English-Speaking Immigration Lawyers in Japan [2026 Guide]

As a foreigner residing in Japan, you’ll have to navigate immigration law.

Whether dealing with visa or residence permit issues, there may come a time when you need an immigration lawyer. Because of the complexity of Japanese immigration law and potential language barriers, we’ve listed some of the best English-speaking lawyers and law offices in the largest cities in Japan.

Here are our top immigration lawyer recommendations from Japan, starting with the capital, Tokyo.

The Best English-Speaking Immigration Lawyer Tokyo

If you’re in Tokyo or have easy access to the metropolis, you’ll find a variety of great English-speaking lawyers here. 

Here are some of our recommendations.

Tokyo Kokusai Partners Law Office

Tokyo Kokusai Partners Law Office (TKP Law) was founded in January 2021 by a team of attorneys and paralegals who had already spent years working on foreign and international legal matters.

Their immigration practice covers visa applications, residence status changes and extensions, and procedures for bringing family members over from abroad.

They also take on more complex cases like applications for special residence permission, refugee claims, deportation cancellation lawsuits, and cases involving the revocation of unrecognized refugee status, and can assist with naturalization and nationality acquisition for those looking to become Japanese citizens.

The firm’s team of English-speaking lawyers in Tokyo offers consultations in Japanese and English, and can also communicate in Vietnamese. Enquiries can be made by phone or through the contact form on their English website.

Masayuki Honda International Law Office

Based in the Ebisu area of Shibuya, Masayuki Honda International Law Office has been operating since 2002. Attorney Masayuki Honda founded the firm because he saw that most large international firms only served big corporations at steep prices.

For immigration matters, they assist with visa applications, changes of residence status, permanent residence visas, and special permission to stay. All staff communicate in English, and the firm advertises reasonable pricing.

You can book an appointment by phone, email, or by filling out the inquiry form on their English website. You can even reach out via phone or Skype if you’re not currently in Japan.

Sakura International Law Office

Sakura International Law Office is a smaller firm, established in June 2021, and located in the Kabuto-Cho area of Chuo-ku, Tokyo.

They handle visa-related issues and residence status applications for foreign workers, including renewals of spouse visas and working visas, procedural steps needed when you leave a company, permanent residency applications, and naturalization.

Their website is in English, and you can reach them by filling out the contact form or by phone. Consultations are available in both Japanese and English.

Hiroo Park Law Firm

Hiroo Park Law Firm is a small practice located in Minamiazabu, Minato-ku, one of Tokyo's most international neighborhoods. The firm was established in February 2017 and is led by representative attorney Suhyon Kim alongside two other attorneys.

The firm offers many legal services, including family law, immigration, business and corporate matters, labor law, and even criminal defense. Using a firm that specializes in employment and family law is particularly helpful for foreign residents, as these areas often overlap more than you might expect.

Services are available in English, and you can contact the firm by phone or email to set up a consultation. Initial consultation fees typically range from ¥10,000 to ¥20,000.

A&O Shearman

A&O Shearman runs a Tokyo office as part of its large international network and offers services in English.

The firm is well known for handling big corporate deals, finance matters, and cross-border transactions. It’s not suited for individuals needing basic visa help, but if you represent a major foreign company looking to transfer executives to Japan, A&O Shearman can handle complex immigration and compliance paperwork.

You can learn more about their Japan practice on their official website, or fill out the “contact us” form.

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune is one of Japan's largest and most prestigious full-service law firms, largely focusing on labor and immigration law for international businesses. It’s headquartered in Tokyo, with offices in Osaka and Nagoya, and has English-speaking attorneys.

Like A&O Shearman, this firm is better suited to companies and corporations than individuals when it comes to immigration. Much of their work involves supporting international businesses in bringing foreign employees to Japan.

You can contact their Tokyo office through the detailed inquiry forms on their fully English website.

Davis Polk

Davis Polk is a well-regarded international firm with offices in Tokyo.

It doesn’t typically handle standard individual immigration cases like spouse visas or standard work permits. Instead, their immigration support usually ties into larger corporate deals where international executives or staff need to relocate for business purposes.

