Daini Tokyo Bar Association was founded in March 1926, at the end of the Taisho Era (1912-1926), approximately 60 years after the end of Japan's samurai period (the Edo Shogunate).
At the time, there were two bar associations in Tokyo, there was concern that both were engaged in power struggles and that their activities as lawyers would be inadequate.
Concerned about this, 178 lawyers, mostly young, established Daini Tokyo Bar Association.
Over the past 100 years, Daini Tokyo Bar Association has challenged “firsts in Japan” under the spirit of open-mindedness in order to reach out to those in need.
The name “Daini” never means second; it is a signature of our spirit of open-mindedness and challenge.
For the next 100 years and beyond, Daini Tokyo Bar Association will continue to seek what we can do to serve those in need, and will continuously engage in “firsts in Japan”.
Our association will celebrate its 100th anniversary on March 30, 2026. This also means that it will be the 100th anniversary of the existence of three bar associations in Tokyo.
Why are there three bar associations in Tokyo? Originally, it seems that differences in ideas about what lawyers and bar associations should be like had led to the split of the then only bar association in Tokyo more than 100 years ago. That split is now the basis for the three bar associations to provide quality services to citizens through friendly competition among one another, by taking advantage of their respective strengths.
The unique strengths of our association are that it is free, vigorous, and full of pioneer spirits. We will strive to continue to provide quality services to the public ahead of other bar associations in Japan, by actively responding to the needs of the times. In this regard, I would like to thank everyone for their continued support thus far, and would be grateful if you could continue supporting us for many more years to come.
On March 30, 2026, Daini Tokyo Bar Association (“Niben”) will commemorate its 100th anniversary.
Although Niben was the third bar association in Tokyo and one of the latecomers in Japan, it has contributed greatly to the realization of social justice and the protection of human rights over the past nearly 100 years. In particular, Niben has played a leading role in new fields of law not only in Tokyo but also in Japan, and has been recognized as the “pioneer” for its forward-thinking spirit.
Why has Niben been able to remain a pioneer from its founding to the present?
In any society, laws and systems are sometimes lacking or inadequate, even though they are demanded by society and by people. I think the key point was that Niben was always a frontrunner, thinking and working to improve the situation, rather than accepting it.
The establishment of the Arbitration Center, the elimination of the overpopulation of lawyers, the promotion of female legal professionals, and the advancement of the law school system are just a few examples that are endless in number.
For Niben, with over 7,000 members, to play a leading role as a “pioneer” for the next 100 years, Niben should reexamine the reason for its existence and practice to respond to this demand.
The 100th anniversary of Niben's founding provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on this issue. There are many events planned, and we hope that many of you will join us.