Judicial Scrivener Day

What Is Judicial Scrivener Day?

August 3rd is "Shiho Shoshi no Hi" (Judicial Scrivener Day) in Japan. It was established in 2010 by the Japan Federation of Shiho-Shoshi's Associations to commemorate the 3rd day of the 8th month of Meiji 5 (1872) under the old lunar calendar, when the "Shiho Shokumu Teisei" (Judicial Duties Regulation) was issued, creating the "daishonin" (scrivener) system — the forerunner of today's judicial scriveners.

Three Professions Born From the Judicial Duties Regulation

The Judicial Duties Regulation, drawing on the French legal system and others, was established as a law of 22 chapters and 108 articles. It created three professions that would go on to support Japan's legal system.

• Shoshonin: the forerunner of today's notaries public
• Daishonin: responsible for preparing documents such as complaints for submission to courts, the forerunner of today's judicial scriveners
• Daigennin: the forerunner of today's attorneys

From "Daishonin" to "Shiho Shoshi"

After the Judicial Scriveners Act of 1919, the profession took the name "shiho shoshi" (judicial scrivener) with a 1935 amendment. Since 2003, certified judicial scriveners have also been able to represent clients in summary courts. Today it is a profession firmly established in tasks closely tied to everyday life, including real estate and commercial registration and preparing documents for court submission. The profession marked its 150th anniversary in 2022.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Learn about the role that judicial scriveners play
• Learn about everyday procedures involving judicial scriveners, such as real estate registration and inheritance paperwork
• Trace the history of judicial system reform in the early Meiji era
• Check for free consultations or events held by local judicial scrivener associations

A Profession That Has Supported Citizens' Legal Lives for Over 150 Years

Judicial scriveners stand between citizens and public institutions like courts and legal affairs bureaus, quietly supporting people through complex legal procedures. Let August 3rd be a day to reflect on the history and role of this profession, born in the early years of the Meiji era.