Finding Japanese laws: e-Gov Laws, English translations and the Kanpo
e-Gov Laws and Regulations, the government's official law database, holds the consolidated current text of Japan's constitution, acts, cabinet orders and ministerial ordinances. The Ministry of Justice's Japanese Law Translation database publishes unofficial English translations of selected laws. New laws are promulgated in the Kanpo, the Official Gazette. Fact-checkers use them to confirm what a law says and when it took effect.
What it publishes
- Current consolidated texts of acts, cabinet orders and ministerial ordinances, with amendment history (e-Gov).
- English translations of selected laws and a standard bilingual dictionary of legal terms (Japanese Law Translation).
- Promulgation of laws, cabinet orders and public notices in the Official Gazette (Kanpo).
Key datasets
- e-Gov Laws and Regulations search
Search by law name, number or keyword; shows current text and future amendments.
- Japanese Law Translation
English translations of selected laws with the Japanese text alongside.
- Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs
Japan's freedom of information law (Act No. 42 of 1999).
APIs and downloads
- e-Gov Laws APIe-Gov offers downloads and an API for law data; the site gives the current documentation.
- Kanpo (Official Gazette)Recent gazette issues free online; the full archive is a paid service.
When it publishes
The Kanpo is published every government working day. e-Gov updates consolidated texts after amendments are promulgated. Translations are updated on their own schedule and may not reflect the latest amendment.
How to use it to check a claim
- Quote the law's official number (for example Act No. 42 of 1999) as well as its name, since English names vary.
- Use e-Gov for the binding Japanese text and check the 'as of' date; use translations only as a guide.
- For when a provision took effect, check the supplementary provisions at the end of the law.
Common mistakes
- English translations are unofficial and may be out of date.
- e-Gov can show amendments not yet in force; check which version applies on the date in question.
Is there an official English version of Japanese laws?
No. The Ministry of Justice publishes translations for reference only; the Japanese text on e-Gov is authoritative.
How do I make an information disclosure request in Japan?
Under the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, you send a request to the administrative organ that holds the document. The Act sets a 30-day response limit, extendable by 30 days, and a fee set by Cabinet Order.
Questions answered using this source
Links checked 14 October 2026. This page describes what the source publishes and gives no verdict on any claim.