fact, I submit a "Notice to cancel registration from
the registered foreign lawyer list" as of (date), as attached.
(Date)
xxxx (Name in
Print)
* Cases where you plan to have an independent practice Reference Form 4
Business plan
1 Fields of activities
(e.g.) I will provide xx with legal services related to the xx Act for cases in the
fields of xx and xx to the extent that Article 3 of the Act on the Handling of
Legal Services by Foreign Lawyers allows.
2 Scheduled period of activities
(e.g. 1) From (date) to (date)
(e.g. 2) No specific period
3 Location of the firm
(e.g.) x-x-x, xx-machi, xx-ku, Tokyo xxx-xxxx (zip code)
4 (Planned) Name of the firm
(e.g.) xx registered foreign lawyer firm
5 Structure of the firm
(e.g.) At present, there is no plan to employ any attorney at law or registered
foreign lawyer and business will be started only by the registered foreign
lawyer (applicant). There is a plan to recruit a clerk several months later.
6 Management plan of the firm
(e.g.) I have prepared about xxx thousand yen as my own resources. For any
period when the costs are expected to exceed the revenue, such resources
will be applied. I have also prepared xxx thousand yen deposited in xx as
my own additional resources just in case, although business will be in the
black after a certain period. I consider that the costs required until business
becomes stable can be sufficiently covered by these resources.
Costs to establish the firm: Approx. xxx thousand yen
Estimated monthly costs to operate the firm:
Total costs Approx. xxx thousand yen
(Breakdown)
Office rent Approx. xxx thousand yen
Other costs (including bar association fee) Approx. xxx thousand yen
(Date)
xxxx (Name in
Print)
Reference Form 5
Cases where you plan to have an independent practice with support from a law firm in
your home jurisdiction
Business plan
1 Fields of activities
(e.g.) I will provide xx with legal services related to the xx Act for cases in the fields
of xx and xx to the extent that Article 3 of the Act on the Handling of Legal
Services by Foreign Lawyers allows.
2 Scheduled period of activities
(e.g. 1) From (date) to (date)
(e.g. 2) No specific period
3 Location of the firm
(e.g.) x-x-x, xx-machi, xx-ku, Tokyo xxx-xxxx (zip code)
4 (Planned) Name of the firm
(e.g.) xx registered foreign lawyer firm
5 Structure of the firm
(e.g.) (1) Members of the firm (excluding you)
xxxx registered foreign lawyer (partner)
xxxx registered foreign lawyer (partner)
xxxx registered foreign lawyer (employed associate)
xxxx foreign lawyer (employed associate)
(or the number of foreign lawyers to be employed: )
xxxx attorney at law (employed associate)
(or the number of Bengoshi to be employed: )
(2) Clerks Plan to employ several clerks
6 Management plan of the firm
(e.g.) The following costs, including costs to establish xx registered foreign lawyer
firm, will be covered by resources provided by xx (name of the business entity
you belong to) for one year after the establishment. It can be considered that
the operation costs of xx registered foreign lawyer firm and other costs will
be sufficiently covered by registered foreign lawyers belonging to the firm
within one year after the establishment. If the remuneration from activities
carried out by registered foreign lawyers belonging to the firm is not sufficient
to cover the costs, such costs will be covered by resources provided by xx
(name of the business entity you belong to).
Costs to establish the firm: Approx. xxx thousand yen
Estimated monthly costs to operate the firm:
Total costs Approx. xxx thousand yen
(Breakdown)
Office rent Approx. xxx thousand yen
Other costs (personnel cost, bar association fee) Approx. xxx thousand yen
Reference Form 5
Cases where you plan to have an independent practice with support from a law firm in
your home jurisdiction
7 Foreign law firm (business entity) to which the applicant belongs
(e.g.) Name: xx
Address: x-x-x, xx City, xx State, xx
8 Responsibilities for the provision of legal services
(e.g.) Each registered foreign lawyer is responsible for the legal services they
provide and for supervisory duties of the other members at xx registered
foreign lawyer firm. If the other members are foreign lawyers who have not
obtained approval as a registered foreign lawyer, each registered foreign
lawyer shall be responsible for the management of services provided by such
foreign lawyers.
