Explanation of Status of Residence “Legal/Accounting Services” in Japan

Understanding the Status of Residence called “Legal/Accounting Services.”

This status of residence allows foreign nationals in Japan to engage in services related to law or accounting practice. This status is applicable to foreign lawyers, foreign certified public accountants, or individuals with legal qualifications to perform such services.

It encompasses 11 types of qualifications including: attorney at law, judicial scrivener, land and house investigator, foreign lawyer (Note 1), certified public accountant, foreign certified public accountant, certified tax accountant, labor and social security attorney, patent attorney, maritime attorney, and administrative scrivener.

Holding one of these qualifications grants foreign nationals the right to engage in exclusive activities specified by law and qualifies them for this specific status of residence. It is important to note that other qualified specialists, such as “Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants,” do not fall under this category as their services are not considered exclusive activities by law. It is also worth mentioning that not all certified specialists engaging in exclusive activities are eligible for the “Legal/Accounting Services” status. For example, foreign nationals holding qualifications such as “Real Estate Transaction Agent”, or “Real Estate Appraiser” do not qualify for this status, even though their services under these qualifications are considered as legally exclusive.

Relation to Other Statuses of Residence

Relation to “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”

Foreign employees with the above-mentioned qualifications who handle corporate legal affairs for a legal department within a Japanese entity but whose scope of work does not involve exclusive activities defined by law should obtain the status of residence called “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.”

Relation to “Business Manager”

Foreign nationals engaging in business management activities utilizing their knowledge and expertise as an attorney at law or certified public accountant should obtain the status of residence “Business Manager.” However, if they provide business management services exclusively permitted to be performed by an attorney at law or certified public accountant, they need to apply for “Legal/Accounting Services.”

Relation to “Highly Skilled Professional (ii) “

“Highly Skilled Professional” holders are permitted to engage in activities other than their main designated work as part of the preferential treatments of this status.

Those who possess “Highly skilled professional (ii) “are able to engage not only in their main activity, but also more extensive activities in contrast to that of a “Highly skilled professional (i).” HSP(i) holders are limited to business activities relevant to their sponsoring company’s business operations.

“Highly skilled professional (ii) “holders can engage in activities equivalent to those granted under “Legal/Accounting Services” without filing a Change of Status application.

Key Considerations to Note

• The “Legal/Accounting Services” status is solely granted to foreign nationals who are qualified for exclusive business activities under Japanese law. Foreign qualifications similar to the 11 licenses listed above do not qualify for this status. Individuals with foreign qualifications are not allowed to conduct exclusive business in Japan under this status.
• Possession of a qualification certificate or passing a qualification examination does not qualify individuals to apply for the “Legal/Accounting Services” status. Registration with the relevant authorities/institutions is required.