*Last updated on 7 August 2025
In 2020, with the support of my law firm Uryu and Itoga, I completed my registration as a Registered Foreign Attorney or a gaikokuhoujimu bengoshi or gaiben for short in Japan and became a member of the Tokyo Bar Association. But what exactly does it mean to be a Registered Foreign Attorney in Japan? How does a foreign lawyer become one? And, more importantly, what can we registered foreign attorneys do for you?
Unlike in the Philippines where I come from, Japan has a system that allows foreign lawyers to provide legal services concerning the laws of the state in which he or she obtained qualification as a lawyer (the state of primary qualification), laws of a specific state designated by the Minister of Justice (designated laws), or laws of a third state if he or she receives written advice from a foreign lawyer or other qualified persons of such state. Aside from this, a gaiben can also represent parties in international arbitration proceedings in Japan. He or she can also become a partner or an owner in a Japanese law firm, hire Japanese attorneys and other gaiben, put up his or her own law office, and obtain a special gaiben work visa that may allow him or her to live and work in Japan without a sponsor and even sponsor the work visas of others.
Foreign lawyers who wish to be a gaiben must meet the following qualifications:
1. He or she must have a license to practice law, and must be a member in good standing, in another state;
2. He or she must have had engaged in the practice of law for at least three years in his or her state of primary qualification;
3. He or she must not have been subject to any serious disciplinary actions or criminal convictions;
4. He or she must have the ability to live in Japan to perform his or her professional duties as a gaiben;
5. He or she must have the financial capacity to perform his or her professional duties as a gaiben such as payment of membership fees, monthly dues, etc.;
6. He or she must have a professional liability insurance to adequately compensate clients harmed in case of legal malpractice; and
7. He or she must obtain approval from the Minister of Justice, the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (“JFBA”), and the local bar association where he or she intends to work (e.g., Tokyo Bar Association)
Based on JFBA’s website, in which a list of registered foreign attorneys in Japan can be found, there are currently 541 gaibens in Japan (an increase of 11% since 2023). Most of whom are based in Tokyo. Of these 541 gaibens, there are currently 6 registered foreign attorneys who are qualified in the Philippines and 80 qualified in England and Wales, and 125 qualified in New York.
As a gaiben in Tokyo, and a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and the Tokyo Bar Association, I provide support to Japanese individuals and companies engaged in business in the Philippines and Filipinos living in Japan by giving them legal advice involving Philippine law (e.g., mergers & acquisitions, corporate, labor, real estate, and dispute resolution), conducting legal research, and drafting and reviewing contracts, among others. I also assist foreign investors in the formation, maintenance, and dissolution of corporations in the Philippines and help individuals with any of their legal concerns including international couples who wish to have their divorce recognized in the Philippines.
I have also been admitted to the Roll of Solicitors of the Senior Courts of England and Wales and New York State Bar and received my special designation to also practice English law and New York law in Japan.
As a member of Uryu and Itoga, I use my knowledge of Philippine, English law, New York Law, and my English language skills to support our Japanese and other foreign attorneys.
Registered Foreign Attorneys are strictly regulated by the JFBA to ensure that they are qualified and competent to do their work. Moreover, the regulatory system is designed to protect the public from professional misconduct. Dealing with gaiben gives you the peace of mind that you would only be dealing with professionals that have met the stringent standards by the local bar association, JFBA, and the Minister of Justice.
References:
Nichibenren website available at <https://www.nichibenren.or.jp/en/about/judicial_system/gaiben_info.html>
Act on Special Measures concerning the Handling of Legal Services by Foreign Lawyers available at <http://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/law/detail/?id=3516&vm=04&re=01>