What is a Gyoseishoshi (Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist)?
A Gyoseishoshi is a nationally certified legal professional under the Japanese government. Their primary duties include preparing legal documents (both paper and digital), submitting them to government agencies on behalf of clients, and offering administrative legal consultation. They are specialized in navigating various complicated permit and administrative procedures.
In Japan, what overseas countries often refer to as “lawyers” are divided into eight distinct national legal qualifications, each responsible for specific domains:
- Bengoshi (attorney-at-law)
- Gyoseishoshi (Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist)
- Shihō Shoshi (judicial scrivener)
- Benrishi (patent attorney)
- Zeirishi (tax accountant)
- Shakai-Hoken-Rōmushi (labor and social security attorney)
- Tochi-Kaoku-Chōsa-shi (land and house investigator/surveyor)
- Kaiji-Dairishi (maritime agent)
Among these, Gyoseishoshi serve as the trusted “primary care attorneys” for individuals and small businesses, handling routine legal and administrative matters with approachability and specialization.
Main Duties
- Preparation and submission of documents to government agencies
- Examples: restaurant business permits, construction permits, used goods dealer (kobutsu-shō) licenses.
- Drafting contracts and legal agreements
- Examples: contracts, wills, inheritance distribution agreements, settlement agreements (jidan-sho).
- Support for foreign nationals
- Examples: visa applications and status changes such as Business Manager, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Specified Skilled Worker, Spouse of Japanese National, Permanent Resident, and Naturalization applications.
Visa(Residence Status)
Areas of Practice
Gyoseishoshi work across a wide range of fields, including company formation support, permit applications, visa support for foreigners, drafting wills and contracts, and conversion of agricultural land for commercial purposes. Their services are increasingly available online, supporting both paper and electronic submissions.
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