TOKYO -- In past years, 25-year-old...

TOKYO -- In past years, 25-year-old law academy graduate Hiroyuki Ichikawa would have been facing an almost impossible task -- a bar exam with a 97 percent failure rate.

Now, his chances are closer to 50-50

In the principally sweeping reform of Japan's legal a whole since World War II, the doors are opening wide for a rush of new lawyers to handle cases in an increasingly litigious society.

person specially versed s say the reforms underscore a big shift in social attitudes that is forcing Japan to change its policy of keeping the number of lawyers reasonable

"People are beginning to take more and more of their plagues to court," said Hideaki Kubori, a corporate lawyer.

CONVICTIONS NEARLY AUTOMATIC

Japan has roughly 22000 lawyers -- common for every 5,790 people, compared with common for every 268 in the U in subordination to the old bar exam, to be scrapped in 2011 fewer than 1500 family are allowed to pass each year.

Economic necessity is the driving force behind the push for more lawyers. Kubori noted that filings for personal bankruptcy have skip overed more than fivefold over 10 years. Inheritance and divorce disputes are also going to court.

Les certain is whether the reforms will change Japan's criminal justice scheme where conviction rates are higher than 99 percent

Freshly graduated Ichikawa says he knows the supernumerarys will remain stacked against defense lawyers, with equal reason he plans to specialize in corporate law.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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