(Date)
xxxx (Name in
Print)
Reference Form 6
Statement on automatic renewal of lease contract
To: Minister of Justice
With regard to the lease contract for (address of the property) or (name of the
property) that I submitted as a "Document certifying the securing of a residence" at the
time of my application for approval as a registered foreign lawyer, the original contract
period provided is from (date) to (date). However, as specified in paragraph x, Article x
of the contract, the contract is renewed automatically after the original contract period
under the same Article. The current contract period is from (date) to (date). At the time
of such automatic renewal, no contract or other document on renewal has been made to
present.
(Date)
xxxx (Name in
Print)
Reference Form 7
Statement on securing a residence
To: Minister of Justice
I certify that I will make sure to secure a residence for Mr./Ms. xx, who has applied
for approval as a registered foreign lawyer, by entering into a lease contract for a
residence for the applicant and submit a copy of the contract prior to the approval of
the Minister of Justice.
(Date)
xx law firm
(Title)
xxxx (Name in
Print)
Reference Form 8
Statement on the purchase of insurance
To: Minister of Justice
I promise to purchase registered foreign lawyer liability insurance (voluntary-based
xx as provided in the attached brochure) and submit a copy of the insurance policy prior
to the approval as a registered foreign lawyer.
(Date)
xxxx (Name in
Print)
Reference Form 9
委任状
POWER OF ATTORNEY
住所:
(代理人住所)
氏名:
(代理人氏名)
Address:
(代理人住所・英語)
Name:
(代理人氏名・英語)
私は,上記の者を代理人と定め,次の権限を委任します。
I hereby designate the above as my attorney-in-fact with full power and authority to
perform the following:
1 私の外国法事務弁護士承認申請に関する予備審査を含む審査の申出に関する一切の件。
To handle all matters relating to my request for examination, including preliminary
examination, for approval of qualification to become a Registered Foreign Lawyer;and2 上記に関する文書の還付請求及び受領に関する件。
To handle matters relating to requesting and receiving original documents
concerning the above request.
○しろまる○しろまる年○しろまる○しろまる月○しろまる○しろまる日
住所:
(申請者住所)
事務所:
(申請者所属事務所)
氏名:
(申請者氏名)
Address:
(申請者住所・英語)
Office:
(申請者所属事務所・英語)
Name:
(申請者氏名・英語)
法務大臣 殿
下記のとおり、事務所を設け、その名称を定めましたので届け出ます。
事務所の名称 Name of the office
所在の場所 Office location(address)
下記に該当するに至りましたので、添付書類とともに届け出ます。
氏名の変更 (1号) Change in name (item (i))
国籍の変更 (1号) Change in nationality (item (i))
国内の住所の変更 (1号) Change in domestic address (item (i))
事務所の移転 (2号) Office relocation (item (ii))
事務所の名称の変更 (3号) Change in office name (item (iii))
下記に該当するに至りましたので、添付書類とともに届け出ます。
氏名(Name in full /Print)
届出人
Notifying
person
I would like to report that I have come under the following situations with the accompanying documents.
届出書 (承認関係)
Written Notification (approval-related)
外国弁護士による法律事務の取扱い等に関する法律施行規則(以下「規則」という)第10条第1項に基
づき、次のとおり届け出ます。
I hereby notify you of the following matters in accordance with Article 10, paragraph 1 of the "Regulations
for Enforcement of the Act on the Handling of Legal Services by Foreign Lawyers" (hereinafter, referred to as
the "Regulations").
To the Minister of Justice
I would like to notify that I have established and named the office as follows.
事務所の設定(2号及び3号)
established and named the office (items (ii) and (iii))
〒(postcode)
法第12条第1項第2号イからニまでに掲げる者のいずれかに該当するに至ったとき (5号)
損害賠償能力を有することを証明する方法の変更 (4号)
Change in a method to certify that I am able to compensate for damages
依頼者に与えた損害を賠償する能力について重要な変更が生じましたので、添付書類とともに届け
出ます。
As there takes place a significant change in my ability to compensate my clients for damages, I would like to notify
the following fact with the accompanying documents.
I would like to report that I have come under the following situations with the accompanying documents.
施行規則第10条第1項第7号に該当するに至ったとき (7号)
I have come to fall under the provision of Article 10, paragraph (1), item (vii) of the Regulations.
上記の届出に間違いのない旨誓約します。
I hereby swear that the aforementioned statements are true and correct.
I have lost the qualification to become a foreign lawyer in the jurisdiction of
primary qualification.
