On May 21, 2026, the amended Civil Procedure Code (Act No. 48 of 2022) takes full effect in Japan. This article explains five practical points — including mandatory e-filing via mints, electronic judgments, and online case records — that pro se litigants and corporate legal teams should know before launch.
Phased Rollout Timeline
The amended Code passed in 2022 and has been implemented in phases: - March 2023: Web-based preparatory proceedings and settlement conferences - March 2024: Web participation in oral arguments - May 21, 2026: e-filing of complaints, electronic judgments, online record access, and electromagnetic records as direct evidence
Point 1: Mandatory e-Filing via mints (Article 132-11)
Article 132-11 requires attorneys (and certain certified legal professionals) to file complaints, briefs, and exhibits electronically, primarily through the Supreme Court's "mints" (Minji Saiban Shorui Denshi Teishutsu System).
What mints handles
- Complaints and counter-claims
- Briefs and statements
- Exhibits (PDF documents)
- Notices of appeal and motion documents
Exceptions
- Pro se litigants (parties without counsel)
- Attorneys facing system outages or other unavoidable causes
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Try for free →Point 2: Electronic Judgments and Service (Article 252 et al.)
Judgments will now be issued as electronic judgment documents (PDF), and service may be effected by system notification.
| Item | Old | New |
|---|---|---|
| Judgment format | Paper original | Electronic (PDF) |
| Service | Special postal service | System notification + download |
| Confirmation | Receipt seal | Access log |
| Appeal period start | Receipt date | Date judgment becomes accessible in the system |
Because the two-week appeal window under Article 285 begins on the date of system availability, attorneys and parties must monitor the system regularly to avoid missed deadlines.
Point 3: Online Case Records (Article 91-2)
Previously, case records had to be inspected in paper at the court clerk's office. Going forward, parties and counsel can access records online — view, download (copy), and search by keyword.
Third-party access still requires demonstrating a legitimate interest and obtaining clerk approval, as before.
Point 4: Electromagnetic Records as Direct Evidence (Article 231-2)
Previously, electronic data had to be printed on paper to be admitted as a document exhibit. Article 231-2 now permits electromagnetic records themselves to be subjects of evidence-taking.
Likely use cases
- Raw LINE / SNS / email data
- Video and audio files
- Database / log files
- Blockchain records
Authenticity will be supported through hash values, timestamps, and digital signatures.
Point 5: Impact on Pro Se Litigants
Pro se parties may continue to file paper documents. However: - If the opposing party is represented, opposing briefs arrive via mints — pro se parties need a way to access them - Whether to receive judgments electronically remains an option (paper service remains available) - Web participation in hearings is permitted for pro se parties as well
Recommended practice
- Visit the court clerk's office for procedural guidance before filing
- Consider obtaining a mints viewer account to monitor your own case
- If the opposing party is represented, supplement system use with email coordination
Preparation Checklist for Law Firms
- mints registration (firm-level account with the Supreme Court system)
- Digital signature certificate (My Number Card or qualified certificate from a professional CA)
- Standard operating procedures for paper-to-PDF conversion
- Electronic judgment monitoring protocol to never miss the appeal window
Notes for Corporate Legal Teams
- Confirm outside counsel's mints readiness
- Establish internal rules for sharing electronic case records
- Define long-term retention policies for electronic evidence (email, chat, logs)
- Align electronic contract platforms with litigation evidence requirements (audit trail preservation)
International Comparison
| Country | Adoption | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | Since 2010 | Near-total mandatory e-filing for attorneys |
| Singapore | Since 2000 | Earliest in Asia, now exploring AI judicial support |
| United States | PACER/CM-ECF (federal) | Attorney e-filing is standard |
| Japan | Full launch May 21, 2026 | mints-based; pro se paper option retained |
Transition Risks and Mitigations
Expect: - mints traffic spikes and outages right after launch - Missed appeal deadlines from oversight of electronic judgment notifications - Confusion in mixed cases (one represented party, one pro se) - Temporary fallback to paper for attorneys without digital signatures
Mitigate by: - Tightening calendar control on appeal/cassation deadlines immediately after launch - Completing mints training and manuals before May 21 - Pre-establishing emergency contact lines with court clerks for system outages
Outlook
Future evolution likely includes AI-assisted judicial support, expansion of online ADR, integration with international IP e-litigation systems, and stronger personal-data safeguards for online record access.
Conclusion
The May 21, 2026 full launch is a landmark digital transition in Japanese civil justice. Attorneys must adopt mints; corporate legal teams must integrate electronic evidence preservation and case-record workflows; pro se litigants benefit from a paper option but should anticipate electronic interactions with represented opponents.
For matters involving the new system, consult an attorney experienced in IT litigation.
