An Overview of the Japanese Legal System

Trade between the United States and Japan is growing at such a rapid pace that it is incumbent on those involved in private international law to be well-versed in the Japanese legal system. This Article is inteded to be of service to one weeking an overview of that system. The basic lesson for the reader is that the legal system is that the legal system of Japan differs significantly from that of the United States. This difference arises from disparate views of Americans and Japanese as to the fundamental purpose of a legal system.

Upon reflection, it is perhaps not surprising that Americans and Japanese perceive the purpose to be so different