P.M. Briefing : Japan Rejects Foreign Lawyers

TOKYO — Japan has rejected U.S. demands to allow more foreign lawyers to practice here, a Justice Ministry official told reporters today.

He was speaking at the end of two days of talks between U.S. government representatives and officials from Japan’s justice and foreign ministries.

Japan rejected U.S. requests to allow foreign lawyers to employ or form partnerships with Japanese lawyers in Japan, the official said.

“It would be difficult for U.S. lawyers to employ or enter into partnerships with Japanese lawyers because the two countries have very different legal systems,” he said.

Foreign law firms, previously banned from Japan, gained limited entry under a 1987 law allowing them to advise Japanese clients. But the law banned them from practicing Japanese law and employing or forming partnerships with Japanese lawyers.