Law of Japan

Module 4

Constitutional rights and administrative law: dignity, equality, freedom, property, foreign nationals, administrative procedure, administrative litigation and state redress

The **Constitution of 1946** has a long **bill of rights**, and the courts apply it, though they are careful about **striking down laws**. Rights are guaranteed to **people**, and the Supreme Court has held that **foreign nationals** enjoy them too, **except** those that by their nature belong to **citizens only**, such as the **right to vote**. The second half of this module concerns the **administration**: how officials must **decide**, and how a person can **challenge** a decision, through an **administrative complaint**, an **administrative lawsuit** or a claim for **state redress**. **Time limits** are short and **change by statute**, so they are marked for checking.

General education on the law of Japan, using invented people and businesses. It states laws and procedures in simplified form and is not legal advice. The law and its practice change, and every case turns on its facts and on the authority concerned. It does not offer legal representation or a legal opinion on any case. Consult a Japanese-qualified attorney (bengoshi) for any real matter.