So, if you represent a major corporation that needs serious legal counsel on cross-border mobility, they are an excellent choice. You can reach out to them via email or phone.

ACROSEED

ACROSEED positions itself as the leading company in foreigner legal affairs in Japan, with a mission to contribute to the growth of a diverse and globalized society. 

The company specializes in providing foreigners with the necessary legal care to help them stay in the country. So, visa procedures and acquiring citizenship are among their specialties. You can call them directly or message them via the website, which is available in English.

Ocean Law Office

Ocean Law Office is an international law office that aims to “provide legal help to anyone, regardless of nationality.”

Among the law firm’s specialization areas are immigration, family, and criminal law. For immigration specifically, the office provides legal assistance in visa applications, refugee applications, administrative litigation, and special permissions of residence. 

You can call the number on the website or fill out the contact form to request an appointment.

VERYBEST Law Offices

VERYBEST Law Offices is a country-wide operation. With 76 offices, the law firm has over 350 lawyers at your service and provides support in English and Chinese.

VERYBEST has many focus areas, one of which is immigration law. The office provides assistance in permanent residence permit cases, highly skilled worker visa processes, and re-entry permits. It also acts as a defense attorney in international cases. 

You can request an appointment on the website by filling out the contact form or by calling. The initial 30-minute consultation is free of charge.

Setagaya International Law Office

Setagaya International Law Office is an international law-focused law firm that provides services exclusively to foreigners living in Japan. 

Founded by Seiyo Sato, who has international law experience in both his student and professional life, the firm specializes in international family law, immigration law, as well as criminal and labor law.

You can contact the company by phone or by filling out the contact form on their English website. The initial 30-minute consultation is offered completely free of charge. 

Yayoi Law Office

Yayoi Law Office is the collaborative effort of four attorneys, one of whom speaks English.

Noriko Seki became a lawyer in 2006 and has worked in a wide range of legal fields since. She also provides consultations to international citizens and foreign residents on all aspects of immigration law. Ms. Seki even has experience as a defense attorney in international criminal cases.

You can make an appointment by filling out the form on their site, and phone reservations are possible too. In fact, the website explicitly states that emergency appointments should be done on the phone.

Japan Immigration Lawyer Consultation in Osaka

While it may not house as many foreign residents as Tokyo, Osaka remains a popular destination for foreigners living in Japan. You won’t have any difficulty finding an English-speaking lawyer to assist with immigration matters, so here are our top recommendations.

Higashimachi LPC

With nearly a century of legal practice behind them, Higashimachi LPC is a general practice firm with offices in Kobe, Tokyo, Imabari, and Osaka.

While Higashimachi LPC is not an immigration-focused firm, their international commerce and trade team can help if you're a foreign business owner or employee dealing with legal matters that overlap with your residency in Japan.

If you’re looking for an English-speaking lawyer in Osaka, you can consult with foreign lawyers or Japanese attorneys who have studied in the UK and speak English confidently. Reach the Osaka office by phone or email to book a consultation.

Wada Law Firm

Wada Law Firm is a stone’s throw from the courts in Naniwabashi, Osaka, and offers legal consultations in both English and Spanish.

They handle standard visa applications alongside status changes and complex cases involving overstays or visa denials. The firm also takes on general civil cases and family law disputes for expat clients, so you can rely on them for other legal troubles that might pop up during your stay.

You can get in touch by filling out the contact form on their English website.

Ohara & Furukawa Law Office

Operating since 1979, Ohara & Furukawa Law Office in Kita-ku has a reputation to uphold. 

O&F specializes in immigration law services related to visas, naturalization, residence permits, and overstaying, but also offers services in family law, debt collection, intellectual property, corporate law, and even entertainment law. All services are offered in both Japanese and English.

You can make an appointment at Ohara & Furukawa by calling or filling out the form on their website, which is fully available in English. 

Lale Law Office

Lale Law Office is located in Kita-ku and is run by attorney Chiharu Urata, who speaks both English and Japanese. 

