Education

The Justice System Reform Council issued the Recommendations in June 2001 advocating enhancements in opportunities to learn about the justice system in school education, etc. and encouraging legal professionals to play a more active role. Even prior to this, attorneys conducted education for the public at large on a broad range of legal issues, not only on the justice system.

In 2002, the JFBA began to engage in "law-related education," which teaches the basic value of law and legal approaches. As Japanese society moves its focus drastically away from administrative control in advance to judicial remedy after-the-fact, it is more urgent than ever that the general public, particularly children who lead the future society, understand the role and value of the law and the importance of participating in the legal process, and acquire the skills necessary to take independent action in accordance with the legal principles.

In connection with this, the JFBA has formulated and implemented law-related education policies, conducted information exchanges with legal professionals, educators, and others, studied and developed law-related education materials to be used in schools, and also supervised the publication of picture books regarding laws to educate primary school children. In addition, it has advocated the establishment of law-related education programs in local bar associations, has conducted training for attorneys and teachers, and has also performed international studies.

Local bar associations, in coordination with schools, work on providing classes where attorneys teach in schools, summer school and junior law school programs which provide law-related education to children invited from the public, and training for teachers. The JFBA collects related information and provides them with various supports.