Welcome! This guide provides links to a variety of resources available for researching the laws and legal system of Japan. Although it is designed primarily for use by students enrolled in the Spring 2025 ITP Japan course, others interested in learning more about Japan's legal system may also find it helpful.  

Image from https://www.japan.go.jp/

1. Read general information about Japan to familiarize yourself with facts and terminology about country.

2. Consult secondary sources pertaining to Japan and the topic/issue(s) you are researching.

3. Use a research guide (including this one) to familiarize yourself with the sources of law in Japan and where to find national legislation, cases, translations, etc. 

4. Find the sources of law using online and/or print resources.