Japan clarifies AI legal limits and plans expert panel to draft rules
New guidance says some business legal tasks would, in principle, not constitute unauthorised legal practice when AI is not designed for disputes and safeguards prevent misuse.
- Japan's Ministry of Justice will establish an expert panel by next March to draft rules for the use of AI in business-related legal services, with implementation targeted for fiscal 2028.
- The ministry has issued new guidelines clarifying that certain AI-assisted tasks, such as document preparation and research for businesses, do not constitute unauthorized legal practice.
- The guidelines specify that AI systems designed for lawsuits or disputes are excluded, and that safeguards like lawyer supervision are required for permissible uses.
Japan’s Ministry of Justice plans to establish a panel by next March to draw up rules for the use of artificial intelligence in business-related legal services during fiscal 2027.
The ministry intends to introduce the rules as early as fiscal 2028.
Judges and lawyers will serve alongside business representatives, consumer protection specialists and experts in law and AI.
The initiative is intended to further promote the use of AI in legal work for businesses.
The ministry also issued guidelines on Friday (August 21) explaining which forms of AI assistance would not, in principle, amount to unauthorised legal practice under the Attorneys Act.
The scope covers support for shareholders’ meetings and business restructuring, along with whistleblowing investigations, document preparation and literature research.
Whether a service falls within that scope depends on the model and the safeguards surrounding its use.
Systems built for lawsuits or other disputes, or equipped with features or functions for such work, are excluded.
Controls must also be in place to prevent inappropriate use.
The ministry cited lawyer supervision of AI services and the creation of enquiry and reporting channels as examples of safeguards.
It will review the guidelines as AI technology advances.
Discussion of possible responses has been under way in a ministry working group since March, following rapid advances in AI.
The ministry’s previous guidelines, issued in 2023, dealt with AI-based services supporting contract documentation.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
