While Japanese lawyers overwhelmingly approve of web conferencing in court proceedings, with nearly 90% viewing it positively, a 2023 survey reveals a deep reluctance to engage with the system's other core components. A stark 65.5% of lawyers have never used the new "mints" e-filing system, and 57.6% still rely on physical case files to review records [Source: PR Times].
65.5%
of lawyers have never used the new "mints" e-filing system
57.6%
of lawyers still rely on physical case files to review records
This isn't just a matter of preference; it's a snapshot of the systemic friction in a complex, multi-year transition. With the fully digitized litigation process set to become mandatory for all legal representatives by 2026 [Source: Lexology], the low adoption of essential platforms highlights the significant transitional hurdles of shifting a centuries-old profession online.
Dragging the Courts into the 21st Century
Japan's civil court system, long reliant on paper, in-person appearances, and hanko seals, was so inefficient that the World Bank's "Doing Business 2017" report ranked it a dismal 48th in the "Enforcing Contracts" metric [Source: World Bank Group].
48th
Japan's ranking in "Enforcing Contracts" (World Bank, 2017)
This low ranking, a point of institutional embarrassment for a tech powerhouse, spurred significant reform.
The Diet responded by passing the "Act on the Amendment of the Code of Civil Procedure" (Act No. 48 of 2022) on May 25, 2022, establishing a digital litigation framework for full implementation by 2026 [Sources: Japanese Law Translation, Lexology]; a 2023 law later expanded these principles to bankruptcy proceedings and domestic relations cases [Source: Baker McKenzie].
Hiroshi Shimizu of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations emphasized that digitization's goal extends beyond speed, aiming to make the justice system user-friendly and accessible to the public, not just courts and lawyers [Source: Jiyu to Seigi]. This ambitious reform agenda sets the stage for a fundamental clash between legislative intent and the entrenched daily workflows of legal practitioners, who must now adapt or be left behind.
The Three Pillars of Reform
The digital overhaul, first conceptualized in a 2018 Ministry of Justice report, is built on three interlocking components designed to create an integrated digital workflow from start to finish [Source: Ministry of Justice of Japan]. The Diet codified this vision into law with the 2022 Act on the Amendment of the Code of Civil Procedure, making engagement with this new ecosystem a mandatory shift in practice for all legal professionals, though it remains optional for pro se litigants [Sources: Japanese Law Translation, Hitotsubashi University Repository].
1
E-Filing: The Digital Docket
This mandatory system requires attorneys to electronically submit all documents, from complaints to evidence. Each submission creates an immutable, time-stamped digital docket entry, forming the official record.
2
E-Court: The Remote Courtroom
E-Court eliminates the need for physical appearances and associated travel costs by allowing parties to join preparatory proceedings and oral arguments via web conferences, a critical benefit for litigants located far from court or overseas.
3
E-Case Management: The 24/7 Case File
This platform provides parties and legal teams with continuous, secure online access to the official digital case file, including all filed documents and court orders.
For law firms, this isn't just about adopting three new tools; it's about re-engineering their entire case management workflow around a single, integrated digital ecosystem where every action, from filing to hearing, is interconnected and recorded.
A User's Guide to "mints": The Unloved E-Filing Platform
Japan's mandatory e-filing platform is the "Civil Court Documents Electronic Submission System," officially nicknamed "mints."
How "mints" Works in Practice
Lawyers register for "mints" using a verified digital ID (e.g., My Number Card, specialized lawyer ID card) which serves as the system's identity verification layer. To initiate a lawsuit, they log in, enter party and dispute details, and create the digital case file.
Complaints and initial evidence are uploaded as PDFs, receiving an official electronic time-stamp upon submission. "mints" then effects formal service of process on opposing counsel, creating a digitally auditable trail of service. Registered attorneys can access the complete record, download filings, and track deadlines through the portal. In practice, this centralizes the critical, and often tedious, tasks of filing and service, shifting the burden of proof of delivery from the law firm's courier to the court's own digital infrastructure.
The New Cost of Justice: Does Digital Really Mean Cheaper?
Digitization shifts, but does not eliminate, litigation costs; it reallocates them.
Significant savings are realized from reduced travel; a 15-minute procedural hearing that once required a full day of travel and thousands of yen in expenses can now occur via Microsoft Teams [Source: Nishimura & Asahi].
However, these savings are offset by new capital expenditures and operational costs related to IT infrastructure. Law firms must now budget for not just Microsoft Teams licenses—the Supreme Court's designated platform [Source: Supreme Court of Japan]—but also secure laptops, enterprise-grade webcams, and dedicated IT support. While statutory filing fees remain unchanged, litigation budgets now reflect a fundamental change in line items, trading travel disbursements for technology investments.
Inside the E-Courtroom: Your Guide to Remote Hearings
Of the three pillars, the remote courtroom has seen the highest rate of adoption, with nearly 90% of lawyers viewing web conferencing positively [Source: PR Times]. The Supreme Court's strategic choice of Microsoft Teams as the official platform lowered the technical barrier to entry for most law firms already using the software for internal operations [Source: Supreme Court of Japan]. This accessibility, combined with immediate and tangible benefits—such as eliminating costly, time-consuming travel for brief procedural hearings—drove rapid uptake [Source: Nishimura & Asahi].
However, the court maintains strict formality, issuing detailed procedural manuals to ensure these remote hearings are not casual video calls but official proceedings governed by the rules of civil procedure. This means that while the venue has changed, the professional obligations and standards of conduct have not; lawyers must treat a Teams hearing with the same procedural rigor as an appearance in a physical courtroom, from formal attire to the rules of evidence.
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Scott Wolfe
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