TOKYO – Japan’s Foreign Ministry has been offering free legal consultation services in China and the Philippines for Japanese nationals who have fallen victim to crimes, as the number of such cases has increased following the resumption of international travel after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through Japanese diplomatic missions in the two countries, victims can connect with Japanese-speaking lawyers and receive legal advice, including explanations of investigations and judicial procedures.
The move came after a Japanese boy was stabbed to death in China’s Guangdong Province in September 2024, raising anxiety among Japanese residents. The ministry said violent crime is also on the rise in the Philippines, where two Japanese nationals were fatally shot in Manila last August.
With many Japanese facing difficulties navigating legal procedures due to language barriers and differences in legal systems, the ministry introduced the service in China in January last year and in the Philippines earlier this month.
Those wishing to use the service can contact a nearby diplomatic mission by email to be referred to a lawyer. They may receive consultations in person or by phone free of charge for up to three sessions per case, each lasting no more than 30 minutes, according to the ministry.
It said 2,543 criminal cases involving Japanese victims were reported overseas last year. By region, Asia accounted for 705 cases, surpassing North America’s 469 and Central and South America’s 109.
The ministry plans to expand the support, primarily in Asia, where demand is high.