Japan Federation of Bar Associations demands court-appointed fee overhaul
- National public defense compensation in Japan has triggered an unprecedented unified pushback as all 52 bar associations across the country issued sequential chairmanship statements demanding an overhaul.
- The baseline remuneration structure for court-appointed counsel has remained largely unchanged since the establishment of the Japan Legal Support Center, known as Houterasu, roughly 20 years ago.
- The crisis hits regional jurisdictions hardest, where the consolidation and closure of detention facilities force defense counsel to travel long distances for client visits and court appearances.
National public defense compensation in Japan has triggered an unprecedented unified pushback as all 52 bar associations across the country issued sequential chairmanship statements demanding an overhaul. The Japan Federation of Bar Associations announced the completion of the nationwide declarations on September 29, 2026, pointing to a roughly two-decade stagnation in basic remuneration that threatens the stability of the entire criminal justice system.
Nationwide Bar Associations Demand Overhaul of Stagnant Compensation
The baseline remuneration structure for court-appointed counsel has remained largely unchanged since the establishment of the Japan Legal Support Center, known as Houterasu, roughly 20 years ago. While the federation has previously established aid systems through its own independent budget, leadership emphasized that these expenses ought to be covered by national funds rather than relying on member dues. The federation formally requested a substantial increase in basic remuneration to match the actual demands of legal practice.
The movement began in December 2025 when the Ibaraki Bar Association released a chairmanship statement calling for reform. By September 2, 2026, all 52 constituent bar associations followed suit. Local declarations warned that the current compensation standards remain at a remarkably low level despite requiring a high degree of specialization, time, and labor.
Severe Attorney Shortages and Travel Burdens in Regional Areas
The crisis hits regional jurisdictions hardest, where the consolidation and closure of detention facilities force defense counsel to travel long distances for client visits and court appearances. During a press conference held on September 30, 2026, Kenji Yoshikawa, acting head of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations’ court-appointed defense headquarters, explained that new registrations in rural areas are declining while aging populations further reduce the pool of available attorneys.
Yoshikawa warned that declining practitioner numbers driven by inadequate compensation are making the operation of the duty attorney system and suspect representation increasingly difficult. The federation plans to use the unanimous stance of all 52 bar associations to appeal broadly to the public for necessary fee increases before the shortage compromises the justice system entirely.