Free legal consultation service expanding for Japanese abroad
The initiative was first introduced in China last year and has since been launched in the Philippines and Thailand.
Tokyo, September 6 - Japan's Foreign Ministry is taking steps to expand a support system that offers Japanese nationals and their families abroad, who have been victims of crimes, the opportunity to consult local lawyers at no cost. The program, initially launched in China last year, has now been introduced in the Philippines and Thailand.
The ministry aims to make this service available in more countries, with a particular focus on nations that have experienced numerous incidents and a high volume of consultations. The system was initiated following a tragic incident where a Japanese boy was stabbed to death in Shenzhen, China in September 2024. The bereaved family encountered significant challenges in navigating the legal procedures that differ from those in Japan, prompting the ministry to begin offering Japanese-language lawyer consultations. The program was launched in China in January 2025.
The ministry expects the service to primarily benefit victims of serious crimes such as murder, bodily injury, assault, domestic violence, non-consensual sexual intercourse, and indecent assault. Those seeking assistance can apply through a Japanese diplomatic mission overseas. Upon approval, they will receive guidance from lawyers on submitting victim reports, understanding investigation and trial procedures, and seeking damages and compensation.
The number of consultations is growing, and there is evident demand for this service, as confirmed by a government official.
Written by urgent.news from Nippon.com News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