While the Lale Law Office’s focus isn’t solely on immigration law, the office provides services on nationality issues and the status of residence alongside other legal services for foreigners in criminal and civil cases. Urata also specializes in drafting English contracts, corporate law, and real estate law.

While the official website isn’t in English, you can call Lale Law Office directly to book an appointment. 

The Best Immigration Lawyer Nagoya

Nagoya, located in the Aichi Prefecture, is another popular destination for foreigners living in Japan, especially for foreign retirees. 

Here are a couple of recommendations for the best English-speaking lawyers in the area.

Wakakusa Law Office

Wakakusa Law Office is a newer firm that opened in Obu City, Aichi Prefecture (where Nagoya City is located), in June 2024. Attorney Tatsuya Kawanishi, a member of the Aichi Bar Association, set up the office specifically to serve foreigners living in the area.

The firm handles visa and residence status matters, including applications to the Immigration Bureau. They also take on international divorce cases, international inheritance disputes, and problems related to foreign workers, such as labor issues or employment disputes.

Consultations are available in English with an English-speaking Japanese lawyer, and remote meetings via Zoom are also available. For more information, reach out through the contact form on their English website.

Nagoya International Law Office

Located in Naka-ku, Nagoya International Law Office is a partnership of four attorneys with international study or work experience. 

The office handles immigration-related cases and provides consultancy for visa and residence permit issues. They also take on international transactions, divorce, and inheritance-related cases. All services are provided in English.

Nagoya International Law Office offers both video and in-person appointments, which you can book through the form or phone number you’ll find on their English website.

Nagoya International Center Free Legal Consultations

This one isn’t a law office but a service offered by the Nagoya City municipality to help make foreign residents’ lives easier. 

If you’re a Tokai region resident, you can fill out a form to request a free legal consultation appointment on the official Nagoya International Center’s website. Alternatively, you can go directly to Nagoya International Center to schedule an appointment in person.

The service is provided by the Aichi Bar Association in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese and covers not only immigration-related topics but other legal issues as well. To guarantee your spot, be sure to make your request at least two weeks in advance of your desired date.

Fukuoka’s Best Immigration Law Offices

Fukuoka is another major Japanese city with a large foreign population, so several English-speaking lawyers can be found in town. Here are a couple of good options.

O.K. International Law Firm (Otsuka Law)

Otsuka Law Firm is an international law firm from Chuo-ku, Fukuoka. The office was founded in 1978 and has since been offering services to foreigners in English, Korean, Chinese and Japanese.

Among the law firm’s specialties are cross-border disputes, immigration law, and Japanese civil and criminal law. In terms of immigration law, the office handles cases related to visas, residence status, and naturalization, and a long list of other services for foreigners are available as well.

Appointments are possible by phone or email, which you can find on their fully English website. 

Mokuren Management Law Office, Norihiro Matsuzaka

Norihiro Matsuzaka is a Japanese and English-speaking attorney from Fukuoka. His office is located in Chuo-ku and offers services to both foreigners and Japanese citizens.

The law office isn’t immigration law-focused, so the official website is sadly not in English. However, if you fill out the contact form on the website or reach out online, they will reply in less than a day (it’s their promise!). 

The office specializes in employment and labor law, transportation law, defamation and libel, and, of course, immigration law. 

The Best Immigration Lawyer in Sapporo 

Sapporo, located in Hokkaido, is the largest city in its prefecture and is another major hotspot for foreigners living in Japan. Here are a couple of good English-speaking law offices in Sapporo that offer services to foreign residents.

Sapporo International Law

Sapporo International Law is a partnership of three accomplished attorneys – a part-time lecturer at Hokkaido University Law School, an experienced English interpreter, and a member of two Sapporo Bar Association Committees.

With a fully English website, the law firm offers legal services to foreigners living in the Sapporo area. Thanks to the varying fields of expertise of the three attorneys running the firm, you can get consultancy on pretty much all things legal.

Their practice areas include contract law, labor law, international disputes, and immigration law cases. You can visit Sapporo International Law for routine immigration cases related to visa and residence status, as well as more serious cases such as deportation and refugee matters.

