Breaking Barriers: Women Lawyers in TKI
Breaking Barriers: Women Lawyers in TKI
The legal profession in Japan has traditionally been a male-dominated field, reflecting broader societal norms and historical gender disparities. In fact, until the early 20th century, the Lawyers Law, 1893 made being a ‘male Japanese national’ a pre-requisite for a person to qualify as a practicing lawyer. The law was amended in 1933 (effective 1936) to delete the reference to ‘male’, thus allowing all Japanese nationals to practice law regardless of gender. The first 19 women who wrote the national bar exam in 1936 all failed, and it was not until 1938 that three women – Ai Kume, Masako Tanaka (Nakata) and Yoshiko Mutoh (Mibuchi) – made history by becoming the first ever women to qualify into the Japanese bar1. Despite this, the number of women in the legal profession remained marginal in the decades since as cultural norms emphasizing traditional gender roles, combined with demanding work environments, created significant barriers to entry and advancement for women.
However, recent years have seen a gradual transformation, with women increasingly making their mark in private practice. From 3.1% in 19802, according to recent statistics, women comprised approximately 20.2% of Japan’s legal professionals in 20253, a substantial increase from previous decades. However, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles, highlighting the persistence of a glass ceiling. Some of the hurdles faced by women lawyers in Japan include the following:
- Work-Life Balance: The long hours associated with private practice make it difficult for women to balance professional and personal responsibilities, including but not limited to child-bearing and caring and family caregiving.
- Limited Mentorship: A lack of female mentors in senior roles can hinder career development for aspiring women lawyers.
- Cultural Bias: Subtle but pervasive biases continue to shape perceptions of women’s roles in the workplace.
While challenges remain, firms like Tokyo International Law Office (TKI) are at the forefront of this change, setting new benchmarks for gender diversity and inclusion.
TKI’s Leadership in Promoting Women Lawyers
Tokyo International Law Office (TKI) has emerged as a trailblazer in advancing gender diversity within the legal profession in Japan. The firm’s commitment to empowering women is evident in both its hiring practices and leadership structure.
Women in TKI: Numbers That Speak Volumes
TKI’s impressive gender diversity metrics are as follows:
- Percentage of Women Lawyers: approx. 30% of TKI’s legal team comprises women.
- Women Partners: Women constitute nearly 30% of TKI’s partnership, setting a benchmark for inclusion in leadership roles, an extraordinary feat for a law firm founded only in 2019.
These figures reflect TKI’s strategy to attract, retain, and promote talented women lawyers, creating a supportive environment where they can thrive.
Transforming the Legal Landscape
By demonstrating the tangible benefits of diversity—including improved decision-making, innovation, and client satisfaction—TKI is challenging the status quo and inspiring an industry-wide change.
The success of women lawyers at TKI has broader implications for gender equality in Japan. As more firms adopt inclusive practices, the legal profession can play a pivotal role in reshaping societal attitudes toward women’s leadership.
Inspiring the Next Generation
TKI’s commitment to diversity extends beyond its own walls. The firm actively engages with universities, law schools, and professional organizations to inspire and support the next generation of lawyers, including women. Through internships, scholarships, workshops and networking events, TKI is helping to build a pipeline of talent that will sustain progress in the years to come.
The state of women lawyers in private practice in Japan is improving, but significant work remains to achieve true gender parity. Firms like Tokyo International Law Office (TKI) are leading the change, proving that inclusivity and excellence go hand in hand. With its significant representation of women lawyers and partners, TKI aims to pave the way for a more equitable legal profession.
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1 Yoko Hayashi, Women in the Legal Profession in Japan, US-Japan Women’s Journal. English Supplement No.2 (1992) p 16-27.
2 Jessica Seah, “Even in Japan, Law Firms Boost Diversity Initiatives to Attract Women Lawyers”, Law.com, November 12, 2020 (https://www.law.com/international-edition/2020/11/12/even-in-japan-law-firms-boost-diversity-initiatives-to-attract-women-lawyers/?slreturn=2024121014703).
3 Japan Bar Association, “The Number of Registered Attorneys per Local Bar Association”, January 1, 2025. (https://www.nichibenren.or.jp/library/pdf/jfba_info/membership/members.pdf)