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Judges, public prosecutors and attorneys

How to become a Public Prosecutor

After an investigation, decides whether to charge a suspect, proves the case at trial for those charged and asks the court for a just ruling.

Workers in this job say a master's degree or university is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

There are two main kinds of public prosecutor: prosecutors and assistant prosecutors. To be appointed as a prosecutor you must first become eligible to sit the bar exam in one of three ways: (1) graduating from law school, (2) meeting certain conditions while studying at law school, or (3) passing the preliminary bar exam. You must then pass the bar exam. After about one year of legal training and passing the final exam, you are qualified to become a judge, prosecutor or lawyer. Prosecutors are chosen from applicants who stand out for their ability, aptitude, character and judgement. Assistant prosecutors, who as a rule handle only relatively minor cases, are appointed from among prosecutor's office clerks and others after a selection exam. For about the first five years, prosecutors generally build experience at district public prosecutors offices. After that, depending on their aptitude and wishes, they may be posted to district offices around the country, overseas training, the Ministry of Justice or elsewhere. As a rule, only public prosecutors have the power to decide whether to charge a suspect. To get to the truth of a case, prosecutors need persistence, firm will, careful analysis and calm judgement.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Public Prosecutor?

There are two main kinds of public prosecutor: prosecutors and assistant prosecutors. To be appointed as a prosecutor you must first become eligible to sit the bar exam in one of three ways: (1) graduating from law school, (2) meeting certain conditions while studying at law school, or (3) passing the preliminary bar exam. You must then pass the bar exam. After about one year of legal training and passing the final exam, you are qualified to become a judge, prosecutor or lawyer. Prosecutors are chosen from applicants who stand out for their ability, aptitude, character and judgement. Assistant prosecutors, who as a rule handle only relatively minor cases, are appointed from among prosecutor's office clerks and others after a selection exam. For about the first five years, prosecutors generally build experience at district public prosecutors offices. After that, depending on their aptitude and wishes, they may be posted to district offices around the country, overseas training, the Ministry of Justice or elsewhere. As a rule, only public prosecutors have the power to decide whether to charge a suspect. To get to the truth of a case, prosecutors need persistence, firm will, careful analysis and calm judgement.

Do you need a degree to become a Public Prosecutor?

Usually. In this job's census occupation group, 99% of workers are university graduates.

Will AI change the work of a Public Prosecutor?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026