... post-war occupation, foreign lawyers were welcomed, whilst during the prelude to the Second World War and the post-occupation assertion of nationalism and independence, foreign lawyers were prejudiced against with virtual prohibition of practice. Until recently, foreign attorneys have found high barriers to practising in Japan, this being part of a protectionist trade policy. With Japan increasingly facing greater pressure from the western nations, trade barriers against legal services have started to be broken. In 1986, the Special Measures Law was passed, whilst in 1994 as part of the Uruguay Round of the GATT talks, further reform was proposed resulting in a new bill. At present, the law does not allow foreign law firms to open offices under their own name, but only that of their partners at that office. The new bill though, intends to allow firms to practice under their better known names. For lawyers to practice though, five years ...

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