Japan's Ministry of Justice has begun considering the establishment of a study panel—potentially backed by new legislation—to promote "AI legal tech" powered by generative AI. Easing the restriction on "non-lawyer legal practice" under the Attorney Act is the central issue.
Japan · Ministry of Justice
Japan Moves to Loosen Lawyer-Monopoly Rules for AI Legal Tech
The Ministry of Justice is weighing a study panel — and possible new legislation — to clarify Article 72 of the Attorney Act, easing the path for generative-AI tools that draft and review corporate contracts.
76%
of major Japanese firms already used generative AI in legal work (Feb 2026)
72
Attorney Act article under review — the "non-lawyer practice" ban
Jul '26
new guidelines & roadmap due, shaping the law to come
Roadmap to reform
Aug 2023
Guidelines published clarifying the relationship between AI contract support and Article 72.
Jan 2026
Regulatory reform council debates further clarification of AI use under the Act.
Mar 2026
Task force set up under the State Minister of Justice; hearings with bar groups & experts.
~Jul 2026
New guidelines and roadmap to be presented.
Afterward
Move to a full study panel; new legislation under consideration.
Drivers for reform
Shortage of corporate legal staff
Rapid advance of generative AI
A level field vs overseas AI services
Stronger international competitiveness
Concerns to manage
Hallucination — AI output ungrounded in fact
Leaks of confidential information
Need for organizational risk management
The shift in focus
The debate is moving from interpreting statutory text toward building "AI governance."
Interpreting Article 72
→
Organizational arrangements
→
AI governance & risk management
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