Doing Business In... 2023

1. Legal System

1.1 Legal System and Judicial Order

In general, Japan is a civil law jurisdiction. Most of Japan's modern legal systems are based on continental European civil systems; however, the end of World War II also saw the introduction of some Anglo-American legal influences.

Under the Constitution of Japan, judicial power is held by the courts, which are expressly guaranteed as being independent from other branches of the government. The Japanese court system can be broadly categorised into three levels.

• At the first tier, District Courts are the main court of first instance for most cases (please note that Summary Courts may act as the court of first instance for small civil claims and minor criminal offences). This tier also broadly includes Family Courts, which hear family and juvenile delinquency matters. District Courts also act as the first level of appeal for certain Summary Court matters.