You can book an appointment via phone or by filling out the contact form on their site.

Awao Law Office

Located in Kita-ku, Awao Law Office is the legal practice of Takeshi Awao. Awao himself speaks English and offers legal services to foreigners about all-things-immigration.

The law office's main practice areas are debt collection, inheritance law, criminal cases, divorce and family law, and corporate law. So, you can get much more out of Awao’s services in addition to consultation about your immigration-related issues.

While the Awao Law Office offers consultations in English, interpreter support for Chinese, Russian, Korean, and any other language is also available upon request. You can contact the office by calling the phone number on the website. 

Oita’s Best Immigration Lawyer Japan: Oita Flower Law Office

Another area that houses a large number of foreign residents is the Oita Prefecture. In its capital, Oita City, the prefecture’s residents have access to the brilliant Oita Flower Law Office.

The office has a fully English website and provides foreign residents with a wide range of legal services entirely in English. Oita Flower Law Office excels at immigration law, but they also practice family, internet, and criminal law, handle traffic accident-related claims, and provide corporate legal services.

You can schedule an appointment via the contact form on the official website or by phone. You can also use the website for a brief written consultation to decide whether you need an appointment in the first place. 

The Best Immigration Lawyer in Okayama: Sakka Law Office

The capital of its namesake prefecture, Okayama City is another desirable destination for foreigners who’d like to experience some of the very “bests” Japan has to offer. 

Naturally, in this “land of the sunshine” (Okayama’s nickname), you’ll also find good lawyers who provide English services in immigration law. One of the best among these is, undoubtedly, Sakka Law Office.

Located in Kita-ku in Okayama City, Sakka Law Office is Mr.Sakka’s (Attorney at Law) legal practice. Sakka himself speaks both Japanese and English, and has experience working abroad. 

Their website has a small English section that includes basic information about the office, where you’ll also find a contact by e-mail button that directs you to a contact form. Alternatively, you can call them or schedule a Skype consultation.

The Best Immigration Lawyer in Yokohama: Saito Immigration Lawyer Office

Run by immigration lawyer Saito Shinichiro since 2011, Saito Immigration Lawyer Office is located in Nishi-ku, Yokohama.

They offer a variety of immigration services, including applications for certificates of eligibility, changes of status of residence, extensions of period of stay, permanent residence, re-entry permits, and permissions for part-time work.

The firm also takes on cases involving people who have fallen out of legal status. This includes applications for special permission to reside in Japan, retrials for special residence permission, departure orders, and special permission for landing.

Consultations are available in English, Japanese, and Indonesian, and you can contact them by phone (domestic and international) or email.

The Best Immigration Lawyers in Okinawa

Yui Law Office

Yui Law Office was founded by Tadakatsu Nakayama in 2005 and is located in Naha City, Okinawa.

Akifumi Matsuzaki joined the firm in 2015, and he’s the lead attorney for English-speaking clients. The firm offers immigration services, specifically with obtaining, renewing, or changing visas.

You can contact the office by email or phone, just make sure to email before calling, as that’s what’s stated on their English website.

Chatan International Law Office

Chatan International Law Office is a full-service international law firm located in American Village in Chatan, Okinawa. Attorney Saori Ikeda runs the firm and speaks fluent English.

She helps foreign investors and business owners with corporate governance, labor relations, taxes, and intellectual property matters like patents or trademarks, and also takes on cases involving divorce, adoptions, child custody, and even international parental child abduction.

You can get in touch with the firm by calling them or using the contact form available on their website.

The Best Immigration Lawyers in Kyoto: Keyaki Law Office

Founded in 1985 by senior partner Yasuhiro Orita and based in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Keyaki Law Office is a well-established firm that offers immigration services for corporate clients.

Specifically, they assist with visas involving foreigners and Japanese living abroad. The firm is listed in English-speaking attorney directories from several consulates, including the US, Australia, and others, for areas that include immigration.

Consultations are available in English, both in person and online through Zoom or Skype, which is convenient if you're not based directly in Kyoto. You can request an appointment through the form on their website.

