In June 2008, a project team (PT) to assist new attorneys who intend to be solo practitioners was launched within the Center for Planning and Promotion of Legal Services of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA). The PT is providing technical assistance as listed below, mainly through providing information, for new attorneys who intend to be solo practitioners immediately or within one year after their admission to the bar.

1. In August 2008, a mailing list was created which provides assistance for new attorneys establishing solo practices, such as answering questions on preparation for establishing solo practices and case handling as well as allowing exchanges of opinions.
2. In September 2008, the tutoring system was established, under which experienced attorneys give advice on case handling, office management, and other issues.
3. In December 2008, the “Manual for Immediate and Early Establishment of a Solo Practice” was published, which focused on how to establish a solo practice without funds. A revised edition with additional comments from attorneys in rural areas was published in September 2009.
4. In December 2008, a report was published, which compiled experiences of attorneys who became solo practitioners immediately or soon after their admission to the bar. A revised edition was published with more experiences in September 2009.
5. In February 2009, the “Attorney Practices Q&A” was published, which covered overall practices of attorneys with a focus on basic matters.
6. An e-learning program, “Know-How to Open a Law Office,” was established.
7. For judicial apprentices who are planning to become solo practitioners immediately or soon after their admission to the bar, the PT holds consultation meetings.

In addition to the activities mentioned above, the PT conducted surveys on the number of attorneys who became solo practitioners immediately after their admission to the bar, and their actual situation as well as holding meetings between tutor attorneys and tutees (new attorneys) in order to seek effective assistance corresponding to the needs of new attorneys intending to be solo practitioners immediately after their admission to the bar. The PT also requests local bar associations to improve and consider their assistance in establishing solo practices.
It is necessary to enhance support for new attorneys who intend to be solo practitioners as well as judicial apprentices who are reluctantly planning to be solo practitioners due to sever job hunting conditions but have not started any concrete preparation. The number of new attorneys and judicial apprentices planning on becoming solo practitioners will likely increase in the future. More opportunities for on-the-job-training should also be created. For these purposes, the JFBA, in collaboration with local bar associations, should improve its network to share information and system to give advice in order to provide sufficient information and coordinate technical and financial assistance in establishing solo practices.