Japan's civil courts have long operated under rules that placed significant procedural burdens on foreign litigants. Paper filings, in-person hearings, and strict document localisation requirements created real friction for international companies pursuing claims or defending against them. Amendments to Japan's civil procedure rules – effective from stages spanning 2023 through 2025 – are now reshaping how disputes are handled before Japanese courts. Companies that delay adjusting their litigation strategy risk missing early procedural deadlines or losing access to newly available digital tools.
Japan's amended civil procedure rules introduce mandatory electronic court filing for designated case categories, expand the use of remote hearings, and revise the formal requirements for submitting a sojo (statement of claim) in civil proceedings. The changes took effect in phases, with the core electronic filing obligations applying from May 2025 onward. International companies with active or anticipated litigation in Japan must verify compliance with the new court filing standards before initiating or responding to proceedings.
This alert sets out what changed, which business categories are affected, and the immediate steps international companies should take now.
What changed and when it takes effect
Japan's civil procedure legislation underwent its most substantial revision in decades. The legislative reform was enacted in 2022 and has been implemented in stages. The first phase introduced optional electronic submission and remote hearing participation. The second and more consequential phase – effective May 2025 – mandates electronic filing for legal professionals appearing before district courts and high courts in designated civil proceedings.
Under the amended rules, procedural documents including the statement of claim, written preparatory submissions, and evidence lists must now be submitted through the designated online court system. Paper filing remains available only in limited circumstances and for self-represented litigants. Courts are also empowered to conduct preparatory proceedings and certain oral argument sessions remotely, reducing – but not eliminating – the need for in-person appearances.
The rules governing karishobun (interim injunction) applications have also been updated. Procedural timelines for injunction hearings have been standardised, and electronic submission of supporting materials is now expected. For companies seeking urgent relief, this means the supporting documentation must be prepared in a format compatible with the court's digital system from the outset.
Judgment enforcement procedures are not directly restructured by the 2025 amendments, but the upstream changes to civil procedure affect how enforcement-related applications are filed and tracked. Practitioners handling judgment enforcement matters in Japan should confirm whether their case type falls within the scope of the electronic mandate.
Who is affected and what the thresholds are
The electronic filing obligation applies primarily to attorneys admitted in Japan who appear in designated civil proceedings before district and high courts. Foreign companies litigating in Japan invariably retain Japanese counsel – which means the obligation flows through to case preparation and document exchange standards that local counsel will need to meet.
The following categories of international business are most directly affected:
- Foreign companies party to commercial disputes before Japanese district courts
- Multinational groups enforcing cross-border contracts against Japanese counterparties
- Foreign investors pursuing or defending shareholder or joint venture disputes
- Companies seeking interim injunctions to protect intellectual property or business assets in Japan
- International creditors pursuing judgment enforcement against assets held in Japan
There is no monetary threshold below which the electronic filing rules do not apply. The determining factor is the court level and the category of proceeding. Summary court proceedings – typically for lower-value claims – remain outside the immediate mandatory scope, but this is expected to change in a later implementation phase.
For a detailed assessment of how these amendments interact with ongoing corporate disputes in Japan, see our corporate disputes practice in Japan.
To discuss how these procedural changes affect your specific litigation position in Japan, contact us at info@ferrazwhitmore.com.
Immediate actions for international companies
Companies with active proceedings or anticipated claims in Japan should act on the following points without delay.
Audit existing proceedings. Confirm with Japanese counsel whether any pending case falls within the mandatory electronic filing categories. Cases that were filed on paper before May 2025 may need to transition to the digital system for subsequent submissions.
Review document preparation workflows. The statement of claim and all preparatory submissions must now be formatted and transmitted in accordance with the court's digital specifications. Coordinate with local counsel early – last-minute reformatting of complex commercial documents carries real risk of procedural error.
Reassess interim injunction strategies. If your company is considering an application for an interim injunction in Japan, the new standardised timelines mean that the full evidentiary package must be ready before the application is filed. A delay in assembling supporting materials can undermine the urgency argument the court requires.
Verify remote hearing eligibility. The amendments allow remote participation in preparatory proceedings. For foreign witnesses or officers who would otherwise need to travel to Japan, confirming eligibility for remote attendance early in the case can reduce cost and logistical exposure significantly.
Confirm judgment enforcement filing requirements. If your company holds an existing Japanese court judgment or a foreign judgment you intend to enforce against Japanese assets. Confirm with local counsel whether any pending enforcement applications are subject to the updated court filing rules.
International companies managing litigation across multiple jurisdictions may also find it useful to review our litigation and arbitration services in Japan for a broader picture of procedural options. For context on how similar amendments have played out in other high-growth jurisdictions, our alert on court procedure changes in the UAE provides a comparative reference point.
About Ferraz & Whitmore
Ferraz & Whitmore is an international law firm based in Lisbon, advising business clients across 46 jurisdictions. Our team combines Portuguese civil law expertise with English common law tradition to deliver cross-border legal solutions in commercial litigation and dispute resolution. Our Asia-Pacific practice supports international companies managing proceedings before Japanese courts, including case preparation under the amended civil procedure rules, interim injunction strategy, and judgment enforcement. Engaging a lawyer in Japan with cross-border experience. and a law firm in Japan with knowledge of both civil and common law systems. makes a measurable difference in how effectively foreign litigants manage procedural complexity. To discuss your litigation position in Japan, contact us at info@ferrazwhitmore.com.
Disclaimer: This publication is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information herein should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel tailored to your specific circumstances. Ferraz & Whitmore assumes no liability for actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this material. For advice regarding your particular situation, please contact info@ferrazwhitmore.com.