The Bar Association: Japan Immigration Lawyer Consultation For Foreigners

So far, we’ve covered some local examples of the best law offices and lawyers that provide legal services to foreigners in English. However, there’s an alternative, and it’s a service provided by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA).

You don’t have to be a resident to benefit from the JFBA’s services, so any foreign person can apply for consultation here. Unfortunately, it’s not free, but it is quite affordable. If you can’t afford it, the JFBA even offers free legal consultations upon request. 

The downside of this service is that it’s not nationwide. Currently, legal consultation for foreigners is only available in:

• Tokyo

• Kanagawa

• Saitama

• Aichi

• Osaka

• Fukuoka

Also, keep in mind that while some centers, like the ones in Tokyo, may offer services in English, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese, this might not be the case for all centers, so make sure to call them in advance.

The Alternative: Gyosei-Shoshi (行政書士) Offices

While a lawyer may be necessary in some cases, not all visa or residency-related issues require one. Some people just need a professional to oversee their application processes at government offices.

For this purpose, another alternative to hiring a lawyer might be working with a Gyosei-Shoshi office. A gyosei-shoshi (legal consultant or administrative scriveners) is a certified professional in Japan who can carry out legal procedures, prepare documents for government offices and other documents related to rights, obligations, or fact certification, and provide consultation regarding the preparation of documents. The only thing they can’t do is represent clients in court.

Gyosei-shoshis are often focused on one legal area, such as immigration. So, if all you need is someone who can follow administrative tasks and procedures or provide consultation for your visa process, a gyosei-shoshi can be a good alternative.

In fact, unless you’re in legal trouble with the immigration office and need representation in court, you can use a gyosei-shoshi for all your other immigration-related legal needs, such as:

• Filing visa application documents

• Changing your visa status

• Renewing your visa

• Obtaining a certificate of eligibility

• Applying for permanent residence 

Our Gyosei-Shoshi Recommendations

While we’re at it, let’s go ahead and introduce a few good gyosei-shoshi offices that focus on immigration and naturalization.

Samurai Immigration Law Firm

Samurai Immigration Law Firm specializes in visa applications and immigration services for foreigners in Japan.

Established by Kentaro Kojima in 2009 as a private immigration law office and incorporated in 2012, the firm now has offices in Tokyo's Ueno and Shinjuku, as well as Yokohama, Omiya, Chiba, Nagoya, and Osaka.

They offer a wide range of immigration services, from work visas and residency status changes to business management visas, permanent residency, and naturalization. They also help companies figure out the legal side of hiring foreign nationals.

Every year, they handle over 1,000 consultations, so they’ve seen just about every situation you can imagine.

Consultations are free, but you’ll need to book an appointment beforehand. You can either call their dedicated English-language phone line or fill out the inquiry form on their website.

Minori Legal Counseling Office

Minori Legal Consulting Office located in Tokyo has ten years of experience in its field. With a completely English website, the office provides assistance in visa and immigration procedures, citizenship applications, and matters related to starting a business in Japan. You can call or fill out the contact form to book an appointment.

Watabe Immigration Law Office

Watabe Immigration Law Office (BEYOND) is another excellent immigration-focused gyosei-shousi office. The office provides visa, citizenship, and document translation services in addition to marriage and divorce registration. You can book an appointment via phone call or by filling out the contact form on their site. 

Legal Office Cosmopolitan

Located in Shibuya, Legal Office Cosmopolitan provides a wide range of legal services for citizens and foreign residents. 

The company’s areas of expertise include corporate visas, work visas, naturalization and citizenship procedures, and visa procedures. The company website has an English version where you’ll find a contact form to make an appointment.

Akazawa Office

Akazawa Office offers Japanese visa and immigration services in Minato-ku, Tokyo. The owner of the office has experience studying and working abroad and has dealt with thousands of immigration applications so far, so you’ll be in good hands here.

Among the services provided at Akazawa Office are work-based statuses and visas, issues regarding the highly skilled professional system, residency, and naturalization.

