A Journey of Progress and Challenges Amidst Shifting Landscapes and Evolving Needs

A Story of Reforms and Challenges

The legal landscape in Japan has undergone significant transformations over the past two decades, particularly in the realm of legal education. In response to concerns about the difficulty of the bar exam and its emphasis on rote memorization, a new system was implemented in 2004. This reform aimed to diversify the student body, incorporate practical skills into the curriculum, and address the uneven distribution of legal professionals across different regions and fields.

Initially, the new system enjoyed widespread popularity, fueled by the expectation of a 70-80% bar exam pass rate. However, the proliferation of law schools (74 in total) led to disparities in quality and a significantly lower pass rate, ultimately hovering around 20-30%. This decline, coupled with the introduction of a preliminary examination program for financially disadvantaged individuals, resulted in a sharp decrease in law school applicants.

Many schools, particularly in rural areas, were forced to close due to dwindling enrollment. The remaining schools, facing their own viability concerns, shifted their focus towards maximizing bar exam pass rates. This shift led to a curriculum resembling that of "cram schools," sacrificing diverse education for test preparation.

In 2020, the government implemented further reforms to address the declining number of bar exam candidates. These reforms aimed to reduce the financial and time burdens on students by introducing a "law track" that allows them to graduate from a university faculty of law in three years and then proceed to law school. Additionally, a system was implemented that allows students to take the bar exam while still in school, creating a pathway to becoming legal professionals in six years.

However, concerns remain that these reforms might further exacerbate the trend towards test-focused education. Many law schools have revised their curricula to focus on programs designed to cram the tested material before the July bar exam.

Despite these challenges, a positive development has emerged among students. After taking the bar exam, more students are engaging in activities such as meeting with criminal suspects alongside faculty members and providing legal advice to the public. This shift towards practical experience and community engagement highlights the importance of communication skills and the desire to help the socially disadvantaged.

This trend towards a more holistic legal education is encouraging and should be supported by law schools. Additionally, addressing the uneven distribution of legal services across different fields and regions remains a crucial challenge. Schools that regain their unique educational approaches could play a vital role in making legal services, and by extension the law, more accessible to all.