JFBA Elderly and Disability Legal Consultation Network (Japan Federation of Bar Associations)

The Japan Federation of Bar Associations (日本弁護士連合会) runs a nationwide network of legal consultation desks for elderly people and people with disabilities through its local bar associations. Every prefecture has a dedicated center staffed by lawyers who focus on the issues these families face, including adult guardianship (成年後見), property management, rights protection, and abuse. For a parent worried about the legal side of a child’s future, especially who will manage decisions and money when you are no longer able to, these centers are a calm, professional place to start, and there is one within reach wherever you live in Japan.

Each local bar association runs its own center, many offer a free short telephone consultation, and most offer longer face-to-face sessions for a set fee, commonly around 5,000 yen for 30 minutes to an hour, with the exact cost and hours varying by prefecture. In Tokyo, the three bar associations share a single telephone consultation line (03-3581-9110), open weekdays from 10am to noon and 1pm to 4pm. For families on a low income, some consultations can be free through the Houterasu civil legal aid system.

Because this is a network rather than a single office, the practical step is to find your prefecture’s center from the list and call to ask about consultation types, cost, and how to book, since some require an appointment and some offer home visits for people who cannot travel to an office. The federation’s head office is in Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda ward, Tokyo, and the consultation centers cover all 47 prefectures. These consultations are conducted in Japanese, so foreign residents will likely want to bring an interpreter.

Note: Separately from these disability and guardianship desks, the JFBA also offers legal counseling for foreign residents and support for anyone who has been arrested, including access to a duty lawyer. Foreign families who need help in those situations can start from the JFBA’s English site rather than the elderly and disability centers.