原資格国の外国弁護士となる資格を失ったとき (6号)
I have come to fall under any of the provisions of Article 12, paragraph (1), item (ii), (a) through (d) of the Act.
証明する書類は、
別添のとおり
Certificates are as
attached.
証明する書類は、
別添のとおり
Certificates are as
attached.
証明する書類は、
別添のとおり
Certificates are as
法務大臣 殿
To the Minister of Justice
1 原資格国法等
Law of the jurisdiction of primary qualification, etc.
原資格国法 Law of the jurisdiction of primary qualification
年 Years
2 提出書類 Documents submitted
原資格国の外国弁護士となる資格を現に保有していることを証する書類
Document certifying that I am actually qualified as a foreign lawyer of the jurisdiction of primary qualification
業務及び財産の状況に関する申告書
Written statement on the status of practice and assets
法第12条第1項第2号イからニまでに掲げる者でないことを誓約する書面
法務大臣 殿
To the Minister of Justice
1 指定法等 Designated law, etc.
指定法 Designated law
年 Years
2 提出書類 Documents submitted
指定に係る外国弁護士となる資格を現に保有していることを証する書類
Designation number
経過年数
Document certifying that I actually have a qualification as a foreign lawyer concerning the law designated by the
Minister
Report (designation-related)
Sworn Statement in which I swear that I do not fall under any of the items of Article 7 of the Attorneys Act (except
item (ii)) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 10 of the Act
氏名(Name in full /Print)
法第10条において準用する弁護士法第7条各号(第2号を除く。)に掲げる者でないことを誓約する書面
外国弁護士による法律事務の取扱い等に関する法律施行規則第15条第2項の規定に基づき、次のと
おり届け出ます。
指定番号
報告書(承認関係)
Report (approval-related)
報告書(指定関係)
The number of years that have passed over
Sworn Statement in which I swear that I do not fall under any of the provisions of Article 12, paragraph (1), item (ii),
(a) through (d) of the Act
I hereby report to you by submitting the following documents in accordance with Article 10, paragraph (2) of the
"Regulations for Enforcement of the Act on the Handling of Legal Services by Foreign Lawyers."
承認番号
Approval number
登録番号 経過年数
外国弁護士による法律事務の取扱い等に関する法律施行規則第10条第2項に基づき、次の書類を提
出して報告します。
届出人
Notifying
person
The number of years that have passed
上記の届出に間違いのない旨誓約します。
I hereby swear that the aforementioned statements are true and correct.
I hereby give notification as follows in accordance with Article 15, paragraph 2 of the "Regulations for Enforcement
of the Act on the Handling of Legal Services by Foreign Lawyers."
Registration number
証明する書類は、別添のとおり
Certificates are as attached.
証明する書類は、別添のとおり
Certificates are as attached.
Declaration of Professional and Financial Status
1 Outline of past professional activities (areas of practice and other activities)
M&A Finance Commercial Transactions
Intellectual Properties/Patents
Others (Please fill in the details below)
2 Areas of practice in the future and planned period of activities
(1) Areas of practice in the future
Same as past professional activities M&A Finance
Commercial transactions Intellectual Properties/Patents
Others (Please fill in the details below)
(2) Planned period of activities
Less than 2 years 2 years - Less than 4 years
Over 4 years Yet to be decided
3 Financial infrastructure of the firm you belong to; Other matters
(1) Financial infrastructure of the firm you belong to
There is no problem
There is a problem (Please fill in the details below)
【Details (only required if your answer is "Others")】
【Details (only required if your answer is "Others")】
【Details of the problem (only required if your answer is "There is a problem"】
(2) Have you ever been claimed for damages from any of your clients due to your activities as a
registered foreign lawyer?NoYes (Please fill in the details below)
4 Do you belong to any foreign law firm at present? (Here, "foreign" refers to "any countries
other than Japan")NoYes (Please fill in the name and location below)NameLocation
My declaration is as stated above and I hereby swear that its substance is true and correct.
Declarant (Registered foreign lawyer)
Full Name (Please Print):
I certify that the information regarding the firm that has been given in the above declaration is
true and correct.
Firm Representative
Full Name (Please Print):
【Details (only required if your answer is "Yes")】
Registered Foreign Lawyer Section,
Examination and Supervision Division,
Judicial System Department,
Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Justice
〒100 - 8977
1-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ward, Tokyo, Japan 100-8977
(+81)3-3580-4111 (ext.2374)
As of November 2022