According to an announcement on May 11 by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this free legal consultation service has been established to support Japanese citizens facing legal troubles or becoming victims of crime in the two aforementioned countries.
The move comes as the number of Japanese nationals traveling and working abroad surges after COVID-19 travel restrictions were eased. Cases of fraud, theft, and other crimes have shown an increase, particularly in tourism and economic hotspots.
The service will be provided through Japanese embassies and consulates in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong (China), and Manila (Philippines). Consultations will be conducted by local lawyers well-versed in the host country's laws, aiming to help Japanese citizens understand their rights and the steps to take when encountering legal issues.
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that citizens store emergency contact information for Japanese diplomatic missions in the host country and proactively reach out when in need of assistance. The service is expected to operate regularly and may expand to other nations if necessary.
