Structured Lists Directory

Overview

Major Categories of Law

The six major categories that constitute Japan's legal system. Civil Law governs rights and obligations between private parties, Criminal Law addresses crimes and punishments, Commercial Law regulates commercial transactions and companies, Labor Law governs employment relationships, Constitutional Law establishes the basic structure of the state and fundamental human rights of citizens, and Administrative Law regulates the activities of administrative agencies. These laws work together to maintain social order and justice.

law legal system civil law criminal law commercial law labor law constitutional law administrative law
code slug name description basicPrinciples enactedYear
01 civil-law Civil Law Law governing rights and obligations between private parties. ["Public Welfare","Good Faith and Fair Dealing","Prohibition of Abuse of Rights","Individual Dignity","Essential Equality of the Sexes"] 1898
02 criminal-law Criminal Law Law defining crimes and punishments. ["Principle of Legality","Principle of Legal Interest Protection","Principle of Culpability","Principle of Restraint"] 1908
03 commercial-law Commercial Law Law concerning commercial transactions and companies. ["Freedom of Business","Maintenance of Enterprises","Transaction Security","Good Faith and Fair Dealing"] 1899
04 labor-law Labor Law Law governing employment relationships. ["Minimum Standards for Working Conditions","Equal Treatment","Equal Pay for Equal Work","Prohibition of Forced Labor","Elimination of Middleman Exploitation"] 1947
05 constitutional-law Constitutional Law Fundamental law establishing the basic structure of the state and fundamental human rights. ["Popular Sovereignty","Respect for Fundamental Human Rights","Pacifism","Separation of Powers"] 1947
06 administrative-law Administrative Law Law regulating the activities of administrative agencies. ["Rule of Law","Trust Protection","Principle of Proportionality","Principle of Equality","Transparency and Disclosure","Accountability"] 1947

Six major categories of law: Civil Law, Criminal Law, Commercial Law, Labor Law, Constitutional Law, and Administrative Law.