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History of the JLSC

Background behind the establishment of the JLSC

Structural reform of society and the economy
The shift from an ex ante regulation society to an ex post facto check society

The necessity of reforming the judicial system
Establishing a proper, prompt, reliable, easy to use and accessible judicial system

[ Issues ]

  • Transitioning from an ex ante regulation society to an ex post facto check society
  • Inadequate avenues of receiving consultation that guide the way to proper resolution of disputes
  • Insufficient coordination between the consulting aspect and the actual providing of legal services
  • There are still many regions with no attorneya.
  • Rapid increase in cases where legal aid is needed but are not provided due to economic reasons
  • Difficulty in responding adequately to intensive deliberations of criminal trials, including the introduction of court-appointed counsel system for suspects, and the citizen judge system

Recommendations of the Justice System Reform Council (June 12, 2001)
Plan for Promotion of Justice System Reform (approved by the Cabinet on March 19, 2002)

  • Expansion of civil legal aid
  • Enhancing judicial access points, and the provision of comprehensive legal information through the promotion of networks
  • Development of a public defense system for suspects and defendants (create a fair and neutral entity and funnel public funds into it).

Summary of comment by Prime Minister Koizumi, July 2002 - July 2003 (Advisory Board on the Office for Promotion of Justice System Reform)

  • The judiciary must be within close reach of the people.
  • It is necessary to develop a legal network by establishing points of contact where they can readily receive advice and providing comprehensive legal services where citizens who have legal disputes are able to receive judicial remedy anywhere in Japan.
  • Please swiftly begin the process of investigating how cooperation or coordination of related services with the actual operations of a center to be established as the core of a ?judicial network? should take place.

Comprehensive Legal Support Act enacted (promulgated on June 2, 2004)

Japan Legal Support Center established (April 10, 2006)

Chronology of the JLSC

Year

Month/day

Details
1999 July Establishament of the Justice System Reform Council within the Cabinet.
2001 June Submission of the Recommendations of the Justice System Reform Council to the Cabinet.
December Establishment of the Office for Promotion to Justice System Reform within the Cabinet.
2002 March Cabinet approval of the Plan for Promotion of Justice System Reform.
2004 June The Comprehensive Legal Support Act is promulgated.
2005 September The Minister of Justice nominates Teruko Kanehira to serve as the President.
The logo and the nickname"Houterasu"announced for the Japan Legal Support Center.
2006 10-Apr Japan Legal Support Center established.
28-Apr The mid-term plan is approved by the Minister of Justice.
25-May Statement of Operation Procedures, Rules for the Handling of Legal Affairs, and Contract Concerning Affairs Handled by Court-Appointed Defense Counsel are approved by the Minister of Justice.
2-Oct Bussiness begin.
The succession of rights and obligations from the Japan Legal Aid Association is approved by the Minister of Justice.
2007 10-Jan FAQ on legal systems is published on the Web site.
29-Jan Begin providing information via email.
30-Jan Contact information database for related organizations and groups is published on the Web site.
1-Mar Premier issue of PR magazine published.
19-Mar Changes to Contract Concerning Affairs Handled by Court-Appointed Defense Counsel are approved by the Minister of Justice.
Revisions to the Operations and Services Rules in accordance with Article 2, Paragraph 2 of the Comprehensive Legal Support Act are approved by the Minister of Justice, allowing services to be entrusted by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations and Assistance Fund for Remaining Japanese Orphans in China.
30-Mar Agreements are concluded with trustors (Japan Federation of Bar Associations and Assistance Fund for Remaining Japanese Orphans in China) on services set forth in Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Comprehensive Legal Support Act (entrusted services).

What is the JLSC?