The Japan Women's Bar Association (the “Association”) is a nationwideorganization founded in 1950 and comprised of women's lawyers, judges,prosecutors, and scholars. Currently, the association has about 800 members.
Purpose and Activities:
As a group of women legal experts, we are working for developing a fair,harmonious, and vibrant society governed by laws, as well as improving status ofwomen. We also promote mutual friendship among members.
Core Activities:① Research on women's status, justice system and laws as well as publication ofopinions in connection with them
② Exchange with foreign lawyers③ Liaison with other women's organizations④ Legal consultation by bar association members
Profile:The first female legal profession in Japan was established in 1940, when threefemale lawyers were appointed. The Association was established in 1950, based on
the suggestion of Ms. Mary Eastering, a female lawyer from the United States who
was at the LS Department of Legal Affairs of GHQ at that time; more than 10women, consists of female lawyers, judges, and prosecutors as well as university
law researchers, started this association.
Upon its establishment, the Association became a member of the International
Federation of Women Lawyers. To date, the Association has served as Japanesebranch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, and we have sent someJapanese delegates to the United Nations.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers is registered with a nongovernmental organization (NGO), an advisory body to the UN Economic andSocialCouncil.
Office of Japan Women’s Bar Association
811 Studio Toranomon, 3-18-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001 Japan
TEL +81-3-3578-1981
FAX +81-3-3437-6188
Mail to: ICD45507@nifty.com
URL: https://j-wba.org1

Our organization and operation:Officers (elected at the general meeting for a term of two years)
President:
1 personVice-President:
4 personsSecretary:
approximately 20 persons
Accounting Audit:
2 members
Annual General Meeting:Once a year
Board of Secretaries:
10 to 12 times per year
We have an Osaka Branch, organized by members within the jurisdiction of theOsaka High Court.
Who can be a member?
Female lawyer, judge, public prosecutor, professors of law or associate professorsof law at universities may become a member upon the approval of the board of
secretaries is necessary.
Female legal apprentice may become an associate member upon the approval of theboard of secretariat.
Junior membership system is for junior high and high students, university students,
law graduate students, etc.
How to apply?
Download the application form from the Japan Women's Bar Association website orcontact the Office of the Japan Women's Bar Association (Mailto:ICD45507@nifty.com)

Fee:
Admission fee 3,000 yen
Membership fee: 10,000 yen(annual)
The fee shall be half for three years after admission.

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Activities
1LectureIn addition to special lectures held along with our annual general assembly, weorganize several lectures a year, inviting specialists of various fields as speakers..
For the 2022 general assembly, the special lecture theme was “Artificial Intelligenceand the Constitution”.
2ResearchWe choose timely themes and organize workshops, lectures, and submit ouropinions and requests to government entities for law reform.
Lately, the studied theme are the Juvenile Law and Constitutional issues.
3
Supporting the younger generation
Once a year, we hold seminars to support the career development of young female
lawyers, including legal apprentices and law students.
4
Legal Consultation Services
Experienced practitioners provide legal advice (two days a week) at a local
women's center. We provide one-day free counseling services once a year in Tokyo.
5
Internal exchange
In 2021, a project team for the improvement of internal exchange has been
implemented and organized working sessions and online events to improve theexchange and relationship between fellow members.
6Exchange with other organizations
We are also engaged in exchanges with international organizations, governmentrelated organizations, and private organizations including the followings;
International Women's Year Liaison Group- As part of the National Women's Committee of The United Nations NGOs,
we send representatives to the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly- Participation in the Liaison Conference of Gender Equality Bureau Cabinet
Office② LAWASIA and Japan Federation of Bar Associations③ Japan Women Tax Accountants’ Federation①

7Dispatch and introduction of instructors
We dispatch and introduce lecturers and legal counselors in response to requests
from local governments and other organizations.
8
Public Relations Activities
We report our activities and announcement of our events by our annual bulletins,online new letters (twice a year), website, and mailing list.
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<Recent Major Activities and Events>◇Achievements of members2010 Ms. Kiyoko Okabe became a Supreme Court Justice2013 Ms. Kaoru Onimaru became a Supreme Court Justice2015 Ms.Yoko Hayashi became the Chairman of the Committee on theElimination of Discrimination Against Women of the United Nations
2017 Ms. Mikiko Otani became the Member of the United Nations Committee
on the Rights of the Child.
◇ Submission of Written Opinions, etc.
2020-22 Request for the early introduction of the selective surname system formarried couples, and proposed amendments to the system
2021 Written Opinion Opposing the Juvenile Law Revision Bill
Written request for the appointment of a female Supreme Court justice
Public comments (opinions) on the interim draft regarding the revision ofthe parent-child legal system
2022 Declaration on Constitutional Issues◇ Lectures and Workshops
2020 Roundtable of External Officers (1st) / Lecture on Trust Law / Legal
profession Joint Workshop
2021 In-Depth Seminar regarding the profession of in-house Lawyer /Launchof the Constitutional Issue Study Group/Joint Workshop with Women's
Tax Federation/Members' Gathering (Cross-Industry Exchange/Children’srepresentation in procedure/Work Style Reform for Doctors)
2022 Roundtable of External Officers (2nd)◇ Exchange with foreign lawyers
2019 Symposiums with UK barristers/UN tour/ Observation of the United Nations
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women / Visit to the WTO
and the International Criminal Court◇ Anniversary programs
60th Anniversary Symposium (2010): Future of Diversifying Lifestyles andLaws
70th anniversary Symposium (2021), To the future of coexistence (insymbiosis)- Leave no One behind4