Administrative Attorney Noriko Akazawa accepts clients by appointment, and the initial written consultation is free of charge. All you need to do is fill out the form on the office’s website, which is fully available in English.

In Control Legal Support Services

Located in Minato-ku, In Control Legal Support Services provides specialized services to foreign enterprises seeking to open a business in Japan and individuals looking to live and work in the country.

The firm offers visa-related services, focusing on corporate visas such as investor visas, engineer visas, and intra-company transferee visas, as well as corporate law for international businesses and international inheritance law. The company website is available in English, and you can call or email to make an appointment.

Oak Admin Office

Oak Admin Office is located in Meguro-ku and specializes in international legal consultancy for both personal and corporate matters.

Their services include visa and naturalization services, consultation for the highly skilled worker visa, support in obtaining a certificate of eligibility, and guidance in acquiring business licenses and permits for foreigners. 

You can book an appointment via phone or using the form on their detailed and fully English website.

In addition to the recommendations above, you can also receive a Gyosei service from the Japan Federation of Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialists Associations, but it requires some Japanese knowledge. Each association in nearly all prefectures provides free consultations. You can learn more about this service on the federation’s website.

How to Choose the Right English-Speaking Lawyer in Japan

If you need legal help as a foreigner in Japan, the first thing you should know is that the legal system isn’t quite the same as back home.

Many lawyers in Japan usually handle a variety of legal matters rather than focusing on just one area. This means that, for example, the same lawyer who helps you with a visa issue might also represent you in a contract dispute.

Here are the most important things to keep in mind when choosing an English-speaking lawyer in Japan:

• Experience: Look for someone who has worked on cases like yours before.
• English fluency: Make sure they can explain things clearly, without legal jargon.
• Accessibility: Check whether they offer in-person, phone, or online consultations.
• Fees: Find out upfront how much they charge or whether the first consultation is free.

Areas Of Law That Commonly Affect Foreigners

International Family Law

International family law covers divorce, child custody, and support arrangements. Japan handles these matters differently from most Western countries.

Japanese family courts used to award custody to only one parent in most cases. A recent change in the law now makes joint custody more common after divorce under certain conditions. That said, courts here use a mediation-heavy process that feels unfamiliar to most people from abroad, and outcomes can be unpredictable.

If your marriage is legally recognized in both Japan and your home country, you may need to complete divorce proceedings in both countries. Because of these complications, you really need a lawyer who has been through this before.

Immigration law

Immigration law covers visas, residency status, permanent residence applications, and naturalization. The process is usually quite strict and requires a lot of detailed paperwork.

Just be aware that even small mistakes in paperwork or timing can lead to serious problems with your right to stay in Japan, so choose your lawyer wisely.

Criminal law

Japan’s criminal justice system works very differently from those in Western countries. The conviction rate is over 99%, which is one of the highest among developed nations!

Police can hold a suspect for up to 23 days before pressing charges. During that time, interrogations can happen without recording and can go on for hours. This is why it's very important to contact an English-speaking Japanese lawyer as quickly as possible if you or someone close to you gets arrested.

Labor law

Labor law focuses on employment contracts, working hours, dismissals, and workplace rights. It protects Japanese workers, but for foreigners, things get more complicated because your visa is usually tied to your employer.

If you lose your job or decide to quit, you usually have only a short period to find new employment before your legal right to stay in Japan becomes compromised. You might also face problems like unpaid overtime, unfair contract terms, or abrupt termination, so choose a lawyer who has experience in all of these areas.

What to Do Before Contacting a Firm for a Consultation

Most lawyers in Japan charge by the hour, and some offer a short free consultation. Either way, showing up organized will get you better advice in less time.

Write a short summary of your situation and what has happened so far, including important dates and what you hope to achieve.

List the questions you’d like to ask during the consultation (specific questions about your situation, fees/hourly rates, timeline, etc.)

Collect important documents related to your case, such as visa papers, contracts, and official letters.

Doing these preparations will save both your and your potential lawyer’s time, but it will also save you money if they charge for the consultation.

Summary of English-Speaking Law Firms in Japan and Their Areas of Specialty