Japanese Law A-Z

There are a wide variety of government and commercial publishers of Japanese court decisions, both in print and online. Listed here are only the most important, easily accessible sources, with a special emphasis on any sources that offer English translations.

The Japanese court system is administered by the Supreme Court of Japan, and includes these courts:

• [Supreme Court] 最高裁判所 | Saikō Saibansho.
• [High Courts] 高等裁判所 | Kōtō Saibansho.
• [District Courts / lower courts] 地方裁判所 / 下級裁判所 | Chihō Saibansho / Kakyū Saibansho.
• [Summary Courts] 簡易裁判所 | Kan’i Saibansho.
• [Family Courts] 家庭裁判所 | Katei Saibansho.
• [Administrative Courts] 行政裁判所 | Gyōsei Saibansho.
• [Intellectual Property Courts] 知的財産裁判所 | Chiteki Zaisan Saibansho.

Major Courts with U.S. Counterparts